There are many reasons people are hesitant to try Linux. The biggest of these reasons is that installing Linux generally requires people to do a list of difficult and unfamiliar tasks. However, I am going to introduce “virtualization” which is a fancy term for running Linux like any other program in Windows. The following article will guide you through the process of setting up Linux so you can run it like any other program in Windows. Don’t be intimated, these directions are designed for the absolute beginner and will not require you to do anything unfamiliar, threatening, or permanent to your computer. When you are finished you will be able to run Linux like any other program in Windows and share files between Linux and Windows.
The first step is to install VMWare Player. This is a free program and it installs just like any other Windows program. You can go to the VMWare player homepage and download it. You will have to answer a short survey.
The second step is to download Linux. There are many different kinds of Linux with varying programs and setups. Understanding this can be difficult if you have never tried Linux. You can compare the different versions of Linux to Windows XP. There is Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, and Windows XP Media Center Edition. When you download Linux, it will be in the format of .ISO. Don’t worry if you have never seen this file type before. I will list several different versions of Linux below. You need to download only one version. The different flavors of Linux differ in size and thus, how long they will take to download. For the remainer of this tutorial, I will be using a version of Linux known as Fedora. However, it is 682MB in size and can take a long time to download. If you do not want to wait for Fedora you can complete the remainer of this tutorial equally well with any other version of Linux. Please note that this list is by no means exhaustive and there are hunderds of other versions of Linux available. I wanted to compile a short list to make choosing easier:
Fedora (682 MB)
Ubuntu (698.4 MB)
Suse (679.3 MB)
Damn Small Linux (50.8 MB)
Puppy Linux (84 MB)
The third step is to setup VMWare to communicate with Linux. You need to do this by downloading a file from Wolphination.The following is the direct link: OS.zip. After you download OS.zip extract its contents to your C: drive. You should now have C:\OS. Inside the OS folder I want you to put your version of Linux. So on my computer, inside C:\OS I have OS.VMX, OS.vmdk, and FC-6-i386-livecd-1.iso (this is shown above). We are almost ready to run Linux for the first time.
The fourth step is to setup your VMWare configuration file. This file is called OS.VMX you need to right click on this file and select “Open with…” and choose Notepad. On the line that says ide1:0.fileName “C:\Your file” you need to change this to point to the Linux version you downloaded. So in my case it would get changed to C:\OS\FC-6-i386-livecd-1.iso. Now resave the file and you are ready to go. Click on OS.vmx and VMWare will open and Linux will start. It may take a minute or two for Linux to fire up (depending on how much RAM your computer has).
Congratulations, you can now run Linux like any other program in Windows! In order to create a shortcut to put on your desktop, right click OS.VMX and choose Create Shortcut. Drag the shortcut to your desktop (or the location of your choice) and Linux will launch when you click it. My shortcut is shown above.
Sharing files between Linux and Windows
Using Linux on Windows will be much more helpful if you can share files between Linux and Windows. This process is really easy to set up. The first thing you need to do is to create a “New Folder” on your Windows desktop. Right click on the folder and choose “Sharing and Security…”. On the following screen, choose “Share this folder on the network” and “Allow network users to change my files.” This will let Linux read and write to the folder.
In Linux, go to Places >> Network Servers and you should see your computer. Double click on your computer and you will see all your shared folders. Any data you would like to be used in both Linux and Windows should be saved into this folder.
Please feel free to pose any questions in the comments. We will walk you through any portion of this process if you get stuck. Enjoy!
Notes: the following notes are somewhat technical in detail:
1. The download links listed above are for “Live CDs.” Live CDs allow you to use Linux without installing anything on your hard drive.
2. If the mirrors linked to above are very slow, you can find alternative download links on the homepage of each version of Linux.
3. Since Linux will be running as a Live CD, if you powerdown and exit the virtual machine (exit VMWare) you will lose your information. However, there is a way around this. Simply choose “suspend” and VMWare will suspend and exit your virtual machine state. This will not take any memory and will allow you to “save” data to your virtual machine.
4. The above steps work equally well on Linux and Mac.
well… that is fine… though it is much better idea to use VMware to run windows in linux’ window….
there is no point to run linux on unstable and security weak platform, except introducing the interface.
[...] http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/beginners-guide-run-linux-like-any-other-program-in-windows.html [...]
Great tutorial! I’ve been looking for this. Is it possible to have more than 600*800 in resolution?
@Bard: Absolutely, you can make it fullscreen
@Dandellion: Good point. As it says in the notes, the tutorial works equally well if you would rather put Windows on Linux.
Actually, if you want a little more control over it, your better off to buy vmware workstation (http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/) it’s a bit on the expensive side, $189 but worth every penny I paid.
great article, right now i am downloading linux will comment further about how the entire process went
I’m not sure if this whole setup is worth trying. With Linux installations becoming easier all the time, if you want to use it more seriously, you can just install Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat or any of the more beginner-friendly distributions. On the other hand, if you just want to evaluate Linux, grab a live CD and it will do without much trouble.
[...] Run Linux like any other program in Windows (tags: software) [...]
[...] Tutorial – Lanciare Linux come un programma di Windows con WMware (in inglese) [via] zlink!categorie: Software, Informatica, tecnologia, Internet, Zlink!, WordPress Commenti » [...]
Only to know the linux. Unix on Windows is nonsense. Windows on Linux has many possibilities.
Linux Rulez.
I appreciate the article.
There will always be Linux zealots who will tell you that these articles are pointless – these are the very same people that will hold Linux to a distant and mediocre third place position behind Windows and OS X.
Does it have to be a live CD iso? Is there a way to install Linux into a windows directory, where info can be saved without the “suspend” option? Why is this issue not covered. It was simply stated that these are live CD images, but whether or not that is required was not mentioned.
