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I happened to find the Paragon Go Virtual free P2V migration tool when trying to find a disk image back up tool for my notebook. This free tool is designed for desktops only and only works with the following OSes:

• Windows 7 (32/64-bit)
• Windows Vista (32/64-bit)
• Windows XP (32/64-bit)
• Windows 2000 Professional

Here are some self described key features per the web site:

“Full Windows OS Support - Guaranteed support for any Windows operating system since Win2K (excluding server editions).

P2V Migration - Migrate a physical system to a virtual environment by converting all installed software and data into a virtual disk of the required virtual machine.

Migration without rebooting Windows - Hot processing of locked (in-use) hard disks lets you migrate a computer without rebooting and interrupting Windows.

P2V Adjust OS to recover the startup ability after unsuccessful virtualization with a 3rd party tool and to make Windows Vista/7 backups bootable on virtual hardware.

Smart Driver Injector - Makes the process of adding new drivers smooth and easy.

Performance – Paragon Go Virtual performs approximately 20% faster (your results may vary).

P2V adjust OS – Freeware tools will not adjust the OS to virtual hardware, leaving the user unable to boot their virtual machine. Go Virtual adjusts the OS so the virtual machine will boot successfully.

Selection of virtual hardware – Go Virtual offers the user a selection of virtual hardware types. Freeware tools typically do not.

Migration of offline systems - Freeware tools support the migration of operating systems currently running, but they have problems migrating offline operating systems, especially when there are more than one OS on the disk. Go Virtual performs these operations with ease.”

Also per the Paragon web site:

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The Twitter game
Back once again.
A little challenge
For VMWorld 2010.

Started last year.
Some thought strange
At VMworld 2009
And Partner Exchange.

Here’s the rules.
Hope you play.
Use three words
Whatever you say.

Hashtags are allowed.
Apostrophes are free.
Always use tag #vmworld3word.
above = 3.

Count symbols, numbers,
as word substitutes.
punctuation doesn’t count.
emoticons I’ll excuse

RTs are encouraged
to link conversations.
Here’s an example
“RT @twittername(s): to link conversations #othertag #vmworld3word>” note various exceptions

Slang is permitted
if commonly used.
There’s lotsa grey
gotta carefully choose.

The contest begins
On WUPaaS Sunday.
Join, you must
Yoda would say

Tweet when inspired.
Not every time.
Make it fun
without the rhymes

I was told
around the Moscone
screens will display.
Honest, no bologna.

If they do
Look for mine.
Tweet your own.
try to outshine!

This little ditty
shows game intent.
Clear as mud?
Leave a comment!

For those attending VMWorld 2010 in San Francisco, CA, On Wednesday September 1 at 1:00 PM PST take a break from the sessions and stop by to meet VIRTUMANIA and Infosmack personalities Marc Farley, Rick Vanover, and me in person on the VMWorld 2010 Solutions Exchange floor. The Veeam and 3PAR booths are adjacent to each other, so this tweet up will be in the general area at both booths from 1 PM to 2 PM PST.

RSVP at twtvite.com/vmworld2010smackup and then add to your calendar:

Outlook Google iCal Yahoo!

Be sure to follow (and use) the hashtag #smackup during the event on that Wednesday. The twtvite.com page will be collecting tweets and photos using this tag!

Looking forward to seeing everyone then!

See the full twtvite after the page break.

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Image of Train Signal

If you did not already know about Train Signal and their video training series then I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you have been missing out. If you read this blog or listen to the VIRTUMANIA podcast then surely you’re in the know. Train Signal is a long time sponsor here at VM /ETC (as well as at most all of the popular v12n blogs), a friend to and guest of the podcast, a returning sponsor of the VMUnderground VMWorld Warm Up Party, and always highly visible in the community with free video give aways at VMUGs, conferences and events.

I do not just blog about Train Signal because of business, however. I possess several of their videos and know several of the instructors. Train Signal is well worth the investment whether for one individual or an entire staff.

With the recent release of the vSphere Pro Series Vol 2 containing instruction provided by vExperts and recent VIRTUMANIA guests David Davis, Hal Rottenberg, Rick Scherer, Eric Siebert, and Sean Clark (Hey Rick, I got to get you on the show too!) Train Signal keeps adding great content to an already awesome collection for those looking for cost effective, at your own pace virtualization training.

