Question

Is there some way to boot a Linux system from a VHD in Windows 7?

If there is a way, how do I put it there in the first place?

EDIT: To clarify, I'm not trying to run Linux in a VM. I'm trying to boot it in my physical machine, from a VHD, as I can do with Windows 7.

Answer 1

You cannot. In Windows VHD support is integrated in boot process and Linux does not offer such support. Additionally, I am not aware that Linux supports booting from any other virtual disk type.

Answer 2

it is possible to use a disk image as a root device, but compiling this into the kernel or the bootloader is somewhat tricky. Since the VHD specification is freely available, extending lilo or grub or the linux kernel to give a vhd the same status as a .iso or .img or other disk image file should be a simple matter of programming, taking you no more than a year or two of weekends and evenings. Then you'll be a hero, and after your patches are accepted into the main line kernel source you are eligible to get a Tux tattoo.

Answer 3

You can try converting the VHD into VMDK (for VMWare products), and then try booting from there.

You just need to open the VHD with a VMWare product (even the free VMWare player will work), and VMWare will convert it to VMDK for you.

You might need to tweak the Linux system to operate fully in the new VMWare environment though.

Answer 4

Do you mean running an existing Linux System in a virtual machine?

If yes this might be the answer: http://www.windley.com/archives/2007/08/p2v%5Fhow%5Fto%5Fmake%5Fa%5Fphysical%5Flinux%5Fbox%5Finto%5Fa%5Fvirtual%5Fmachine.shtml

Answer 5

lol this is a late reply, but you could try the WUBI installer or unetbootin. They don't use VHD files, although they do allow you to boot a few linux distros without any partitioning as long as you have a copy of the cd or iso.