[...] Step by Step guide on how to run a version of Linux within Windows using VMWare and setting up file sharing between them.read more | digg story Posted by Alex on February 1st, 2007 Filed in Main [...]
@Lawrence: “Unix on Windows is nonsense.”
Yeah, but what about the Windows person who wants to get familiar with Linux? Running it in a virtual machine is a great way to learn and there’s no fear in wrecking the installation – you can just start over. Yeah, I know, you’re way cooler than everyone else.
I am running this very setup using the virtual application for Ubuntu that vmware supplies. I need to do this at work since IT does not allow linux machines to connect to the network as well as forcing the use of IE and Lookout. I would like it to run much faster though!
You could also download a complete virtual machine to run in VMWare without installing linux.
It would save a lot of time for someone just trying things out.
http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/directory/cat/45
What is the process to load windows into linus?
A time when we’re going to get hammered by MS fanboys is no time to come off as a raving 13 year old. Shame on you, dandellion; please try to reserve non-constructive comments for yourself, and try to be more constructive in your criticism. As many folks at MS have said, it’d be entirely possible to make Windows secure; the problem is that no one would buy it. Making childish comments will not convert Windows users, and do nothing to rectify the situation.
That said, I always scratch my head at these types of stories. I suppose if you’re at work and have to run Windows but are allowed to install software, though, this would be sweet. :-)
Bear in mind that one can install Linux on QEMU, and if you’re looking for *n?x command-line tools you can always use cygwin. Neither have the ease-of-use or coolness factor of VMWare, but both will help get you where you want to go. :-)
QEMU: http://fabrice.bellard.free.fr/qemu/
Cygwin: http://www.cygwin.com/
HTH
dandelion – you make a good point. If I am running Linux in Windows and I have a keylogger, can it get get my keystrokes before they reach the VMWare Linux ?
Cheers,
zorg.
Another site about VMWare Player, with torrents of VMWare player images for Fedora core 4, 5, and 6, Debian, FreeBSD and Ubuntu.
Good one
oops, URL for VMWare player Linux images: http://www.thoughtpolice.co.uk/vmware/
I’ve been looking for something like this ever since I figured out Linux was actually going to stick around and be useful. (I’m just sort of lazy) I did put Linux on my iPod at one point, but that just seemed kind of pointless.
Anyway, thank you very much for the tutorial. I can’t wait to try it out.
This is something that I have been wanting to do for a while however can I swap out the Live CD ISO with the install ISO?
Cartt
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If you want to be able to change settings on your Virtual Machines or if you want to create new ones, then you don’t need to buy VMware Workstation for ~$200.
There is a new open source virtualization tool called VirtualBox which runs on Windows and Linux. It has great features and is very easy to use. See my review of VirtualBox here:
http://useopensource.blogspot.com/2007/01/open-source-replacement-for-vmware.html
[...] Link here. [...]
You can always get Parallel (a vmware replacement) that is has good and that only cost 50$ to run on windows.
You can also run linux natively and run windows in parallel inside linux.
Good tutorial, yes windows on linux is more useful but cool all the same and could be a good intro.
So you say yes it can be made bigger than 800×600 but you don’t say how. It’s very small as it is and hard to use.
Fine article, finally I’ve got a good reason to try VMWare at last. ;-) Thanks!
hey can i even use Internet and USB port in that live CD thing?
How about a tutorial on using internet from with in linux vm and windows host??
I have been a Linux user for a while, but as of late I have been forced to run a Windows box. I have never been all that good with VMware and this tutorial jogged some of the neurons to where they should be, thank you.
Just did this on my work computer, with Linux flavor CentOS. Thanks so much for the walkthrough! This is just what I needed to get started on learning more about Linux.
[...] This is a great guide. I am going to give it go this weekend! [...]
If you really want to try Linux and don’t want to go through the hassle of burning and such, there are two excellent new solutions:
http://www.goodbye-microsoft.com
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/Prototype
Both of the above links allow you to install a Linux distro by downloading the associated .exe file and running it, then rebooting the machine.
Of course you can do the same thing the other way around i.e. run VMWare in Linux so you can play with Windows and switch back to Linux when you want to do serious work. Plus when Windows crashes you can just restart the VM … doing it the way you suggested, when Windows crashes, you lose your Linux and Windows sessions. VMWare also makes a nifty tool that will take an existing Windows install on real hardware and convert it to a VMWare image.
Also VMWare for the Mac is in beta … so you could just take your Linux VM, convert your existing Winblows computers to VM images, and run each of them on a Mac within a VM.
Sounds great – you can install a VM nobody cares about, and a VM that doesn’t work, on a candy ass OS X that’s so futuristic that no one wants to run a business on it
Google save us!
Sounds great – you can install a VM nobody cares about, and a VM that doesn’t work, on a candy a** OS X that’s so futuristic that no one wants to run a business on it
Google save us!
@John: Absolutely, if you download any other install CD (not a live CD) just go through the installation steps that come with the CD and it will install Linux to a “virtual” partition within Windows. If you do this you can save data and shutdown the virtual machine in the same way you do in Windows.
@HFolmt: The process is exactly the same for loading Windows into Linux. Just download and install VMWare. I find this easiest to do with Automatix.
@Zorg: I certainly think your key logger would get the keystrokes before getting to Linux.
@MattK: Just double click the title bar to move to full screen (CTRL+ALT to exit full screen).
@boy2flirt: Yes, you will be able to use the Internet and USB in the live CD.
