Windows 8 x64 --- WIM2VHD (part 4)

If we want to install a Windows 8 OS into VHD image, there is two method to do it
          (1). In Physical machine environment, we need to boot from Windows OS DVD next to   create/mount/install VHD image and add Boot Configuration Data (BCD) for Booted VHD image.
          (2). In Virtualization environment, we can create VM with VHD format and mount Windows OS DVD or ISO image next to boot it and install OS.

If we want to duplicate the bootable VHD image and let the copy also can run, we need to execute sysprepped on VHD image so that GUID doesn’t conflict each other and these OSs can on-live in the same time. It is not convenient for us because we have to do more and more steps for finishing this target.
Whether exist the alternative choice to easily build the pure OS? Yes, it is WIM2VHD for Windows 8! (# 1)

At first, we need to download a PowerShell “Convert-WindowsImage.ps1” from Microsoft Script Center (# 2)
Click I Agree button after reading License content
Select a path as “F:\My Source\Virtualization\Utility\WIM2VHD for Windows8\” to save it
When we open the Windows PowerShell and run the script as “.\Convert-WindowsImage.ps1 -ShowUI” for showing the graphic user interface, this script cannot be run due to Execution Policy limitation so that get the error message as “running scripts is disabled on this system” or “this script is not digitally signed” and so on. In the moment, we need to run the command “Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted” for allowing all Windows PowerShell scripts can be run.
When this PowerShell script run then, the screen show “Launching UI…” after keying R word.
and the Convert-WindowsImage UI will show up as well.
Click … button
Select install.wim file from Windows 8 Source
So dose that the field 2 will show SKU value as Professional for your choice if the source include other SKU.
and the PowerShell screen go another message “Scanning WIM metadata”
Choose VHD Format as “VHDX”, VHD Type as “Fixed”, VHD Size as “40 GB” next to click … button
Select a path for changing Working Directory
the PowerShell screen show the message “Selected Working Directory is …”
In Convert-WindowsImage UI page, please note that confirm whether Working Directory value is as we choose.
If no, please remember to change it so that the export file will put on the right location.
If yes,please assign VHD Name as “DW-WIN8-02.VHDX”, Unattend File next to click Make my VHD button
In the moment, the script begin to create VHDX image if we see the PowerShell screen.
Do the other activity as attaching VHD, Disk initialized/partitioned, Volume formatted, Assign Drive, Copy data, Applying image to VHDX,
BCD configuration, Make Drive is bootable, Closing VHDX and windows image. until now, the bootable VHDX image has already been created now.
Now this file can be use on boot from VHDX in Physical or Hyper-V environment. So, it is very simple, isn’t it?

Reference(# 1)  This PowerShell Script just can run on Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 and only create sysprepped VHD/VHDX image from Windows 7, Windows 2008 R2, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 setup media.
(# 2)  The script can be download from this RUL Convert-WindowsImage.ps1 - WIM2VHD for Windows 8

<<<   Windows 8 x64 --- Loopback Network Adapter (part 3)

Windows 8 x64 --- Loopback Network Adapter (part 3)

Since Hyper-V is installed and select the loopback adapter as Hyper-V Internet Interface, someone ask me how to install loopback adapter and let VM can connect to Internet. Based on the before experience to install Microsoft Loopback Adapter, we cannot find it on Windows 8 because it is renamed as "Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter".
So How to do it for someone question?

Add Loopback Adapter
To add the loopback adapter to Windows 8, the arrow cursor move to the left-bottom next to right-click the mouse to click Device Manager in menu.
In Device Manager, click Actions –> Add legacy hardware to launch Add/Remove Hardware wizard.
In Add Hardware page, click Next > button
Select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced) option next to click Next > button
Select Network adapters hardware types next to click Next > button
Select Microsoft Manufacturer and Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter next to click Next > button
Click Next > button to start installing the new hardware
Windows has finished installing the Microsoft Loopback Adapter driver and we can see it in Device Manager.

Enable traffic on LoopbackWhen we right-click this “Loopback Adapter” in Network Connection and select Status in menu,
the Received traffic always be “0”.
In the moment, we need to correct some value to change the loopback network behavior. At first, we need to understand which Ethernet adapter name as “Hyper-V LAN01” will be set by running the command “ipconfig /all | more”.
In the command prompt with Administrator privilege, execute the command “netsh interface ipv4 set interface “Hyper-V LAN01” weakhostreceive=enabled” & "netsh interface ipv4 set interface “Hyper-V LAN01” weakhostsend=enabled"
So does that the loopback adapter will have package in receive traffic now.

Enable ICSFinally, we will enable ICS on the WAN Interface so that let Hyper-V VM can go through WAN to Internet. For enabling ICS, right-click this WAN adapter next to click Properties
In WAN Properties, click the Sharing tab next to enable Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection check box and select a private network adapter as “vEthernet(Group01 Virtual Switch)” in Home networking connection field.
So does that Internet connection will be shared for VM computers now.

<<<   Windows 8 x64 ---- Install CentOS 6.3 x64 on Hyper-V (part 2)