unable to run start.exe files in linux

wisdomvk · 03-13-2007, 04:46 AM

i m a newbie and wanted to learn linux from a cd which run on windows automalically sequencially but not in linux .
i m using fedora 6.o.
Is there any way out,if there is any way then let me know thanks in advance

Simon Bridge · 03-13-2007, 05:02 AM

There are no start.exe files in linux - but I know what you mean.

The answer is that you cannot do what you want. Linux is an operating system, so you will not be able to run it from windows. What you want is called a Live Distribution: something like Knoppix or Ubuntu or Mandriva One (and many others). What you do is you set up your computer to boot from CD drive first, the reboot with the linux live cd inside. Then linux will start without touching your hard drive.

Have fun.

MS3FGX · 03-13-2007, 05:02 AM

Well, I am already throughly confused. I am not sure what you are really talking about, but to answer what I think is the core question, you can't natively run .exe files on Linux. Those are Windows binaries, they do not work on another operating system.

You can however run Windows executables through WINE, which is a Windows compatibility layer for Linux. But not all programs will work with it.

Simon Bridge · 03-13-2007, 09:41 PM

MS3FGX: I know what he's saying.

In a windows CD, there is a file usually called start.exe whose job is to tell windows how to automatically "start" the CD... so it will put an icon on the desktop and open the initial window... maybe start an executable or an installation script. All those things linux does by itself right?

This is why a data CD in windows (often) actually has to be opened by going to "My Computer" and double-clicking the D:\ icon. (I found, when submitting my CV by disk I had to include these instructions even for IT managers and ms cert. techs. or they wouldn't be able to read it!)

What he wants to do is put a linux CD into the drive and have it automatically start up linux as if it were an application in windows.

And, of course, this won't happen. The Ubuntu Live CDs used to have a start.exe file so windows users who get confused could access free software for windows and a brief instruction on how to get linux started.

michaelk · 03-13-2007, 10:24 PM

FYI: When a CD is loaded windows will look for the autorun.inf file. Whatever application is in the inf file will automatically start. OTOH linux if configured will run the script autorun. As already stated linux can not natively run windows applications. wine will run windows applications but it does not work for everything.

BTW what is the name of the CD?

Simon Bridge · 03-14-2007, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelk

FYI: When a CD is loaded windows will look for the autorun.inf file.

Yes, all right ... it is just that the most common thing for autorun.inf to do is arrainge to execute a file called start.exe (which OP specifically asked about). Start.exe is usually pretty small and starts other things which do the actual work.

For my CV, I eventually added an autorun.inf as follows...

Code:

[autorun]
open=start.exe intro.html
icon=cvicon.ico

... see? Of course, the magic is in "start.exe" - though it dosn't have to be called that it's just that it almost always is.

When a CD refuses to autorun in windows, a user may decide to look for the file "start.exe" or some similar name and attempt to run it from the "run command" dialog (or whatever they are calling it these days.) Or, by double-clicking it's icon of course.

Hence the question from OP.

Of course, a more savvy user may look in autorun.inf to find out which file is supposed to be opened... but ho hum.

wisdomvk · 03-14-2007, 04:04 AM

i think ,i confused most of you with my wordings specially simon.
i am sorry for that ,
let me explain in very simple way.
i have a linux tutorial cd ,which run on windows chapterwise automatically but not in linux.
as i have only linux in my computr, i cant run that tutorials in that fashion as i do in windows.
all i wanted to know is how to run that tutorial cd just it runs in windows.

now i think this time i make myself very much clear.
by the way thanks very much to all of u for your suggetions.

sorry for my misleading statements
michealk & mgx got it right.

Simon Bridge · 03-14-2007, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wisdomvk

i think ,i confused most of you with my wordings specially simon.
i am sorry for that ,

Oh darn ... and I thought I was doing sooo well!

Quote:

i have a linux tutorial cd ,which run on windows chapterwise automatically but not in linux.
as i have only linux in my computr, i cant run that tutorials in that fashion as i do in windows.
all i wanted to know is how to run that tutorial cd just it runs in windows.

Simple answer, you can't.

This is software for windows right? It may be that you can get it going on wine, but you don't want to mess with that for just one function.

However, if the tutorial is in the form of html pages (it runs in your browser normally) then you need only find the first html file on your CD and double-click it.

Otherwise, tell us what kind of linux tutorial it is and we'll point you to an online version

Till then:
http://www.lowfatlinux.com/
... a short linux tutorial

http://www.linux-tutorial.info/modul...ial&pageid=224
... a longer one

http://linux.about.com/od/linux101/a/desktop01.htm
... getting started, uses fedora for examples