Linux/Windows Question

Swampster · 11-06-2011, 12:00

Some of you Linux guru's out there will probably know the answer to this, so i thought I'd ask here first..

Is it possible on a dual booting machine to run the already installed windows on that machine (that's on another partion) virtually from within the Linux environment? And how?

Ghozer · 11-06-2011, 12:20

yes it is, but you will have Driver issues..

most Virtual Machine software (Virtual Box, VM Ware etc) will allow you to specify a Drive or partition, instead of a drive-file when creating or configuring a machine... you will have to let windows figure out the drivers on its own though (Virtual Box might be better for it... and its free)

Swampster · 11-06-2011, 15:58

Righty, thanks for that, I'll go give that a bash..

Tony Erikson · 11-06-2011, 17:57

You may have to reactivate your Windows as the VM may show up as a different machine.

Byte IT Ltd · 13-06-2011, 16:55

"Virtual Machine" - I think is the only answer to this.

sccsux · 13-06-2011, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byte IT Ltd

"Virtual Machine" - I think is the only answer to this.

Which is what has already been suggested

julado · 14-06-2011, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swampster

Some of you Linux guru's out there will probably know the answer to this, so i thought I'd ask here first..

Is it possible on a dual booting machine to run the already installed windows on that machine (that's on another partion) virtually from within the Linux environment? And how?

Run???....as in what? Surely if you want to run window$ you would just come out of Linux..and re-boot into window$...do you mean you wish to access files and stuff in your Windows from Linux????

I don't understand why you would want to run window$ at all...let alone from the comfort of Linux.

I know that you can run Linux inside window$...that's how mine is configured until I get the partition done...but I haven't heard of it the other way round. I can get to all my window$ stuff through the host. When Linux is on a partition you get to it via the SDA.

mikeybaby72 · 14-06-2011, 00:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by julado

Run???....as in what? Surely if you want to run window$ you would just come out of Linux..and re-boot into window$...do you mean you wish to access files and stuff in your Windows from Linux????

I don't understand why you would want to run window$ at all...let alone from the comfort of Linux.

I know that you can run Linux inside window$...that's how mine is configured until I get the partition done...but I haven't heard of it the other way round. I can get to all my window$ stuff through the host. When Linux is on a partition you get to it via the SDA.

or indeed the Hda/whatever type of HDD you have installed in your hardware.

Why anyone would want to subject their lovely stable linux system to running (even in a virtual environment) window$ - I will NEVER understand?

mikeybaby72 · 14-06-2011, 00:42

Just (if you insist on keeping window$) create yourself 2 seperate partitions and make one of them a swap partition, then install the good ship Linux on the other and begin to enjoy your hardware! If you have to use window$ then just reboot. That way, WHEN it all goes belly up, you can still boot to a fresh NICE system!

Swampster · 14-06-2011, 01:23

There's no insisting about it... I HAVE to keep windows because Linux can not do everything that I want it to do.

sccsux · 14-06-2011, 07:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swampster

Linux can not do everything that I want it to do.

Yes it can. It just won't be with the same programs.

Love2print · 14-06-2011, 08:16

I have a dual boot with Ubuntu and Windows 7. I also run Windows XP inside Ubuntu using VirtualBox. My plan was to stopping using Windows 7 and just use XP when I needed to. If I ever get my printer set-up I might do. (Need XP drivers but Epson's website kept throwing up a server error).

I have certain files which I can only open with Windows or Mac compatible software. I could use Wine except that the software I use isn't compatible according to the Wine compatibility list. I could create the files again using a Linux alternative but it would mean extra work.

Unfortunately not everyone can fully convert to Linux. However, having said that, Ubuntu is my main OS as I can do most of what I need to do inside it.

Swampster · 14-06-2011, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by sccsux

Yes it can. It just won't be with the same programs.

No it can't, as some of the programs I use can't be replaced with alternatives; the most obvious examples are some of the games I have.. but there are a few other items too.

sccsux · 14-06-2011, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swampster

No it can't, as some of the programs I use can't be replaced with alternatives; the most obvious examples are some of the games I have.. but there are a few other items too.

I'll rephrase it then...

It can do anything productive that windows can do (I don't play games, so I ignored them)

.

mikeybaby72 · 14-06-2011, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by sccsux

I'll rephrase it then...

It can do anything productive that windows can do (I don't play games, so I ignored them)

.

Anything you can do, I can do better. Sings Linux to window$!