VMware conversion question

[meenaghman]

OK.. want to do the switch over to Linux, but want to be able to run some windows apps too. I've got a fairly nice tidy winxp session all updated with latest fixes and some apps that I use.
I'm presuming I can image this using something like Norton Ghost or Acronis software -PING also, then install Ubuntu.. install VMWARE and then re-install my imaged Windows partition under VMware and it all should work...
Even if it don't I've got my working windows to fall back on..
I just dont want to have to go through the pain of windows update after XP install and re-installing everything
does this sound feasible ?

 

[yello]

Or you could use VirtualBox.

 

[Abitrary]

VMware have a free tool called vm converter, or something which does the imaging.

This allows you to create a vm from any currently running machine. Don't know how it work with partitions but it must be even simpler.

Haven't used it in a while but you should have a dig around the vmware site / forums and find out what's possible... and more importantly what's free.

 

[1LegRikk]

Bit convaluted but at least you'l know it's working.
Image the system
install vmware on the current xp box
get image working
copy off image
now install linux + vmware

 

[meenaghman]

Hm had a quick look at that.. seems similar to VMware.. I want linux to be my host system and Windows to be my guest system. Windows is currently installed on the PC.. so I'm right in thinking I'll have to backup wipe, install Linux and then install windows..

 

[yello]

Yep, you've got it.

Depending on the windows apps (.NET f'rinstance) you could also look at running them under Wine but a virtual solution is probably more reliable. I like VirtualBox personally, and run it in its own partition, using it for a couple of windows apps. It can see your Unix environment too, enabling you to share across a virtual network.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Hm had a quick look at that.. seems similar to VMware.. I want linux to be my host system and Windows to be my guest system. Windows is currently installed on the PC.. so I'm right in thinking I'll have to backup wipe, install Linux and then install windows..

Make sure you install Windows then install Ubuntu, don't do it the other way round. Lots of information here,
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall
and here
https://help.ubuntu.com/8.10/index.html
Lots of helpful people here
http://ubuntuforums.org/index.php

 

[yello]

Make sure you install Windows then install Ubuntu, don't do it the other way round.

Sorry. Why? What's the problem with running windows inside a virtual environment?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Sorry. Why? What's the problem with running windows inside a virtual environment?

I don't know about running windows inside a virtual environment. But when I researched Ubuntu before installing it one of the things that I found out was that if you where going to dual boot windows and ubuntu the windows needs to be installed first or the windows installation messes up the Linux boot loader.

 

[yello]

Hmm, yes, wouldn't surprise me that. The unix installer would be environment savy and windows, being windows, just wants to go 'splat, the world is mine'!

 

[HJ]

I don't know about running windows inside a virtual environment. But when I researched Ubuntu before installing it one of the things that I found out was that if you where going to dual boot windows and ubuntu the windows needs to be installed first or the windows installation messes up the Linux boot loader.

If you are setting a dual boot machine, you have to install Windows first as it over writes the whole disk (now there is a surprise), when installing Ubuntu it has tools to help you create partitions to install it's self on to, or you can create the partitions from within Windows using Paragon Partition Manager (or similar software). Having installed the Linux OS (i.e. Ubuntu) when you fire up your computer a new bit of software (Grub boot loader) then gives you the choice of which OS you want to boot, by default it will offer the Linux OS as first choice but this can easily be changed.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

If you are setting a dual boot machine, you have to install Windows first as it over writes the whole disk (now there is a surprise), when installing Ubuntu it has tools to help you create partitions to install it's self on to, or you can create the partitions from within Windows using Paragon Partition Manager (or similar software). Having installed the Linux OS (i.e. Ubuntu) when you fire up your computer a new bit of software (Grub boot loader) then gives you the choice of which OS you want to boot, by default it will offer the Linux OS as first choice but this can easily be changed.

Thats what I found out and thats what I did. And it works very well. Been on Ubuntu for a few weeks now and now I am over the install and configuration stage its boringly reliable, what it says it does it does, and Windows hardly gets used. Though this supposed to be my computer a few years ago it became the family computer and my sons, and the youngests girlfriend, use it and even they are using Ubuntu.