Hey folks, I used to post here and it was so long ago that I cant believe I could find you again and remember my user name and password on top of that!

Haha, anyway, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, being proficient with Linux is one of my longtime goals. My dream is to one day move away from MSwidows almost entirely.

I would like to be able to run a Linux distro inside WinXPsp2. I want to be able to use it as a testbed to re-learn installation/configuration and be able to run X and KDE.

I installed the free MS virtual machine and installed both slackware and kbuntu with no luck whatsoever. I cant get them to run. I've also looked into LIW, CoLinux and Topologilinux and it appeared that they have limitations.

I was hoping that someone might have expierence dealing with this and be able to provide some direction. My previous expierence is with Slackware but I'm not against trying other distros. If anyone could help me with this I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks Everyone

Ben

http://librenix.com/?inode=5935
... using VMWare

I've found a howto for Virtual PC (which I guess you're using). Note: not all distros will install or work properly (you surprised?)

However - another approach is to run a windows VM under linux ... I understand Xen is quite good at this now - at least for ported OS's.

Of course, the traditional path is to run a dual-boot machine while you are weaning yourself off windows

For ease of installing Linux in a virtual machine, I suggest only VMware. Microsoft's Virtual PC produces many errors while running Linux in a virtual machine. VMware produces the same results as a normal computer while Virtual PC is just sloppy.

For first time Linux users, I suggest Ubuntu because I have read that it is easier than other distributions. Slackware is fine, but you need to be an intermediate Linux user to install it and use it well. I recommend stay away from SUSE if want to learn Linux. SUSE is ok for users that want to just use Linux, but not learn it.

Simon Bridge, Xen Source virtual machine can only run the same OS unless the processor has virtual hardware extensions. This means a complete computer upgrade to the latest processors in order to use other x86 OS like Windows while running Linux. There are other problems too.

Is it the VMware Server free download?

Yes, VMWare server is a free download though you must complete a free online registration to get a license key.

http://www.vmware.com/download/
While many vmware bits and bobs are available free for the evaluation perios only, the server would appear to be free to download. Read the EULA, much is GPL - but not all.

I'll second btmiller that a VMM under windows should be vmware if you can manage it. There is a wide support base and many howtos.

Slackware, kubuntu, LIW, CoLinux and Topologilinux have been tried (under virtial pc?) ... suggest:

1. K/Ubuntu (under vmware may work better) - I take it from your selection that you prefer the kde desktop?

2. OpenSUSE (Latest versions have been optimised for virtualisation - though Novell were really thinking, "the other way around".) OpenSUSE may be a good option for you under the virtual PC ... you'll need the latest vpc and suse though.

You really need to figure what you want to do - learning linux is best under dual boot or a live distro (so you don't have to learn virtualisation as well) see http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/


Personally, I'm looking at this the other way - running a Windows VM in Ubuntu/Xen. Xen can be installed to ubuntu via aptitude (i.e. easily) and I can configure a triple-boot (ubuntu-win-xen) so I can select the mode I need. I'm still reading... there's not much I need to do with windows, I'm learning virtualisation, but I figured it would look cool to show windows running inside a window on a linux desktop...

I have no idea why they purposefuly make everything so confusing. Here is the actual download section for the VMwareServer:
http://register.vmware.com/content/download.html
I'm downloading the "VMware Server for Windows Operating Systems. A master installer file containing all Windows components of VMware Server. Binary (.exe)" but do I need the VMware Server Linux client package as well or possibly instead? Or is that included in the first package?

Thanks Again

I'm as newbie as one can get. pclinuxos is downloading as we speak. However, in choosing a distro I did a lot of reading. Perhaps Linux XP will suit your needs. Their website says thousands of windows programs have been tested on it.
Allows you to run Windows programs on a stable linux platform.
Just a thought.