Installing Windows Developer Preview via VHD (Part 2)

Now that you have created a VHD, let me guide you as you install Windows Developer Preview in it.  To start with you need to have a bootable version of the Windows Developer Preview.  Using  the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool, transfer the contents of the Windows Developer Preview ISO file in a removable media of your choice (DVD or USB).  After creating your bootable DVD or USB, you can now start the deployment / installation process.

First set your PC to boot from your removable media.  Some PCs has a hotkey to select where the PC  will boot up during boot up, otherwise you have to manually modify the boot sequence in the BIOS (if you’re new in this procedure I suggest you read this entry first http://www.whitecanyon.com/how-to-change-boot-order.php)  After modifying your BIOS your PC will restart and will automatically boot from your removable media.

Upon seeing this dialogue box press Shift + F10 to call up your command prompt and to attach your VHD.

In your command prompt, type in diskpart and hit the Enter key.

Next you must select and attach the VHD where you want to install the Windows Developer Preview. (Please refer to the screenshot below.

Upon entering Diskpart type in select vdisk file e:\wdp.vhd (the file and the path may vary depending on the VHD name and its location)

Next, to attach the VHD type in attach vdisk and wait for the message that says “DiskPart successfully attached the virtual disk file.

After attaching / mounting your VHD type in exit to leave DiskPart.

Back to the X:\Sources> type in setup to begin the installation of your Windows Developer Preview.

Read and accept the license terms and click Next.

Select the Custom (advanced) type of installation.

Select the destination of your Windows Developer Preview (in this case the VHD that you have created) and click Next.

Your PC will restart after installation and you will see this new OS selection screen with a GUI (not the traditional one)

Hooray! You have now installed the Windows Developer Preview in your VHD. Enjoy and explore this preview of the next Windows operating system.

Post installation screenshots and personalization.

Finally after completing the configuration settings,  here’s the eye catchy Start menu of the Windows Developer Preview.

My first Windows 8 journey @_@ epic failed :P

Hi, Windows 8 is just around and everybody is waiting for its debut.  After the Build conference where Steven Sinofsky showed the future OS, Microsoft is generous enough to give us the Developers Preview of Windows 8.  I just downloaded the developers preview of Windows 8 and planned to deploy it via virtual machine.  Since I don’t want to mess up with my Windows 7, I will be installing it via Virtual PC.  To my excitement I created a new virtual machine, set it to 20GB capacity with a 1GB of RAM. I proceeded with the setup and surprise! after few seconds here’s what I got:

It appears Virtual PC doesn’t support the Developer’s Preview of Windows 8.  After searching the cloud and some forums, VMWare and Virtual Box is recommended to run Windows 8 via virtual machine. 

This is my first blog in Windows 8, join me as we explore the possibilities and rich features of this OS.  As I’m writing this blog, I’m currently downloading Virtual Box for my second attempt to run Windows 8 via virtual machine. :)

Sync, Share, Access with Mesh

If you are really that lazy to backup your files into an external media / storage (Flash drive, CD, DVD, external hard drive), your files might still have hope to be saved just in case you accidentally deleted them or your system have crashed.  A solution for you is just a click away in the Mesh!  Well, the Mesh offers an on-line storage of 5GB for your important and subversive files (hehehe).  What really the Mesh can do is to copy (backup) your local files and folders and syncs them every time you are connected in the internet.  So you don’t have to worry about your most important and precious files because it updates and syncs regularly.

Here’s how to do it:
1.  Go to www.mesh.live.com

2.  Sign in using your Windows Live ID (your Live Account or Hotmail account will do) or just sign up if you don’t have one.

3.  After signing in, select the Add device (the one with the big + sign), Select your OS, then click install.  Your browser will download the Live Mesh installer into your PC, install it then you’re ready to begin!

4.  After installation you may now start to select your most precious files and folders that you want to sync to your Live Mesh Account.

5.  What you have to do is to right click on that folder and you can see an option “Add folder to Live Mesh…” click on it and you’re done! (Folder color will turn to blue once successfully added to the Mesh)

Now after adding that folder in the Mesh you’ll never have to worry because every time you add a file in that folder the Mesh will automatically sync it and save that file into the web. 

One more thing that I like with the Live Mesh is that I can always access my files wherever I go, I’ll just need to go to a computer with an internet connection and eureka! I can easily access my files! It’s just like having a 5GB flash drive only It’s virtual!  hehehe

So folks, what are you waiting for create your own Live Mesh account now, and start having that virtual flash drive now! :D

P.S.  You might wonder in the OS choices you can’t see Windows 7, just select Windows Vista, XP-32 Bit (if you have 32-bit OS) and Windows Vista 64-bit (If you have a 64-bit OS) and it will do just fine.