In snapshot2.png you can see the command I'm using to install Windows 7 from an .iso file I made and placed on a usb device. I hit "Enter" in qemu box to choose Windows Setup.

But, I get the following message in snapshot3.png.

I can't figure out what the problem is.
I completed a test installation using this .iso file on virtualbox and it completed with no problems.
Has anyone run into this?
Any suggestions what to try next with qemu?

Thanks for your help.

I apologize. I uploaded two screenshots but I don't see them attached to the post, so you can't view what I was referring to.

I'll have to add the information tomorrow.
Too tired now.

Did you use cp?

I issued the following command to access the .iso file and install it in the 20 gig. win7.img file I previously created:

bash-3.1# qemu -cdrom /mnt/usb/Win_7_Ultimate_x64_OEM_DVD.iso -boot d -hda /home/mike/win7.img

Upon issuing the command, a message appears in the terminal:

open /dev/kvm: No such file or directory
Could not initialize KVM, will disable KVM support

However, the command does open up a separate terminal window and there's a "dos-box-like" message from the Windows Boot Manager:

Choose an operating system to start, or press TAB to select a tool -

There's one choice below called "Windows Setup" and I highlight it and hit "Enter".
Then next message from the Windows Boot Manager screen states:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."
3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have the this disc, contact your system administrator.
Then you can hit "Enter" to continue or "Esc" to exit.

Anyone seen a similar/same thing when using qemu to install Win7?

Thanks for your help.

just our of curiosity but qemu to me seems like a lightweight emulator that might simply not be the best choice for windows 7, especially when there are other free (albeit probably not open source) alternatives like sun virtualbox or vmware, just a thought

this makes a difference to me.

Use qemu without any acceleration. The command should be: and install with normal user and not root.
You forgot to specify the memory and sound hardware.
There is also the option of kqemu as a loadable module.
You can load the kvm or kqemu module with and then exit from root and boot into the image.

Thanks for your response, Mr. Biscuit!
I'm itching to get home and give it a try.

I'm wondering why it's necessary to remove the kvm mod -- I thought it's necessary to have it installed and loaded. I thought qemu relied on it?
If you have any links or info. on this, I'd like to understand it better.
I'm definitely still struggling to understand the differences between qemu / kqemu / kvm-qemu.

Thanks again for your help.
I'll report back on my results.

I doubt you "created" the Win_7_Ultimate_x64_OEM_DVD.iso yourself. That kind of name typically is given to warezed OEM ISOs.

I know it sounds lame, but I have a friend who works for a larger company.
He gave me a disc that has not yet been installed and told me I could test with it until he needed it for an end-user install. He trusts me to handle with care and is probably hoping I'll show him how to do a kvm-qemu install once I figure it out.

So I've copied the contents of the disc and made an .iso file with the name I've used in the thread.

I only want to use it to learn how to install and configure Win7 in my linux environment at home. If I can perfect it and make it work well, then I'll be ready to buy my own copy upon returning my friend's disc. If I can't make it run properly, then I'll sit with my purchased version of Win XP Pro for a while longer.

UnSpawn, you've been very helpful to me and I respect your opinion.
If you feel the actions, processes, or subject-matter of this thread are unethical, I will not pursue further help or discussion about such an installation.

Please let me know what you think.

I have a copy of the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
I can turn the clock back on my linux machine and use this instead to experiment with Windows 7 installation under kvm-qemu - is this a more tenable solution?

Thanks for listening.

NP, please proceed. I know you know what's over the edge and what's not...

Excellent, thanks. :-)

For 64 bit OS'es you have to use qemu-system-x86_64 not qemu

Thanks, Smeezekitty.
I was testing last night and was able to get windows to "boot up" and begin loading setup files but after trying several options I got the same failure every time - error message stating the cpu is not 64-bit.

It was confusing because Virtualbox reports that the necessary AMD-VT environment is active/enabled.
I was about to flash my bios, but now that I see your post I think I will try your suggestion.

I found this helpful thread after not finding anything about "qemu-system-x86_64" in the qemu documentation -
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...vista.-616158/

Thanks for your guidance.

I'm retiring this thread.
Qemu works and begins installing Windows 7.
However, Win 7 install fails as a result of some IRQ or driver/hardware conflict that causes a blue screen and "STOP" code.
An entirely different issue at this point.