If you just want to run Linux applications under Windows (and learn some Linux at the same time), try the free Ubuntu-based andLinux (http://wiki.gp2x.org/wiki/AndLinux), which runs under Windows. I couldn’t get the pre-beta to work, probably because I didn’t delve far enough, but the POC 2.1 behaved very well. andLinux is fast, and each application runs in its own Windows window – a bit eerie, but cool! You can install/uninstall applications (it has Ubuntu under its hood) and even – if you know enough to do so – run a Gnome or KDE desktop. Just remember in the early stages to add a space and ‘&’ after the app name in the console window (you’ll understand that as soon as you try it), and remember to shut it down with ‘poweroff’. Great fun, and can also do some serious work.
how can i connect to the internet whilst using vmware?
[...] teen titans hetai comics Step by Step guide on how to run a version of Linux within Windows using VMWare and setting up file sharing between them. teen titans lemonsread more | digg story [...]
[...] Ohhhh this could be fun. I have always wanted to try virtualization. Now here’s my chance. I will keep you posted. Either way try it for yourself. http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/beginners-guide-run-linux-like-any-other-program-in-windows.html [...]
Link luv:
http://mikecane.wordpress.com/2007/02/01/lifedrive-notes-linux-as-windows-app/
Thanks!
Great article…
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[...] -vmware on windows [...]
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows – lifehack.org “There are many reasons people are hesitant to try Linux. The biggest of these reasons is that installing Linux generally requires people to do a list of difficult and unfamiliar tasks. However, I am going to introduce “virtualization” which is a fanc (tags: linux howto tutorials) [...]
Thanks a lot for this, just one question … Approximately how much RAM does this require ??
ok, maybe i’m missing something, but i still can’t make the vm’d linux screen more than 800 x 600…sure, it goes fullscreen, but i just get an 800 x 600 linux desktop in the middle of a black background. any further pointers?
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows – lifehack.org ‘cuz I’ve always wanted to. (tags: linux lifehacks) [...]
[...] world of warcraft keygen cd key genorator Step by Step guide on how to run a version of Linux within Windows using VMWare and setting up file sharing between them. world of warcraft making bagsread more | digg story [...]
[...] Abbiamo parlato spesso su questo blog di virtualizzazione, ultimo il post su Moka5. Come ho detto anche nell’episodio del podcast che affrontava l’argomento, una delle prime cose che vi consiglio è provare ad avvicinarvi a linux proprio usando un software di virtualizzazione. E’ uscita oggi su Lifehacker (se non l’avete capito uno dei blog che più seguo su internet) una guida per beginners che tratta proprio quest’argomento. Qualche tempo fa era uscito un articolo che trattava la problematica opposta, come usare applicazioni windows sotto linux, anche questo molto interessante. [...]
@Rekzai:I would not recommend less than 512MB.
@Trent: Try putting the virtual machine into full screen when it is booting up.
If set up windows in linux will I be able to create a full backup with Acronis True Image 9.0, as I’m scared of losing everything if it all goes wrong.Thanks for any replies.
This is great because I tried using Ubuntu on a Virtual PC this morning and the display messed up really badly because of an incompatible screen res that I couldnt seem to change easily. All good now though!
VMware offer ready made virtual appliances that you download and run inside the VMware player. No hassle no risk. I found this article:
Run virtual appliances and here’s the downloads URL at VMware VMware. Most are free. Very cool.
[...] wonder woman xxx Step by Step guide on how to run a version of Linux within Windows using VMWare and setting up file sharing between them. nude wonder womanread more | digg story [...]
I did this exact thing a year ago. I had no clue about Linux. I only knew that Windows was not everthing that Microsoft said it was. I used Virtual PC first, then VMWare to virtualize a Linux machine. After a while I swapped hard drives and installed Linux for real. (I kept my old drive just in case) I am now Windows free and I will never go back! I can play harder and work faster with Linux. That other drive is now for data storage only. The only exception is that I virtualized XP on the Linux machine so I can still run AutoCAD.
[...] Beginner’s guide to running Linux on Windows [...]
[...] Step by Step guide on how to run a version of Linux within Windows using VMWare and setting up file sharing between them.read more | digg story [...]
I did everything but vmware is asking for bootable cd.
You missed the obvious choices for creating virtual machines.
VMX Builder and EasyVMX:
http://petruska.stardock.net/software/VMware.html
http://www.easyvmx.com
When I try to install Ubuntu it says I have 107GB free in the vmware virtual IDE drive when I don’t have that much free on the drive I installed vmware and the os folder on(I only have a little over 20gigs free). Is there something I can edit that manages the vmware virtual drive? How is it managed?
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows – lifehack.org (tags: Software Virtualization Hack Windows Linux) [...]
I can’t get the Puppy distro to see my networked windows folder please help thx
Is it okay to install ubuntu using this ?? When i click on install i make it past the first couple of steps and then it says “how do you want to partition the disk ?” I’m a bit paranoid and need confirmation before i go on any further lol
I am using vmware player. I am running the version of ubuntu downloaded from the vmware site. It works great, except I have not figured out how to run it in a decent sized window. It comes up about 640 wide. Has anyone out the tried to fix this ?
thanks,
i did EXACTLY wut you said to do and it tells me —- File “c:\OS\FC-6-i386-livecd-1.iso” does not exist and therefore cannot be connected as a CD-ROM image.
Virtual device ide1:0 will start disconnected.
i even uninstalled it and tried again, same thing…any help?……lol
thx
@Rekzai: Yes, feel free to select “use entire disk.” The VMWare “virtual partition” will appear anywhere between 107 GB and 157 GB. Like the post says, this will not do anything permanent to your computer. Feel free to install and write to the entire disk.
@Harlocke: Please check to make sure your FC file is located in C:\OS and not C:\OS\OS which would happen if you just copied the entire OS.zip file to C:\. Otherwise, check to make sure your FC.ISO file successfully completed when you were downloading. Sometimes I find that ISOs say they’re complete, but actually they are between 70 and 100MB short of being fully downloaded. Please double check and let me know if it doesn’t work.