What I find most amazing about Train Signal is the multiple formats available. With DVD, AVI, WMV, MP3, MP4 for iPods/iPads/smartphones, and even PDF you have the flexibility to learn where ever you are and how ever you need. Now, with instant online access via the My Training Portal as well, you don’t even have to wait for the media to be shipped to you! I was recently amazed when I was able to stream videos to my HTC EVO!

Here’s a quick list of the virtualization training series that I feel are well worth checking into. Be sure to check the free videos listed at the end of this post too!

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I’m late posting about this so I’ll be short. Tuesday 08/10/2010 is the deadline to enter and win a free conference pass, airfare, and hotel accommodations for VMWorld 2010 in San Francisco, CA. Go to GestaltIT.com and register NOW!

Here’s some various contest info as pasted directly from the post Announcing the Gestalt IT “Get Away to VMworld” Contest!:

“Here’s the deal: Thanks to our generous sponsors (Xsigo and Symantec), we’ll pay airfare, hotel, and registration for one lucky and deserving person out there to attend VMworld San Francisco 2010! That’s right – you get to go to VMworld for free!”

“Entrants must explain how they plan to “pay it forward” if they get to go to VMworld. Will you start a blog? Write some tutorials? Contribute to a forum or online community? Present to your local VMUG? Get creative and spread the wealth of knowledge you get from the event!”

“HOW TO ENTER

Ok, so how can you enter this contest? Here are the simple steps:

1. Consider how attending VMworld would help you and the broader community
2. Fill out the contest entry form
3. Plan on stopping by the Symantec and Xsigo booths at the show and thanking them for their support
4. Consider publicizing the contest by sharing this article with friends and associates
5. Consider subscribing to Gestalt IT with RSS, by email, on Twitter, or in iTunes
6. Consider supporting DonorsChoose.org and donating your swag to school kids in need”

“You have through Tuesday, August 10 to enter. The winner will be announced on the VMware Community Roundtable Podcast, Wednesday August 11 at noon Pacific time!”

Check out the whole GestaltIT post for more details and some fine print. Good Luck and I hope to see you there!

VIRTUMANIA happens for the 22nd time! Rick Vanover and I are joined by guests Kevin Houston, Brian Knudtson, and Jason Perlow for an epsiode about virualization with blade servers. The following is the podcast summary:

VIRTUMANIA Podcast Episode 22 – Virtualize On Blades Without A Pain In The Neck. Rich Brambley (@rbrambley) of VMETC and Rick Vanover (@rickvanover) of RickVanover.com host special guests and blade server experts Kevin Houston (@kevin_houston) of bladesmadesimple.com, Brian Knudtson (@bknudtson) of bknudt.net, and Jason Perlow (@jperlow) of the tech broiler blog. This week’s episode includes a discussion on the pros and cons of virtualization and server consolidation with blade servers that would make even Wesley Snipes proud. Don’t let a blade be your nemesis. Learn what to watch out for so you can become an immortal superhero in your data center! VIRTUMANIA ia an Infosmack Production.

Listen to the podcast with the embedded player or subscribe to get a weekly copy so you can listen when convenient.

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Check out the VM /ETC VIRTUMANIA Page to listen to past episodes as well as episodes of Infosmack.

VIRTUMANIA Episode 20 was far from scripted, but some of the best known names in virtualization scripting join us for this show. The following is the podcast summary:

VIRTUMANIA Podcast Episode 20 – Powershell is Latin to Me. Rich Brambley (@rbrambley) of VMETC and Marc Farley (@3parfarley) of StorageRap.com with special guests Scott Herold (@vmguru) of vmguru.com and Hal Rottenberg (@halr9000) of halr9000.com. This week’s discussion focuses on using Powershell in virtual environments instead of a GUI, compares learning scripting to learning the verbs and nouns of a new language such as Latin, and highlights several Powershell sites and tools that every administrator should check out. Virtumania is an Infosmack Production.

Before, between, and after the important stuff we also have some fun with using bots in first person shooter games, Mohitos, and the trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Listen to the podcast with the embedded player or subscribe to get a weekly copy so you can listen when convenient.

Check out the VM /ETC VIRTUMANIA Page to listen to past episodes as well as episodes of Infosmack.

The following links offer more information on some of the topics mentioned in VIRTUMANIA Episode 20:

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