Got it 👍 You have everything needed to install Windows XP SP3 with virtio drivers.
I’ll give you two correct commands using exactly those files, then short install steps.
✅ OPTION 1 (RECOMMENDED): Stable & easy (IDE + e1000)#
Uses no virtio, simplest and most reliable.
qemu-system-i386 \
-machine pc,accel=kvm \
-cpu pentium3 \
-m 1024 \
-drive file=winxp.qcow2,if=ide \
-cdrom en_windows_xp_professional_with_service_pack_3_x86_cd_vl_x14-73974.iso \
-boot d \
-vga std \
-usb -device usb-tablet \
-nic user,model=e1000 \
-monitor stdioInstall steps#
- Boot → XP installer starts
- Enter key from
key.txt - Finish install
- Done ✅ (network works automatically)
✅ OPTION 2: q35 + virtio (advanced, your files match this)#
Uses:
xp_q35_x86.img→ floppy drivers (setup)virtio-win-0.1.285.iso→ full drivers (after install)
qemu-system-i386 \
-machine q35,accel=kvm \
-cpu qemu32 \
-m 2048 \
-global q35-pcihost.x-pci-hole64-fix=false \
-drive file=winxp.qcow2,if=virtio \
-drive if=floppy,file=xp_q35_x86.img,format=raw \
-cdrom en_windows_xp_professional_with_service_pack_3_x86_cd_vl_x14-73974.iso \
-device VGA,vgamem_mb=64 \
-usb -device usb-tablet \
-nic user,model=virtio \
-monitor stdioInstall steps (IMPORTANT)#
XP setup starts
When it asks for storage → load driver from floppy
Select VirtIO Block Driver (XP 32-bit)
Continue installation
After desktop loads:
qemu-system-i386 ... -cdrom virtio-win-0.1.285.isoInstall Network + Balloon drivers
🔑 Notes#
key.txt→ only for manual typing- RAM must stay ≤ 2GB
- XP + q35 can freeze → Option 1 is safer
-cpu host❌ don’t use it with i386
qemu-system-i386 -M q35,usb=on,acpi=on,hpet=off -global q35-pcihost.x-pci-hole64-fix=false -m 4G -cpu host -accel kvm -drive if=virtio,file=winxp.qcow2 -drive if=floppy,file=xp_q35_x86.img,format=raw -device usb-tablet -device VGA,vgamem_mb=64 -nic user,model=virtio -monitor stdio -cdrom en_windows_xp_professional_with_service_pack_3_x86_cd_vl_x14-73974.iso -boot d