Just as Help Me, I cannot get Ubuntu and Windows to share files, although I followed all the instructions. Any suggestions?
@Maxor, Help Me: Make sure you have file sharing turned on in Windows and make sure you have Internet access in Linux.
Please elaborate on your problems a bit more…Can you see your Windows computer in Places >> Network Servers in Linux? If not, you need to turn on network sharing in Windows.
Thanks for your quick reply! Ubuntu’s live CD does recognize a Windows Network with my computer in it, but that’s as far as it goes. It does not display the folder on my desktop, which was set up for that purpose.
Perhaps it’s due to the Live CD of Ubuntu, which does not allow any change and may not be configured to store files on the hard disk by default. Oddly enough, this seems not necessary, as it does this through Windows.
@Maxor: I think that if your Windows computer is being recognized in Linux, the problem is with folder sharing in Windows.
Thanks for the help, I fixed it by installing Samba and another thing in Ubuntu, allowing me to access My Shared Documents.
Hi. Thanks for the article. I’m running Windows XP on my iMac. I went through your instructions and downloaded Umbuntu. On the desktop in Linux is a Intall icon. Do I want to do that?
Thanks,
BK
@bkahn: Yes, you can install to the hard disk, or you can leave Ubuntu running as a “live CD”. Please read some of the comments above, I address your question.
yeh i double checked and its not c:\OS\OS its just c:\OS and i double checked the file it says 682MB, i still have it, but im d/l it again…ill use the new file and try again, but if it doesnt work, wut should i do next?
…hmm….
im getting the following “errors”
“PXE-E53: no boot filename recieved
PXE-m0f: operating system not found…”
what did i do wrong?
Thx….
[...] I saw this on LifeHacker. It’s a easy tutorial on how to run any Linux distro from within Windows. It only took me about 30 minutes to set up and worked perfectly. It was like I was doing a remote control session of a Ubuntu machine over the network. I don’t know why I will ever need this but it was pretty cool. Participate! Leave your comment. [...]
I have never tried a Virtual Machine or a Live CD. I do however dual boot between XP and FC4
I would be interested in reading an article that compares the 3 methods and talks of the pros and cons of the same.
I tried this, but I couldn’t complete the last step because I couldn’t find ide1:0.fileName “C:\Your file”. Rather, I only found these options:
ide0:0.fileName = “OS.vmdk”
ide1:0.fileName = “c:\image.iso”
@Edward: You want to change the line that says “ide1:0.fileName = c:\image.iso”
I spent hours trying to do this, but it didn’t work. Instead, after I tried to run it, I got three windows saying three different things. The last window said this:
File “C:\OS\FC-6-i386-livecd-1.iso” does not exist and therefore cannot be connected as a CD-ROM image.
Virtual device ide1:0 will start disconnected.
Thanks, Kyle.
@Edward: Here is a copy of my OS.VMX.
config.version = “8″
virtualHW.version = “3″
memsize = “512″
ide0:0.present = “TRUE”
ide0:0.fileName = “OS.vmdk”
ide1:0.present = “TRUE”
ide1:0.fileName = “C:\OS\FC-6-i386-livecd-1.iso”
ide1:0.deviceType = “cdrom-image”
floppy0.fileName = “A:”
ethernet0.present = “TRUE”
ethernet0.connectionType = “nat”
usb.present = “TRUE”
sound.present = “TRUE”
sound.virtualDev = “es1371″
displayName = “Test OS”
guestOS = “other24xlinux”
nvram = “testos.nvram”
scsi0:0.redo = “”
ethernet0.addressType = “generated”
uuid.location = “56 4d f3 a5 03 8c cb b9-ed bb 8f 10 a3 de b0 10″
uuid.bios = “56 4d f3 a5 03 8c cb b9-ed bb 8f 10 a3 de b0 10″
ide1:0.autodetect = “TRUE”
ethernet0.generatedAddress = “00:0c:29:de:b0:10″
ethernet0.generatedAddressOffset = “0″
checkpoint.vmState = “”
tools.remindInstall = “TRUE”
ide0:0.redo = “”
By the way, in case there was miscommunication, the above problem occurred after I successfully completed all of the steps. Again, after I tried to run it, I got three windows saying three different things. The last window said this:
File “C:\OS\FC-6-i386-livecd-1.iso” does not exist and therefore cannot be connected as a CD-ROM image.
Virtual device ide1:0 will start disconnected.
got mine to run when i redownloaded Fedora, works great….
NOW i have another question for you..lol
just say, i was to make several copies of the folder OS with the VMR player, like \OS, \OS1, \OS2 etc…and copied the vmx and vmdk files to each and copied each of the other Linux files to them i.e. vmx vmdk fedora like i have now and vmx vmdk ubunto and so on with the others in each of their own folders\os1 \os2 etc could that work, this way i wouldnt have to keep changin the files to try different versions to see which i like better or is easier?….i guess it SHOULD work right?……LOL i wont try till i hear from you then i could just drag each one to my desktop and run each like the fedora, and compare..
[...] kaynak: burada [...]
[...] kaynak: burada [...]
Do I still need the live cd after I install ??? How do I get it to stop running the live cd because its on my desktop
I already have Vista (beta), XP, Ubuntu installed on separate partitions on my primary disk.
Is there a way to load these in XP using Vm’s? So far I can only figure out how to do it using an iso
[...] Lifehack.org has “Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows“, a dead-simple tutorial for running Linux on your Windows desktop with VMWare Player. “… these directions are designed for the absolute beginner and will not require you to do anything unfamiliar, threatening, or permanent to your computer. When you are finished you will be able to run Linux like any other program in Windows and share files between Linux and Windows.” [...]
