Problem installing W2k3 Server on XP host

For testing purposes, I am trying to install windows 2003 Server on Parallels Workstation for Windows (XP) from a bootable CD containing the setup files.

I boot into a DR-DOS environment, change into the I386 directory on the CD, and invoke WINNT. The setup fails because there is no place for swap space. I can understand that, as there is only the virtual HD available. Is there any way to circumvent this? Should I prepare ("format") the virtual disk somehow?

 

Karhyv

I dont quite understand what you mean by DR-DOS environment. Whenever you create a new VM in Parallels, you specify the type of guest OS (Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, OS/2, etc), and the sub-type (win 3.11, 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, etc).

After that, you assing the virtual size of the hard disk (by default, 8000 mb),. as well as the boot options (CD, Floppy, HD, etc).

I recommend you to create a new VM under the win2k sub type, assign its hard disk size, assign the CD (either linking to an ISO image of your installation, or a phisical CD drive), configure it so it can boot from the CD, and then run it - I am sure the installation will be smooth and painless; dont forget to format the HDD on the installation --- dont worry, it will not format your phisical HD, it will only format the assigned virtual HD.

 

Hello Constantine,

The CD is a bootable DR-DOS disk where I just copied the setup files. It just occurred to me that I should perhaps first FDISK and FORMAT the virtual disk before running WINNT...