Windows 7/Ubuntu

[Bob Hatch]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu
will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

If so are there any potential problems I should be aware of.

I do have one option and that is an external eSATA dock that I could set
a disk in and install the OS there.

I'm just trying to learn the best way to learn.

Information. I have 4 internal SATA connections and all 4 are being used
now, so using one of those is not an option.


--
"Never argue with an idiot, they will knock you
down to their level and beat you with experience."
Unknown

http://www.bobhatch.com
http://www.tdsrvresort.com

 

[Andrew]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu will
install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

I run it in a VMWare Player
http://www.vmware.com/products/player/

 

[Conor]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu
will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

If so are there any potential problems I should be aware of.

I do have one option and that is an external eSATA dock that I could set
a disk in and install the OS there.

I'm just trying to learn the best way to learn.

Information. I have 4 internal SATA connections and all 4 are being used
now, so using one of those is not an option.

Two options:

Option 1: Install the free Virtualbox, create a virtual PC and install
on that.
Option 2: Install Ubuntu via Wubi. It is basically like creating a
virtual PC in so much that it uses a single file as a "partition" and it
adds an option to the Windows boot menu on startup. If you want to
uninstall Ubuntu, you simply go to Add/Remove programs and do it from
there.

Advantages of Wubi is that its basically native. Disadvantage of Wubi is
that you have a boot menu so its basically dual boot but without the
partitioning.

 

[Seth]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu will
install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

If so are there any potential problems I should be aware of.

It will run fine using any of the various virtual machine systems, Microsoft
Virtual PC included. I would go with the VMware Free Virtual Server product
myself given a choice between that or Virtual PC.

 

[John Aldred]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu
will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

If so are there any potential problems I should be aware of.

Personally when evaluating a new release/distribution of Linux, I swap out
disks. If everything runs OK I then dual boot, but this isn't the answer
that you wanted!

The main reason for this reply is to caution that the latest release of
Ubuntu (9.10) is, in the opinion of many users, too much like a beta
release.

I would advise trying the more mature 8.04 version, which is still available
and is the latest Long Term Support version, although it is not quite so
up-to-date.

 

[ray]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu
will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

If so are there any potential problems I should be aware of.

I do have one option and that is an external eSATA dock that I could set
a disk in and install the OS there.

I'm just trying to learn the best way to learn.

Information. I have 4 internal SATA connections and all 4 are being used
now, so using one of those is not an option.

You could do that. If you expect this to be a short term comparison,
another option would be to boot a Linux Live CD. It will boot and run
from the CD without installing anything on your computer. Of course, it
will be a bit slower since it's running from the CD rather than a hard
disk, but all the basic functionality is there.

 

[Nil]

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and
arguing is about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want
to have to swap out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm
wondering if Ubuntu will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft
Virtual Machine.

Yes, it will. But if you have problems with MVM, you can try Sun
Virtual Box - Ubuntu runs quite well in that.

 

[DanS]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu
will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

If you do try it out, be sure to try out both Ubuntu and Kubuntu.

Ubuntu uses the GNOME desktop..... http://library.gnome.org/misc/release-
notes/2.28/

Kubuntu uses the KDE desktop.....http://www.kde.org/

Although, if yo do try an older release as mentioned in one of the other
replies, Kubuntu won;t run as well because that's an older version of KDE
that was buggy and slow. Version 4.x is significantly improved.

KDE looks much more refined and polished, and they also have a lot more
apps.

 

[ray]

If you do try it out, be sure to try out both Ubuntu and Kubuntu.

Ubuntu uses the GNOME desktop.....
http://library.gnome.org/misc/release- notes/2.28/

Kubuntu uses the KDE desktop.....http://www.kde.org/

Although, if yo do try an older release as mentioned in one of the other
replies, Kubuntu won;t run as well because that's an older version of
KDE that was buggy and slow. Version 4.x is significantly improved.

KDE looks much more refined and polished, and they also have a lot more
apps.

No need to install both - simply install Ubuntu and then add the KDE
desktop. At boot you can choose which to use. In the past, I've found it
better to do that than install Kubuntu - things just always worked better
for me that way - could have changed by now, though.

 

[DanS]

No need to install both - simply install Ubuntu and then add the KDE
desktop. At boot you can choose which to use. In the past, I've found
it better to do that than install Kubuntu - things just always worked
better for me that way - could have changed by now, though.

You know Ray, I thought that it didn't matter either and that is what I
always did too...until the 9.10 release, I just decided to do a direct
Kinstall instead of adding it, and after using it for a while now, I
would never go back to GNOME (unless of course a subsequent update of KDE
breaks it again).

The one thing that really bugged me was having both K & G apps in the
menu. I tried the apps that hide them as necesary, but those never worked
100%.

 

[Dave]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu will
install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

If so are there any potential problems I should be aware of.

I do have one option and that is an external eSATA dock that I could set a
disk in and install the OS there.

I'm just trying to learn the best way to learn.

Information. I have 4 internal SATA connections and all 4 are being used
now, so using one of those is not an option.


--
"Never argue with an idiot, they will knock you
down to their level and beat you with experience."
Unknown

http://www.bobhatch.com
http://www.tdsrvresort.com

OK, you have a Windows OS that runs fine with no problems and you want to
know if bunt will play nice with it so technically this is a bunt question.
Just a curiosity, the next time you have a Windows question will you ask it
in the bunt forum?
Dave

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

OK, you have a Windows OS that runs fine with no problems and you want to
know if bunt will play nice with it so technically this is a bunt question.
Just a curiosity, the next time you have a Windows question will you ask it
in the bunt forum?
Dave

Now, now! Ubuntu is, de facto, on-topic in this group.