[...] Vmware – it allow you to simulate a virtual system on your windows, you can run Linux just like another application on windows [...]
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows – lifehack.org [...]
using the Fedora live CD, gets to the part where it says “press I to load the interactive startup. I did, but it does not do anything, What I am i doing wrong
You know what? I love the comments about Windows being unstable.
I used to work on Mainframes, they ran for all but 1 hour every year.
I have a production environment running 2003r2 servers that have been up and running since built (6 months ago).
I have an XP Pro box here and a Linux box and both are as stable as a rock.
If you want to learn a new O/S then this is great but please bear in mind that it is an Operating System.
I would love to know what the real work is that can only be done on 1 O/S that cannot be done on another.
I shall now delete my VM and go try another version of Linux as it gives me a chance to have a play when I have free time.
Great Info
[...] While first beginning to read this guide over at LifeHack.org I was hoping this could help me towards my stationary free environment. But you have to install VMWare not necessarily a bad thing, but it is not something I want to be the first thing I do when I hit a new stationary computer. [...]
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows – lifehack.org VMware on Windows (tags: windows linux howto) [...]
[...] When you are finished you will be able to run Linux like any other program in Windows … We are almost ready to run Linux for the first time. … Since Linux will be running as a Live CD, if you powerdown and exit the virtual machine … – More – [...]
[...] So following this guide, I finally got around to running a virtual linux off Vista. [...]
“….The only exception is that I virtualized XP on the Linux machine so I can still run AutoCAD…..”
funny how many of you ‘N1x guys need to say just one exception, or but i still keep one copy of M$ for…..
also funny to me is the security lines when reports even from your open source community show that 2003 server is more secure than RHEL or CentOS
this is a good idea i actually run 4 or 5 linux flavors from vmware – it is a great way to learn exactly how overrated these products are and why SUse now is hoping to hop into bed with BillY
as for key loggers and virii as one of you N1x GurU’s who actually know nothing about coding will jump to as your defense – anyone stupid enough to catch a vrius or inexperienced enoguh to dl a rootkit or K.L is also to naive to install your products – those people give M$ the bad name because M$ chose to provide them with “something” they could operate besides there thumb as a prostate massager.
just as funny how many M$ users will recomend a nix education for the sake of learning but how many nix users cna do nothing but talk smack about M$
then again – where we have morons who get virii – you guys have orons of the same ilk who think they are instant H4cK3r DuD3s just for installing from a cd –
i like windows i like most linux flavors –
but like most educated comp guys that have chosen M$ as their primary Focus for both stability and security I simply laugh at some of your minor league comments about M$ and get even more humor out of knowing your comments are the reasons why you will NEVER get enough market share to be taken seriously ever…
[...] There are many reasons people are hesitant to try Linux. The biggest of these reasons is that installing Linux generally requires people to do a list of difficult and unfamiliar tasks. However, I am going to introduce “virtualization” which is a fancy term for running Linux like any other program in Windows. The following article will guide you through the process of setting up Linux so you can run it like any other program in Windows. Don’t be intimated, these directions are designed for the absolute beginner and will not require you to do anything unfamiliar, threatening, or permanent to your computer. When you are finished you will be able to run Linux like any other program in Windows and share files between Linux and Windows. [...]
(i) Is there a way of installing in other primary partitions other than C:?
(ii) Is it posible to download packages and programs which is written onto the hard drive of the host computer, other than just using a frozen “live” ISO?
(iii) CAn you give step by step instructions for the above?
(iv) Noting that I have one primary partition that I am not using; the C: drive , and E: drive were made primary, then there is a cluster of 3 logical partitions in the one allowed extended partition (F:,G:, and H:) and the last I: primary since no other choices are available under WINDOWS. It was almost impossible to partition these drives without commercial software to install a dual boot system. So, do you have a way of installing on just primary I: a linux distribution which is not live and frozen?
Can you help here?
[...] So following this guide, I finally got around to running a virtual linux off Vista. [...]
it sucks…. use Xend anyway
which skin did u use when making this tutorial? The pic that shows the the shortcut for linux is the skin i have been looking for a while now. Can u tell me the name and where you got that from? thx
@Noob: Royale Theme:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Themes/Royale-Theme-for-WinXP.shtml
I’ve tried this, but when it gets into fedora using the vmware player, it says:
“The partition table on device hda was unreadable. To create new partitions it must be initialised, causing the loss of ALL DATA on this drive.
This operation will override any previous installation choices about which drives to ignore.
Would you like to initialise this drive, erasing ALL DATA?”
What do I click? So far i’ve just clicked no and it hasn’t worked, but I don’t really want to delete everything on my drive (I could just be installing Linux as usual then).
ah, i think i worked it out, i need a live cd install (i thought that was one, but it’s not)
Hi all, im using all the configuration that have been mention here and it works just fine for me.
im using the damn small linux distribution and there is only one problem which is i cant find the places>>network places as mention in the tutorial.
Hope you guys could help.Thanks in advance.
Hi, I have a problem connecting to the Internet via Vmware Linux Guest. And I would also like to be able to copy and paste between Windows XP Host and my vmware Linux Guest. If you have you could be of assistance that would be great. Also feel free to give me point by point detail as I am new to Linux.
Thanks in advance.
Just a quick word of advice for people having trouble connecting to their internet or even to their computer through the network places, make sure that your firewall isn’t blocking it!
My firewall was blocking my Linux from seeing my computer in the Network Places (so it could be a reason why its not working for others?).
Good luck everyone!
HI Patrick,
just a query for you. Do you have any idea if Damn Small Linux provide a GUI for the network places thing for copying and pasting or we just gotta stick to the typing of commands in the Linux shell for transferring file between Linux and windows.
