I have two laptops, an IBM Thinkpad and an Acer.

Both are very good machines and both have Linux 8.04 as the sole system.

I now find I have a need for Windows of some flavour to run a specific application.

Can I setup the IBM as dual boot without losing Linux or will I need to convert it to Win and then re-install Linux? If so, how??

Colin

Install and use VirtualBox....that way you don't even have to reboot. Unless you need the machine for games, this is a better way to go. You still have the solid foundation of Linux under your Windows 'install' and if you decide you're done using Windows it's easy to delete the virtual machine.

Thanks Dave but my question is 'how do I "use" virtual box'.

I cannot see any likely looking applications added!

Colin

Thanks Dave but my question is 'how do I "use" virtual box'.

I cannot see any likely looking applications added!

Colin

Follow this link to download an appropiate *.deb/*.rpm(or you can build from source). Install it. What it does than is creates a 'virtual' computer that you can install Windows onto. Here's the instructions.

Well I got it working but it keeps asking for a 'bootable' cd. If I had a CD I could boot off i would not need a virtual box!

I will see if I can find one in Chiang Mai next week...

Thanks for the help.

Colin

Virtualbox has a way to use the cd in the host but also has a vitual cd.  Just get an ISO made of any cd and mount it virtual it installs faster anyway.  I have a CD/DVD and don't use it ever with VB.  If its a window OEM disk I use the dd command in linux and make an ISO  even the printer install cd's and games are iso .. then just select them they can be anywhere even another drive.   Netbook is a nice idea but I think its an add on to having a real laptop or PC to use at home.  because your going to need a thing like a DVD to make the iso's and other things, unless you can download them from the someplace.  once you have virtualbox you will kind of have a cd.  If you click on the cd dvd in the set up menu you should see the chioce of hardware or virtual cd.

RKASA, I simply do not understand what you are saying. I need a CD which virtual box will accept and act as if it is now a Windows computer, I have an XP CD and a Win2K CD but neither seems to work, if I go to Pantip plaza in Chiang Mai, what exactly do I need?

All assistance is appreciated,

Colin

RKASA, I simply do not understand what you are saying. I need a CD which virtual box will accept and act as if it is now a Windows computer, I have an XP CD and a Win2K CD but neither seems to work, if I go to Pantip plaza in Chiang Mai, what exactly do I need?

All assistance is appreciated,

Colin

Did you sort out the settings inside of VirtualBox to use your optical disk? That is something that probably has a bearing on the issue....

Yes I did Dave, now I cannot get VirtualBox to fire up at all! I open a terminal, type in 'virtualbox' and it just sits there!

If I try to close the terminal window it tells me there is still a process running and all I can do is kill it!!

What have I done now??

Colin

Yes I did Dave, now I cannot get VirtualBox to fire up at all! I open a terminal, type in 'virtualbox' and it just sits there!

If I try to close the terminal window it tells me there is still a process running and all I can do is kill it!!

What have I done now??

Colin

It could be that (and I've really only heard this happening under Ubuntu) there is no permission for your use to use the virtualbox module. If you

sudo virtualbox

does it start up? If so, than follow this link.

I'm also confused, did you set up virtualbox to use the cd-rom after I suggested it (and that borked the settings) or was it set up before my suggestion?

Also, you can create an *.iso of the Windows cd and save it to say your desktop. After you get virtualbox running again you can point to that instead of physical media.

Yes Dave that fired it up but my two virtual drives seemed to have vanished so I had to create a new one!!

I will create a new Win2k drive and see if that works...

I created the new Win2k but it it still the same,

'No bootable medium found, system halted'

If I press F12 and then 'c' it is still the same.

Colin

How do I create a *.iso of the windows CD?

Well I finally got XP to install!! Problem is now I need a 'product key' which I do not have. XP was on the machine when I bought it 2nd hand so the PK is lost in the mists of time!!

I will try Win2K and hope for the best....

Colin

Excellent....you've taken a few pointers and been able to use your google-<deleted> to resolve your problem....I wish more people were that intelligent.

How do I create a *.iso of the windows CD?

I use the dd command in linux.  Its not hard to do.  google the make iso from cd with dd and you get listed example uses of the command.  Its handy for many other things as well as wiping drive space.  It can read or write anything if you know how.   ISO's is an easy one.

I use the VB virtual drive rather then the hardware one which is above it.

I did a google and came up with "dd if=/dev/cdrom of=cd.iso # for cdrom". This looks like 'C' but its not quite, it doesn't do anything either, I seem to be spending quit a lot of time waiting for something to happen, that's Linux I guess!!

Colin

Win XP refuses to install without the 'Product Key'. Is there any way around this or do I have to buy another copy?

I did a google and came up with "dd if=/dev/cdrom of=cd.iso # for cdrom". This looks like 'C' but its not quite, it doesn't do anything either, I seem to be spending quit a lot of time waiting for something to happen, that's Linux I guess!!

Colin

On the Ubuntu install I have, the cdrom device is labled "/dev/scd0". Open up the computer browser and hover your mouse over the cdrom icon....should give you the information.

Here is one I used to make an ISO of a printers cd and had it made right into the location I use it from.

dd if=/dev/cdrom of=/home/<user>/bin/Printers/Lexmark1270.iso   

It can take time to run.   See if you can find a option for the command that will display progress.  Or just monitor the location the iso is being made in.  When you refresh the browser it should change size.

I am still without a Windows that works, it looks like I will have to buy another copy. I am going to Chiang Mai soon, what do I buy in Pantip Plaza that will come with the product ID so it can be installed in Virtual Box?

W2K will install regardless of other O/S present - XP will not, for the most part.

Ya do need a known, good CD for either boot install.

Well I failed to get virtualbox to work so I am going to re-install bloody Windows on my IBM Thinkpad.

There are windows applications I really need and they steadfastly to work with Wine....

I did have dual boot on the Acer but the bew hard drive scrubbed that Then installing Ubuntu 9.04 wiped what was left. so I will install one of the Windows, probably Win 2K as it is my preferred version of a crappy system. Then install Ubuntu 9,04 as dual boot...

I hope it all works!!

Colin

Correction, Niloc you where not able to get MS Windows to work as you did not have a "product key", Virtual Box worked fine, but it doesn't help you to use illegal software. Which is even in Thailand against the law.

The descend thing to do is go and legally buy MS Windows XP or any other version, the price ranges from 3500 to 8000 Baht. People like me, who use Open-source software, everyday, and I even involved in creating my own Windows XP compatible operating system belief, as strange as it my sound deeply in copyright, as nobody is going to give-up the Microsoft empire as long as they not get punishment.

You see Richard, I do own a legitimate copy of XP, it came with the computer but the moron who owned it before me failed to record the 'product key' where I could find it, he then buggered off home to England.

I found another key which worked on a 'Crack Site' but it expires in a month.