Windows – How to convert physical Ubuntu operating system into a virtual machine

I know that VMWare Server can do this when you create the virtual machine.

I'd guess that Workstation is similar. If you create a new VM, when creating the virtual disk, choose instead to use a physical disk. Note: You have to run this process as an administrator, so launch VMWare with sudo or gksudo.

If Workstation doesn't help you, then VMWare server will do this, and it's free.

Caveats:

1. VMWare server, I THINK, doesn't support USB 2.0.
2. Now, you should also note that when you start the system as a VM, it's going to start looking all over the place for drivers, and every time you switch it back between guest OS and native OS, you'll confuse it. MIGHT even cause some "Activation" issues.

The partition table and MBR are probably OK. I'm guessing the drivers are not compatible with the virtual machine.

Get a Windows XP disc that is working - I'm guessing you can repair without the original. You might get a substitute from the place where you bought your computer or loan it from a friend.