Hope to hear from you again.
ok i got everything but i need to which ISO program you used to open it so can you help me out
i got everything except that iso program you used so if you would be so kind and tell me which ISO program you used i would be most appreciative
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows – lifehack.org (tags: linux vmware lifehacks) [...]
I have done all of this and it still doesn’t run. It says cannot find operating system. Is this for booting form a cd? If it is I don’t understand what to put on a cd.
Wow! I did it. It’s very cool. And there’s Linux running in a Window on Windows XP! It was very easy, although you have to follow the directions very carefully. Also you left out that you do have to reboot the computer after installing VMWare. And VMWare is sluggish on a 3.0 Ghz P4 with 2 Gb RAM, but that’s a complaint I’ve seen with VMWare in general. It’s like accessing a remote computer over the Internet with LogMeIn or GoToMyPC.
Some free Linuxes to try are Myah OS 2.3-SE and Knoppix. Both come with tons of programs. Slax 5.1.8 and Sauver Desktop 1.171 have some good programs and look nice. PC Linux OS TR3 and Simply MEPIS are limited to 800×600 pixels, but also have a good collection of stuff. Kanotix 2006, Ubuntu 6.10 and Puppy Linux are simple and uncluttered. And BeatrIX 2005 1F is “small, simple and elegant” with nothing but Linux and Firefox.
If you wind up liking Linux and want to do some serious work with it, you might decide to boot up your PC directly from these ISO images burnt to a CD, or doing a dual boot and partitioning your hard drive because of VM’s sluggishness. Good luck.
My tutorial on the Ubuntu forums works quite well too: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=342631
Hi,
I followed the steps mentionned above but I got the same error as Twenty5:
“PXE-E53: no boot filename recieved
PXE-m0f: operating system not found…”
What did I do wrong?
Thanks.
My problem is resolved. I just click on player/reset and it worked.
When I exit Linux and wmware player and got back to it, all my settings was losted. It looks like it’s reset everytime we start vmware. What can I do?
Thx
Great tutorial!! Everything worked out great except for the file sharing and using the internet. I tried creating a new folder and using the network sharing utility so that Linux and Windows can share files but Linux is not seeing it, and I also cannot use internet on Linux, Can anyone help? I have turned off my firewall for this, however it still did not help.
[...] Click here for link to lifehack.org page… [...]
This may be a stupid question, but which VMware do i download? Windows or Linux? If i have Windows now and i want Linux as a program. thank you
Chance
[...] 2 ו- 3 מתאימים במיוחד למתחילים. בקישור הבא יש מדריך מעולה המסביר כיצד להשתמש ב- vmware כדי להריץ את [...]
[...] 2 ו- 3 מתאימים במיוחד למתחילים. בקישור הבא יש מדריך מעולה המסביר כיצד להשתמש ב- vmware כדי להריץ את [...]
[...] http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/beginners-guide-run-linux-like-any-other-program-in-wind… Posted by Pelias | [...]
[...] Here is the originial link: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/beginners-guide-run-linux-like-any-other-program-in-wind… [...]
Great Tutorial.. I am just now starting my classes that cover Linux. I am a total noob to linux so the ability to run it inside of XP gives me the chance to learne the OS with out a dual boot.
I revisited this site after installing VMWare and such on my laptop and I saw I had a question! Sorry mrking! I’m not sure about Damn Small Linux, from my experience (I only played around with it for a bit), it seemed to be a lot more compicated than other distros. So i’m sure its too late for my reply to your question and sadly I don’t know enough about Damn Small Linux to help you out too much! Sorry! My guess for the GUI question is no, but only because I haven’t seen one (it very well could be there though).
I hope all went well!
[...] a full-on install, setting up Linux in a virtual machine is just what you need. — Adam Pash Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows [...]
when i edit the OS.vmx file as instructed and resave, it saves it as a .txt file; when i doubleclick the newly-saved OS.vmx file to make the install run, it just opens up as a txt file …. linux doesnt run, no windows open, etc. i’ve restarted but get same results. ideas ?
what a trout!! first thing a friend asked me was “did you install the vmware player ?” no, of course i didnt … i only downloaded it. once i did (and restarted) it works perfectly.
Installing Linux difficult? Not true. The majority of linux and Unix versions out there come with a LIVE CD version so you don’t even have to install anything on your computer.
1-download cd image
2-burn cd
3-boot with cd
4-run linux off cd just like windows.
It doesen’t affect your system and leaves no trace. You can try before you commit to be sure everything works. If not, shut down, remove the CD and reboot into windows.
The steps to run linux into windows is much more complicated.
VMware Workstation cannot open one of the virtual disks needed by this VM because it is larger than the maximum file size supported by the host file system. Some remote file systems do not support files larger than 2 GB, even though the file system on the server might.
I am running WIndows XP (SP2) . I did as instructed. But I am getting that error. What can I do ? I have ISO image of Ubuntu 7
Do I still need the live cd after I install ??? what should i do with my ide1:0.fileName “C:\os\gutsy-desktop-i386.iso”
???????
Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks a lot, you are the man.I very badly wanted to use linux, you made my day
oh im gonna sound like a dumb..how do i install the vm player? any checkbox i need to click/unclick on? oh gosh, i so do so love to run linux on my pc..i finished the player download now waiting for iso to finish..please help..
[...] (Source: Lifehack) [...]
