Hi,

I downloaded Madriva Linux. The downloaded file is an ISO file.

I use VMware(VM Player) to create a virtual machine and specify the Mandriva Linux ISO file as the Operating System.

This worked well. I then finally figured out that I have to create a partition, fdisk it and the mount the disk. I then modify the fstab file and save the changes.

However, when I reboot the virtual machine, It goes through the Installation process again and asks me to specify the location and keyboard layout and so on. When it completes this I launch a console terminal and type in df -h and I cannot see any of the changes I made to the fstab file. All I see is the louzy 250MB file that obviously comes with the ISO file.

Have I totally misunderstood what an ISO file is? Why when I reboot does it go through the Installation process again and the fstab file is reset without my changes to the disk I mounted?

An iso file is an image of a filesystem.
You are trying to run an image that is designed to install itself.
You can't use vmplayer to install an operating system, you need vmserver.
Or others ...

Is vmware server free though? If not do you know of any free Virtual Machine Servers that I can download?

http://www.vmware.com/products/server/

and images for vmplayer :

http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/cat/6103

You don't say what the host system is.


edit : link changed to Mandriva not Fedora

Ok I'll have a look and download atleast 1.

Just curious though, How would VMware Server differ from the VM Player I have given the fact That I will specify the exact same ISO file when I download VMware Server?

How will VMware Server treat the ISO file as Installing Linux as oppossed to VM Player treating it like just an Image file without Installing Linux.

vmplayer loads and "plays" existing vmware images. vm server lets you install an OS into an image, which you can then open with vmplayer. You have to read the docs.

No wyou have confused me.

You say that VMServer will allow to install an Operating System into an Image?

Which docs do I need to read?