Sometimes when you install Windows XP under Qemu, you will receive the error “a problem is preventing windows from accurately checking the license for this computer”. This error prevents you from continuing to use Windows XP, unless you use the following method:
- Download Windows XP Service Pack 2
- Create a mountable ISO of the service pack. In a terminal window, change to the download folder and type the command: mkisofs -o xpsp2.iso WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe
- Copy the xpsp2.iso into the same directory as your Windows XP img file.
- Change to the file’s directory in the console with the cd command.
- Run qemu with the -cdrom parameter: qemu -cdrom xpsp2.iso windows.img, where sinwos.img is the name of the virtual drive containing the windows installation.
- When you’ve logged into Windows XP and confirmed you DO want to run in safe mode, go to My Computer, open the CD Drive, and run the exe file. This will begin the Windows XP Service Pack 2 extraction and installation. Follow all of the on-screen prompts until the installation is complete. This may take a while!
- Reboot qemu without the -cdrom parameter: qemu windows.img
You should now be able to log in to Windows XP normally.
