Wishing for a zero-cost solution that I might operate my favourite Linux Distro (e.g. 'buntu/ Mint, whatever) under MS Windows 7.

Having recently discovered the great versatility of running what seems no less than a full-blown WinXP install, under the Linux OS (e.g. Mint), via Virtual... somethng or other, I wonder, how might i do such a thing in the opposite direction, for a quick access to the powerful features of Linux CLI, etc., yet available-- on demand-- from within the Win environment.

Thank you for your attention.
Regards,
@ajaxStardust

vmware server or any number of other free solutions will do this just fine.

have you a link [please] to the recommended bin / executable / setup appropriate for Win 7 x64 Home Premium? (whatever the name for the default consumer edition, blah... blah...)

many thanks.

Either way, your feedback should be helpful as provided.

EDIT: currently D/L'ing, the ~94MB file from:
https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/fre...are_player/6_0

thanks. I welcome any additional advisory. (e.g. be sure to ___ so it doesn't muff your bootloader, and never do ___, or you'll be sorry... )
you know, those little tips only known through experience?

thanks again!

I wouldn't recommend vmware player. I'd say server instead, so you aren't tied to literalyl having a player window loading up when you need to use it, but instead have the vm there in the background accessible by ssh or whatever at any time. That said, I've not used vmware player for quite a while now, so it may have been made nicer these days.

nothigng should go anywhere near a bootloader. Unless you attach your booting hard disk to the vm config.

I've always found Virtualbox good - not that I use it often ... must be well over a year. Doco is also good - or was last I looked.

Virtualbox is pretty good and easy to set up. Just Google it and install. You can download a Linux ISO file (CD/DVD Image file)and point Virtualbox at it to install, you don't need to burn the CD/DVD. There's a couple of questions about the Virtual disk size and memory but just take the defaults if I remember.

Play Bonny!

Hey,
Use VirtualBox ... last year the company I was then working for insisted on giving me a Windows 7 box.

I installed VirtualBox and had two virtual machines running Slackware for my development and build systems.
The hardware had 500GB hard-drive and 8 GB of memory ... in the end I used the Windows 7 just for email (since the company was totally Outlook oriented .. silly people).

This year .. different company .. I have Slackware Linux running on the hardware and Windows 7 running in a VirtualBox
VM to handle mail and calendars ... this is a much more preferable solution when one has to have Windblows available.

Since my hardware came with a Windows 7 COA, I pulled a Windows 7 Installation iso image off the web, and used the product code from the COA to activate windows running under VM. Caveat .. I had to call the Microsoft Automated Activation line
since the code from the COA would not work automagically, but no problem .. just followed the telephone prompts and all went well.

cheers
pete

pete hilton
saruman@ruvolo-hilton.org

Can also run live off Linux media if you don't need direct access to all winblow$ apps as you'd need to reboot each time like dual booting, I do like VBox as well.

I use VirtualBox on a regular basis for virtualization in both directions (Windows on a Linux host, and Linux on a Windows host), it's a good solution and 100% free.

Now there's a nice bit of info-- however, perhaps often never addressed-- and precisely the sort of thing i've wondered (e.g. my original post mentions I'd installed WinXP under Mint using VMWare Player {spx?}, as I DID NOT EVEN CONSIDER what a pain in the arse it would likely be to attempt using my /OEM Win 7 ... whatever/ from this Lenovo box. I mean, it was difficult enough to re-install it using the jack-assry of a partition system they've got going there (e.g. now Win see's the /hidden/ Restore partition, and it's just one more thing, you know, to p*ss off a guy just tryin' a get by!), and as usual, i digress...

So, I extrapolate, this is NOT altogether impossible? Seems only fair: i bought the gear; it's got an OEM product which Lenovo is clearly distributing as a volume-licensed contract [likely]. Why shouldn't I be able to continue using that product in a manner which I believe to be most suitable to my use of their product?

“Things that make ya' go :hmmm: !” hehe...

@bimboleum i truly appreciate your anecdotal input, here. Not sure what is a “COA”, per your rhetoric, but I think we're on the same page, metaphorically speaking.

It's certainly something to think about; something to pass the time; something to learn; more useful knowledge which will go untapped, next time i don't get passed to the second-interview. Heheh...
[inside joke... I mean, all i need to do was parse some XML files, for a REALLy sweet gig here at PSU. did they call me for interview #2? not yet. haha. and i even know ColdFusion, which was an... how they say... /preferred attribute/... some such. Eh, ya gotta roll with the punches, and i am the King of Digression!]

Be well, all. and thank you, all, for your thoughtful feedback.
May the sun be at your back, may your plumber show less crack, and may your other be at least half-decent in the ol' sack!

Cheerio, dudes & darlings!
@ajaxStardust

Depending on your version of Windows, you may be able to get the VirtulPC for free. Not the best VM but free for some users and works OK.

Vmware's player is good and as noted above the virtualbox is good.

As to your last reply, I simply can't guess what you are talking about. Rant?

You most likely will NOT get your OEM windows 7 if the activation is tied to the hardware and some vendor gave it to your.

You can however download any number of pre-made virtual appliances from a microsoft site.

I have installed a variety of Linux distributions in VirtualBox on Windows 7.

Works like a charm.

Download Vmware player or Virtual Box

Good luck!!!

EDIT: my primary observation, RE potential /crap-tastic disaster/: what is going on w/ this ISO as virtual CD-ROM thing, and the Guest account? This is something upon which I do NOT properly know how to act. PLEASE acknowledge, and address recommended proper methods, as shown, per the animated Flash Movie. The viewer will see i intentionally /hovered/ these areas, that one might better assist my challenged mentals. Thanks for viewing that!!

~~~~~~~~~~~
orig text...
~~~~~~~~~


Dig this:
Let me know what you think? Does it stink? or... look like i pretty much have what I sought to achieve?
http://whatsonyourbrain.com/a_genera...irtualization/

the URL, just above, should provide an animated [e.g.Flashmedia, as in your beloved YouTube. and if you can stomach some jack__f eating jalapenios, or whatever the hell they publish there, I hope you have time for something which begs your viewing for practical purposes. Make no mistake, I care very little whether you view or don't.

I know, i know, everyone said V-box, or some such, but i'd already had this going [meantime]. and i just go on about this VMWare-Player, which was also discouraged. Perhaps that might explain some of my issues. What issues? I've no idea, quite yet, but it seems not so awesome, Blossom. I have faith in the collective You that we'll get this thing kickin' major booty. No go dig tht Flash vid, and steal all my p/w'ds and whatever the heck i probably should have redacted/ obfuscated. What do i care. Believe me, I don't!

However, i believe this thread did establish some banter-- i hope-- as to be worthwhile for reading by others. True, i could have used the /search/ feature. No, I didn't. My apologies.

Best regards, and thank you all for your kindness and attention to my concerns.
-JS

...What?

I'm reminded of jefro's earlier reply:
You posted a 15 minute movie of you bouncing around an OS. I'm not going to watch all 15 minutes and try to guess what you're asking about in your post. You're not paying me for my time, and I don't care to spend my evenings watching a mouse fly around the screen for 15 minutes.

Please ask specific questions, and if necessary provide any applicable screenshots (not long movies) so we know what you're asking about.

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