How to Run Windows inside of Linux (Suse 10.2)
 

Hi Guys
I am a newbie to Linux
I have recently tried to move over to Linux (Suse 10.1) and have now updated to 10.2
My system is a CPU AMD Sampron 2300
512 ram, 160 HDG
Which runs W XP and Suse 10.2 which is partitioned.

However I prefer the security of Linux, and the multi desktop, but at times there are programs which i have, that will only run on XP
My issue is I would like to be able to access my Windows environment without having to leave Linux ever time by longing out and restarting W XP. I have been told that this is possible but I have not been able to set this up as yet and would be gratefully for some newbie advice on the best way to go about this.
Many Thanks

You need a virtual machine such as VMWare or QEMU. I have used QEMU briefly but have no real in-depth experience. As far as I know, the only downside is that things run slower when using a virtual machine.

well i guess this is down to what a "windows environment" actually is. if it's start menu's, annoying paper clips and recycle bins, then that's a VM as above. if you jsut want access to programs and data, then maybe somethign like crossover office is all you need, to run thing slike M$ Office and Photoshop within Linux.

What programs do you need to use? Wine/Crossover support for apps is very hit and miss. Some work great, others barely work, if at all.

Have you looked for a native Linux equivalent? If there's absolutely no chance of a Linux equivalent program, my suggestion would be wine or crossover. I've had good luck with Crossover, but it does cost money, and wine is free. I personally never liked VMwarePlayer or Qemu, but the 1 or 2 Programs I have that are absolutely Windows only, Codeweavers works fine.

http://www.winehq.com
http://www.codeweavers.com

IGF

With openSuSE 10.2 include virtualization(XEN) while its install and if your system is Intel-VT enabled or AMD i.e. fully virtualized, then you can have windows running on top of it with no problems...
XEN is similar to VMWare but much better option than VMWare.
Yeh there is one problem though that you wont be able to access your usb/pen drive over guest OS i.e. Windows XP but i guess in near future this issue would be resolved too..
All the best..

How to Run Windows inside of Linux (Suse 10.2)
 

Many Thanks Guys for all your replys and input. I will check them out to see which may be more suited to me.

I had a few weird problems with XEN on SuSE 10.2 & SLED as well. Basically lot's of config & reading manuals (instead of skiing) time, and no workie...

I ended up spending $50.00 on Parallels (www.parallels.com) and it worked imediately and I now run Wiun XP Pro with IIS & SQL Serv all day long with NO problems. I develop in SuSE and test my stuff Via local I.P address in the Win VM to match my work deployment environment.

Best 50.00 I spent in a long time ;-)

so you just paid for an also-ran product wihtout trying the market leaders 100% small to medium business capable free products?

Wrong Vampire Dude ;-)

I need more to time to Ski and Bike, not read more manuals. After spending some time reading the manual and the associated complexities, I opted for a quick 50.00 and a wizard to create the VM for me with all the settings already correct, and I was up and running in 30 minutes. AND their Parallels Tools option takes care of the shares between Linux & Windows in about 2 seconds.

So, put me in the catagory of developer who's out skiing with the last few hours of daylight instead of sitting in front of my computer tring to get the VM setup corretly ;-)

I see your point Nuro305
I have spent several days now trying to get to grips with Wine and VMware and all i have encountered has been one problem after another, during the config. process and still no further forward.
But i will not give up so easily, i will keep trying to get either Wine or Vmware to work.
All I would like to do is get the *** thing installed and running, while taking advantage as stated by acid_kewpie of the free products available.


I can only hope that a guru out there might see there way to making this a better option and a smoother and less traumatic one for newbies like myself.

use qemu its easy to setup and its free

Nice sounding tool, but again, for 50.00 one time I'd go for the tested and supported product any day..... again the "Skiing thing" as mentioned above ;-) and indeed the powder was sweeeeeeet in Wolf Creek this weekend !

i dont think everybody is into skiing like you are. And if you could pay 50 quid for free tool, it doesnt mean that everybody gonna pay that amount.
So its better to try and learn with different possibilities..Yeah who wants to get results without trying much then you can pay as much amount you want for free product.

All the best...

Yea Anant, I know what you mean.....

But, for many of us developers it's just a simple formula: (24 hrs in a day - (commute-work-kids-wife-hobbies-eat-exercise-relax-sleep = whats left)) doesn't leave much time for reading manuals unless it's REALLY necessary... and in this case it really wasn't.

So, I still say, spend 50 quid and get off the couch and get some exercise and you live longer to learn even more!


Cheers ;-)