It was great help for me, thankz
HELLO
R.E “Sharing files between Linux and Windows
Using Linux on Windows will be much more helpful if you can share files between Linux and Windows. This process is really easy to set up. The first thing you need to do is to create a “New Folder” on your Windows desktop”
i followed that = made a “New Folder” on desktop
I did so and apparently i dont have those options
Firstly.. the actual box/graphics looks different..secondly.. it seems in order to ( damn cant even cut n paste the text in the grey box lol)..it says
General|SHARING|Customize
Local sharing and security
To share this folder with other users of this computer only , drag it to the
SHARED DOCUMENTS folder ( clickable in blue text)
To make this folder private …………
Make this folder private ( preceded by a tickable empty box)
sorry bear with me
Then the actual
NETWORK SHARING AND SECURITY
(brief anecdote) followed by two useless greyed out err “options” that,d be
[] Share this folder on network
Share name [ useless grey rectangle]
[] Allow network users to change my files
both Phantom Options
Um..any clue if these can be brought to life as options..and are they somehow connected to “administrative Tools>>Services..and if so..would you be so kind(anyone will do cheers)to explain which service need be running in order to set up this so called “sharinf files tween guest Linux ( kubuntu ) and host XP pro
i just wanna download stuff n surf with Linux /virtual machine (sposed to be safer)… then send downloads to windows
Also ..can ya download a XP app to Linux desktop… burn it and expect it to run on the OS it was designed for???wanting the benefirs of Linux (safety)… and practicality of XP… shiploads of music software.. thanx much appreciated
Dear Maxor / Kylepott
Firstly I’d cheer to have an article like this.. well it would be an repeatative stuff but I cann’t stop my self saying ..’it’s damn good’
coming to the point for Maxor,
I’m having the same problem as you have had in past (Feb 3rd post) that Ubuntu’s Network Server does not recognize the Sharing done form Windoes XP.. in the next post you have mentioned that you have been able to fix it by installing Samba and another thing in Ubuntu, allowing you to access Shared Documents…. I’m new about Samba.. (I dont even know what exactly it is.) Would like to have a brief details about the Samba and step by step information about the resolution you have adopted to access the shared documents.. Also it would be help full if you can letme know something to access Internet on the Ubuntu’s Linux desktop running under VMWare with Windows XP host machine.
Cheers.. !!!!!
wouldnt opening up your sharing like that at the base level to get access to all your files leave laptops open on wireless networks.
Hi PapaSmurfberry
Well, I’m not sure about leavibng the laptop open for wireless network while trying get the access the files via base level sharing.. but I’d still like to go ahead with that as I do not have Wi-Fi adaptor enabled on my laptop..
All of you people, this was written before VirtualBox came out. (virtualbox.org) it is free, even the full version. All you have to do is to download the same .iso file, or a different one. Then set it up in virtual box by starting a new machine, and then clicking mount cd/dvd drives-> Cd/dvd image-> and then navigate to the .iso file. Then you can create a virtual harddisk of a size of your choice, and reboot(the Virtual Machine) to have linux running. Right now I have Debian running in XP.
Its a lot easier than VM ware and it is free.
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows [...]
[...] Good tutorial on running Linux like any other Windows program [...]
Hi Kyle Pott,
Many thanks for ur informative article.
I have a doubt mate.Presently I have installed win98 SE [C:] and windows-Xp [D:]in my system.Now I want to run fedora on WindowsXp without affecting the current status of my system.
As per your instructions,inside C:\OS,I’ll put OS.VMX, OS.vmdk, and FC-6-i386-livecd-1.iso.I’ll also configure the OS.VMX(strictly as per your instruction),but I’ll install VMware Player in windowsXp and if I click OS.vmx file, Will Fedora Linux fires up??? Will this process workout?
In a nutshell,I want to use fedora on windowsXp like any other program,at the same time,windows 98 should not be disturbed by any means.Plz provide me a solution.Thanks a lot.
[...] example, you could set up VMWare to run Linux as a virtual machine on Windows (the VMWare client is absolutely free). Or, you can setup your machine to multi-boot into Linux; [...]
hey guys , i wanted to install edubuntu in my Vmware 5and wanted to share other d,e,f, drive using Vm ware but i am not able to do using edubuntu
kindly help…..urgen pls
Wow, this look excellent. Firstly, because I can’t get my wireless to work through Ubuntu – and it’s a pain needing to load up Windows every time I want to go on the net, then quitting and booting into Ubuntu to try out the newly acquired info, then having to go boot back into windows to do more research.
Maybe this way I could do both, and get my irritating wireless to work in Ubuntu – although, I don’t think this is Ubuntu’s fault, I think this may be my ISP’s latest router flash upgrade.
hello,
Thanks for the solution.
I have linux and windows installed in my laptop as dualboot with grub. Is it possible to start/run windows in linux (or) start/run linux in windows as running any other graphical application.
I mean to say I dont want to install windows inside linux or linux inside windows through vmware, as linux and windows both are installed and can be booted as individual OS.
Hi, I had some problems with the installation. Can someone help me?
1. The first part I got stuck with was after I finished changing the file name to my version of linux, I saved the file. Therefore the file changed to a notepad image. I ried to open it with VMWare but it didnt work. I tried redownloading the OS.zip file again and the notpad icon appeared on the Os.vmx file. What should I do?
2. my second problem is with Wolphination. What are u suppose to download from this site and how do u install it, and do u need this file.
I hope someone can help me. Thanks
Hi I’ve posted on here earlier before and solved the first part of my post. Still have problems with the second part.
I’ve encountered a new problem which is that I ran the OS.vmx file and it said that it could not find the ubuntu linux iso file. But I have the file in the C: folder. I’m not sure what seems to be the problem. can someone help me? thanks
Hi, the part i’m up to is i ran the OS.vmx file on VMware and it asked me to test OS and the result were that they didnt find my operationg systme of ubuntu. What should I do and does this invovle me not installing the file from Wolphination.
I’ve solve the problems on the previous post. and was wonder how to share files when created new folder. I have windows vista?
I am looking for a version of linux that i can run on a pc that only has 90 mb of ram, is there such a thing? It is an older pc that I have that I thought I could break my self in on.
