WindowsGuestDrivers/viostor/installation

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How to setup Windows guest VirtIO block driver on Windows Server 2003

Introduction

VirtIO block driver can be used either as a system (boot) or non-system disk. However, the installation procedure for these two different scenarios is slightly different.

System disk installation procedure

QEMU command line options

First of all, a VM needs to be started with the VirtIO block device and boot options enabled:

-drive file=/image_path/image_name,if=virtio,boot=on

In addition, a virtual floppy disk with correct Windows drivers must be specified:

-fda /floppy_image_path/floppy_image_name

Boot from the CD and press "F6" to install a third party driver

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Press "S" to specify additional device

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Select correct architecture and press "ENTER"

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Press "Enter" to continue

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All set. Press "Enter" and continue with the normal installation procedure

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Non-System disk installation procedure

QEMU command line options

Run VM with the new VirtIO block device by adding the following options:

-drive file=/image_path/image_name,if=virtio,boot=off and -fda /floppy_image_path/floppy_image_name

Upon the Windows guest restart the New Hardware Wizard dialog will appear

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Select "Install from the list or specific ..." option and press "Next"

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Select an appropriate location and press "OK" button

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Press "Next" button

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Press "Finish" upon installation completion

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Verify installation

Go to "Device Manager" and check to see that "Red Hat VirtIO SCSI controller" appears under "SCSI and RAID controllers" category. Snapshot26.png

Go to "Start" -> "Administrative Tools" -> "Computer Management" 
and click "Disk Management".

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Follow to the "Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard" prompt

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Right-click on the new disk and start the "New Partition Wizard"

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Create a primary partition

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If it is necessary, adjust partition size,

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a drive letter,

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file system type, allocation unit size and volume label.

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Check that everything is fine and press "Finish" button

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The new partition will be marked as "Healthy"

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and accessible under "My Computer" folder.

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