For evaluation, testing configurations, that sort of thing, I can't recommend Sun's VirtualBox highly enough. I have used it with both linux and windows as a host, running windows and linux client systems without a hiccup. As you have a beefy processor, lots of RAM and lots of hard drive, you are already well-equipped.
- michael dykman On Sat, Oct 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM, David Vincent-Jones <[email protected]> wrote: > I have found an approach to the Win/Ubuntu dual-boot that has worked > well for me for the past 2 years. I use Ubuntu 99.9% of the time; the > Win side is more of a 'security blanket' that I still drag around. > > 1. I started by creating a Win 98 recovery disk (rather than using the > OEM disks that came with my system) and then used the Ubuntu boot disk > to flush my hard drive then reformat for the MS system. > 2. I installed MS '98 from the recovery disk. > 3. Used the Ubuntu boot disk to make and re-size the needed partitions > and then install Ubuntu in the second partition. All very easy. > 4. I am now using 'Quickstart' to back-up both my Win and Ubuntu > partitions onto two rotated external 'Passport' drives. This has proved > remarkably reliable (as well as painless). When I needed to replace my > hard drive I was up and running again within a couple of hours without > any data loss on either side. > > For a while I worked with a Win emulator under Ubuntu .. I thought that > may prove useful .. but found that it had, for me, little benefit. > > David > > On Sat, 2009-10-03 at 07:42 -0400, David Mitchell wrote: >> Mark, >> >> I agree with Alex re VPC. It is a good tool for evaluating a variety of >> operating systems. It can help avoid hardware issues, since it emulates >> generic >> hardware in many areas, including the network adapters. It will not perform >> as >> well as a native install, but with a decent processor, I've found the >> performance acceptable. >> >> I did find installing Linux on the same physical drive as Windows Vista or 7 >> (RC) a bit of a challenge. Windows seems to see the Linux bootloader as a >> potential threat and will overwrite it if it is installed after Linux. The >> Vista SP also would not install while the Linux bootloader was active in the >> primary MBR. >> >> I discovered I could back up the MBR several times, once with the >> Windows-only >> version and once with the MBR after the Linux install(s) and all partition >> creation was complete. I then put copies of the MBR as files on all of the >> Windows and Linux partitions. >> >> Then, I used Linux tools to switch the MBR to the Windows-only MBR for >> activities like installing the Service Pack and switched back to the Linux >> MBR >> for daily use with multiboot. >> >> I strongly recommend backing up all your data before trying this. You can >> make >> it considerably less risky by using the primary drive for Windows and Linux >> OS >> and paging only and putting all your user data on other physical drives. >> >> A less hair raising approach is to install Linux on its own physical drive. >> You >> can create a bootloader CD to start up Linux. This gives you native Linux >> performance with no complaints from Windows. The CD bootloader can also work >> with an install on the primary drive, but it's a bit trickier to manage. >> >> Cheers >> -- >> David Mitchell >> >> Alex Rufon wrote: >> > Hi Mark, >> > >> > First off, I agree with Oleg, had I the money to burn (I just bought a new >> > motorcycle last July and crashed it 3 days later and fractured my right >> > foot ... ehem good thing I took a comprehensive insurance) I would invest >> > on a Mac. I actually bought a PowerBook before but my Mom wanted it and >> > she asked nicely (won't take no for an answer ... hehehe) and she loves it. >> > >> > If you haven't partitioned your computer and your machine has lots of RAM, >> > I would suggest installing it on a virtual machine first. You can either >> > use Microsoft Virtual PC and Sun's VirtualBox, both of these software's >> > are FREE. Although I would suggest VirtualBox over the Virtual PC for a >> > bunch of reasons. You see, most of my friends who tried out Linux end up >> > destroying their windows partition or not being able to boot back into >> > windows. Particularly if you have more that 1 internal hard drives and not >> > familiar with Linux device naming convention. Also, depending on how >> > powerful your PC, trying it out first in a Virtual Machine would let you >> > use your computer on other tasks while installing, patching, or just plain >> > mucking around with linux. Afterwards, when your really comfortable with >> > the new OS, then that's the time you go the plunge and install it on >> > physical partition. BTW, I've met a lot of people who doesn't like the >> > Gnome desktop. You do have an alternative lik > e >> KD >> > E and XFE but I'm suggesting that you give Gnome a chance first ... >> > there's a lot of customisation that you can do with it. Actually, my >> > desktop right now looks pretty much like Aqua/Mac. >> > >> > Since your using Ubunutu, I would assume that you got the 64bit version >> > (you have to select it at the option box in the Ubuntu download website >> > otherwise you'll get the 32 bit version). Also, I would suggest that you >> > visit this site and at least read up on some of its suggestions: >> > http://ubuntuguide.org >> > >> > Good luck! >> > >> > r/Alex >> > >> > ________________________________________ >> > From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of >> > Mark Deardorff [[email protected]] >> > Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 9:10 PM >> > To: Chat forum >> > Subject: Re: [Jchat] [Jgeneral] J64 on OpenSUSE 11.1 64bit OS (WAS: RE: >> > [Jbeta] 602 ebeta available for linux32 and linux64) >> > >> > Thanks everyone. Sorry Oleg, I have already invested in PC hardware and >> > cannot afford the Mac iron. I have the Ubuntu disk and will boot from it to >> > do some partition work before I install it. >> > >> > Mark >> > >> > On Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 3:36 AM, David Mitchell >> > <[email protected]>wrote: >> > >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm > -- - michael dykman - [email protected] Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If they’re any good, you’ll have to ram them down their throats! Howard Aiken ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
