Information:
After you perform a P2V of a physical computer you should consider performing the following steps in VMWare and on the Windows OS.
1) VMWare Configuration
a. Change server memory configuration
b. Change server CPU configuration
c. Configure appropriate network
d. Remove Serial and USB devices
i. Required to do migrations in an ESX cluster
e. Configure the CDRom as a Client Device and Pass-through IDE
i. Required to do migrations in an ESX cluster
2) Windows Configuration
a. Remove any hardware vendor applications
b. Remove hidden hardware
i. Commands
set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
start devmgmt.msc
view…show hidden devices
ii. Go through every hardware device and remove old hardware.
iii. If unsure what something is, use good judgment, research then decide.
c. Remove or disable any unneeded services.
d. Remove any unneeded third party remote control
i. Leave on Windows 2000 / Remove on Windows 2003
e. Install / Enable Terminal Services
i. Install TS for Windows 2000
ii. Enable RDP for Windows 2003
f. Check Event log and resolve any errors
i. Some HP devices are hidden, but log errors to the event log on failure. Search HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services and delete the offending service keys.
g. Remove any unneeded protocols
h. Configure Same IP Address
i. Delete application folders from uninstalls
i. Examples:
1. C:\Compaq
2. C:\HP
3. C:\Program Files\Compaq
j. Disable Windows Time Service
i. Configure VMTools to synchronize time
k. Defrag Hard Drives
3) Applications
a. Install BGInfo
b. Install Anti-virus software
c. Install other applications as needed
4) Backup configuration
a. Add to VMWare snapshot scripts for guest OS
b. Add to backup software for LAN based backups of OS