Hi all,

Been in and out, and all around a bunch of distros for years, looking for "the one"

From what I read, and from several recent forays into an install, Ubuntu is perilously close to making the grade, for me.

My question involves running a windows OS in a virtual machine. I use a GPS and PocketPC, as well as a nice HP scanner that so far as I can find, linux doesn't support.

I am not going to abandon these tools, but would love to run Ubuntu and say Virtual Box, but I am not getting any answer to the question of whether the Virtual Box will allow Windows 2000 to access these devices. I need to sync the old pocketPC, and the GPS has software that is only found on a windows install.

Been practicing on lots of distros, I think I am closing in on being able to make the move, but I still need windows, and it has to be able to use UBS devices, not just flash drives and the like.

Anyone know if this is possible yet?

Much obliged,

John

Almost every HP printer and scanner available is supported by HPLIP, have you checked the compatibility list there?

As for the VM, I am not sure about USB devices (though it should work through QEMU). Have you tried running the software under WINE and seeing what results you get?

The scanner is not supported....plus I would like the freedom to use whatever I want, if I should have to.

As for Wine, well, I have to admit, I an not willing to install Ubuntu again, configure, setup, wrestle, and cope with getting Wine to work, just to find out if the apps will function, because A; I am weary, and B: if I get a new PDA, and it doesn't work, I am sitting with an OS that I can no longer use. A VM is the best way to insure I can use my devices. If wine does work, that would be a bonsu.

I am hoping someone is running windows in a virtual machine, and can testify to USB actually working or not.

Thanks for the help.

John

That seems to be a facility for printers. I don't see any scanner information listed there. Wanting to be an optimist, can you point me to where I will find a list of supported scanners? I know that things change frequently, so maybe I will get lucky.

The scanner is HP4470c. I haven't seen it supported yet, but perhaps something will come along.

Thanks,

John

FYI, I'm currently running Windows XP as a virtual machine in Ubuntu 7.04 and the usb for my HP OfficeJet 7110 works just fine. I can scan and print at will. I did have to install the software from the HP CD to get it to work. There is a down side to the USB support in that not all things are that simple. I also have an external 80 GIG hard drive connected via a usb port have not been able to access it to date. I have found a procedure to hack the system and get it working so maaybe that will be a thing of the past. Give it a try. I really enjoy the seamless mode since I can access any of my needed windows programs from my Ubuntu desktop.