Just kidding. You may realize that I am referring to a lot of posts
that appear in this group.

 

[Roy Smith]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu
will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

Yes you can do it this way and it works quite well depending on the
virtualization software. I use VMWare player and it runs as well as if
it were installed as the only OS on this laptop. One nice thing about
using VMWare player is that you can mount a disc iso and not have to
burn it to a cd. Then if you don't like it you can just delete
everything and forget it and not waste a CD.

--

Roy Smith
Windows 7 Home Premium

Timestamp: Thursday, February 18, 2010 7:59:39 PM

 

[Canuck57]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu
will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

I wouldn't use the Micrsoft VM. VMWare (commercial) and VirtualBox
(Freeware) blow the doars off og the Microsoft VM app. Both of these VM
have developers that proactively want to support other OSes including
Microsoft ones.

If so are there any potential problems I should be aware of.

Not many, I have been running OSes in VMs for decade. Never been easier
or faster. About the only gotcha would be if you ran Vista/Win7 or a
Linux and wanted the glass look, or beryl interface, they might not work
well. Just stick to the classic look, and no problems.

The only other thing is memory, more the better. (Any VM likes this)

I do have one option and that is an external eSATA dock that I could set
a disk in and install the OS there.

You probably could, but I have 2 internal HDs.

I'm just trying to learn the best way to learn.

My reason too in running a VM.

Information. I have 4 internal SATA connections and all 4 are being used
now, so using one of those is not an option.

You might have 4 or more, but power supply and space are likely less.

My setup:

Q6600 quad processor, 8GB of RAM, 2 x 1TB HD, nVidea 512M video, 23"
digital display.

Software is dual boot, Fedora and Vista. I will use Vista as you are
likely not as familiar with Linux.

Vista Premium with only these added:
- VirtualBox as the VM
- OpenOffice
- FireFox
- PuTTY

Games and crap removed.

In the VMs, I have:
- OpenBSD
- 2 x Fedora
- Suse
- Ubuntu
- Red Hat
- 3 x Solaris 10 x86
- W2000
- W2003

The above allows me to test software and solutions between a wide
variety of systems without screwing around. I tried a Microsoft VM some
years ago and found it too unstable. Used to be a VMWare nut, but they
hiked the price and as far as I can tell, VirtualBox is the fastest,
leanest and most versions stable like a rock.

 

[Andrew]

Yes you can do it this way and it works quite well depending on the
virtualization software. I use VMWare player and it runs as well as if
it were installed as the only OS on this laptop. One nice thing about
using VMWare player is that you can mount a disc iso and not have to
burn it to a cd. Then if you don't like it you can just delete
everything and forget it and not waste a CD.

I'm pretty sure all the VM solutions allow you to mount an ,iso from your
filesystem.

 

[Bob Hatch]

OK, you have a Windows OS that runs fine with no problems and you want
to know if bunt will play nice with it so technically this is a bunt
question. Just a curiosity, the next time you have a Windows question
will you ask it in the bunt forum?
Dave

So you don't think asking if another OS will run in Windows Virtual PC
installed in a Windows 7 Pro environment is a valid Windows 7 question.

Interesting. Picky and petty, but interesting.

--
"Never argue with an idiot, they will knock you
down to their level and beat you with experience."
Unknown

http://www.bobhatch.com
http://www.tdsrvresort.com

 

[Gordon]

OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
need from the folks here.

I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu
will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.

If so are there any potential problems I should be aware of.

I do have one option and that is an external eSATA dock that I could set
a disk in and install the OS there.

I'm just trying to learn the best way to learn.

As one who had this question on my mind years ago, I would suggest that you
set aside a partion on your HD for Ubuntu. If you have some spare space the
Ubuntu installation will offer to use it by creating the partition.

Virtualisation is okay but it is a OS operating within another and thus is
not not the same in terms of speed or control.

 

[Bob Hatch]

As one who had this question on my mind years ago, I would suggest that you
set aside a partion on your HD for Ubuntu. If you have some spare space the
Ubuntu installation will offer to use it by creating the partition.

Virtualisation is okay but it is a OS operating within another and thus is
not not the same in terms of speed or control.

Thanks to "most" everyone for the positive ideas and advice. I'll run it
through my thinker and make a decision on how to go about this learning
curve thing.


--
"Never argue with an idiot, they will knock you
down to their level and beat you with experience."
Unknown

http://www.bobhatch.com
http://www.tdsrvresort.com

 

[Dave]

Now, now! Ubuntu is, de facto, on-topic in this group.

Just kidding. You may realize that I am referring to a lot of posts that
appear in this group.

Got your meaning. :-D
Dave

 

[Dave]

So you don't think asking if another OS will run in Windows Virtual PC
installed in a Windows 7 Pro environment is a valid Windows 7 question.

Interesting. Picky and petty, but interesting.

--
"Never argue with an idiot, they will knock you
down to their level and beat you with experience."
Unknown

http://www.bobhatch.com
http://www.tdsrvresort.com

I'm not complaining as I didn't want to be picky and petty (VBG), I'm just
curious. I have to admit Ubuntu is the most user friendly Linux flavor I've
ever looked at so I'm wondering where the most reliable source of info is
just in case I ever decide to try it again. :-D
P.S. I like your tagline. Saw another one that said something like, "Never
argue with an idiot, people around you will start to wonder which one is the
idiot."
Dave