Hey… Great Tutorial… Very short and very usefull…
Bang bang .. Linux.. WOW
[...] For a long time I’ve planning to switch to Linux using one of its distributions; especially Ubuntu. But the only thing that stops me the time involved and the possibility of losing the functionality of my current software. What if my modem refuses to connect. What if all the utility programs I’ve been using up till now stop responding. What if I format the hard disk by mistake while partitioning it? There’s a solution now that I’m going to try one of these days and you can find it in a blog post titled Run Linux Like Any Other Program In Windows. [...]
I am having troube transfering files from windows to linux. I cant find the folder in linux. The transferring portion of this tutorial doesnt seem to work for me. Any suggestion?
for @CHRIS
see on http://www.distrowatch.com for
Damn small linux (DSL)
or Xubuntu
[...] å bruke andre operativsystemer enn Windows. Den går også andre veien. Windows-brukere kan integrere et linuxmiljø direkte i Windows slik at de får det beste fra to verdener. Dette fungerer ved bruk av virtualiseringsprogram som [...]
Indeed this tutorial made a great difference in my approach to trying out new software need to install them directly on os platform. I am so grateful for all your efforts.
I am running 98, and when i try to install vmware, it says that “setup is not configured, setup will not continue”
any help?
I just completed the install and things are working great. The only problem I’m having is working online via the VMware player playing linix. I used the Ubntu flaver if that matters. Any thoughts would help… Thanks in advance.
The problem with Linux is that whenever there’s a need to trouble shoot things it requires programming skills. How will you convince someone who is about to use the Internet or the computer for the very first time to use Linux?
Can you run linux files downloaded by windows on this i broke my MP3 player and the only way to fix it is to run a file that cleans everything on linux and i dont know anyone who has one
How would I update the ide1:0.fileName = “c:\SLED10-SP1-CD-i386-RC5-CD1.iso” if I have 5 iso cd images in the OS folder?
Thanks for the solution.
Yes this is a great article, I have configured sql on windows server made a connection from linux to windows running the sql database, even if I shut down vmware my data from sql still remains in the database on windows server. I think I will be using linux for a whole of data input back to my server, Just love the interface.
Thanks again, it was worth the install
Joe
I have Suse 1.2 installed on my machine this distro does not come with all the correct drivers to run all my hardware at optimal levels. I’m thinking of installing Windows as the primary OS, VMWare server on Windows and Suse on top of VMWare.
Will I have better hardware support with Linux on top of Windows?
Hello Ruben, I installed openSUSE-10.3-GM-KDE-i386 on vmware , I got all device drivers except for video drivers. I have a ATI 512mb video card x1600 pro agp (love this card) for some reason suse defults to xvga driver , but every thing is visable and clear.I can live with it, as I stated in my eary post, “it was worth the install” I gone crazy with this vmware , I also have in different diretories on windows, Ferdora Core, DSL, PClinux, Helix_V1.9-07-13a-2007, mandriva-linux-2008-one-KDE-cdrom-i586, and also debian-40r1-i386-CD-1 all off these distro’s have all drivers (except suse for video) but I love this vmware , thinking of actully supporting it and buying it. Hope this info was helpful.
Joe
nrsinc.net
Will linux run just as fast using a parallel desktop as it would if it were installed as the only os on the computer?
Hey BG, am I the only one answering post here (LOL) I have 4gigs of ram with a x1600 pro 512 ati card it runs like a charm, I started using the vmware for data entry back to my sql server on a win2003 server box. while chating on im, and running a mp3 program all at the same time, all programs seem just as fast as a regular desktop, again for me it was worth the install.
Joe
nrsinc.net
hey guys, can PENDRIVE LINUX use beryl or what
[...] read more | digg story [...]
cool cant wait to try this.
fatal error anyone?
Hey thanks for tishi tutorial, i tried to run nimble X but it says error 15 nad cant load the program can you help me?
Hi i have windows in one partition and fedora in another, i can use grub to boot from either partition. However i was wondering if i can use vmware to run fedora from the second partition? So that any modifications i make on fedora are saved and if i reboot into fedora the changes are there. Obviously there isnt just one .iso file but is there a file within fedora itself that i can direct this vmware to run fedora? Also if i use the ISO image from vmware can i download updates for fedora; download compilers and other software from repositories and they will still be there next time i enter the fedora iso from windows?
[...] Gear Diary wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptHi i have windows in one partition and fedora in another, i can use grub to boot from either partition. [...]
hey, alright so for a few days i tried this tutorial and it didn’t work. So then i looked on download.com and it has something that automatically sets it up for puppy linux. all you have to do is download the vmware player and the thing on download.com and it works. so ya.
I tried dual booting my PC with linux and frankly I think it doesn’t compare to windows, linux is crappy in my view, I used both Freespire and Sabayon and have seen Ubuntu, they all suck and look crappy, and these people who like to bash Microsoft do it just because they are jealous of the success of this company and their dislike of Bill Gates, who’s a great chap BTW as he at least gives to charity, Linux will never be as big as Windows as there are so many distros out there that boggle the mind, and they are so hard to set up and learn if you are new to them, so get over it Windows is here to stay and be user friendlier than linux will ever be, as for security, just wait till some linux haters like you windows haters, start writing malicious code for linux…
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows (via VMPlayer) [...]
Well William,
Linux is free, and alot of poor people are now able to have a decent operating system for free, and get alittle pleasure in life. Frankly, why did you even post your garbage response?
I am trying to download fedora.i have tried it twice and still unsuccessful.Unless it is downloaded i will not be able to try this out.Does anybody out there have any suggestions..Thanks in advance
Hi.. i have done the installation as per the instructions mentioned in the article..when i click configuration file to get into linux..it is asking for localhost login..?? what is this..? is this equal to windows login id..? if i dont have any in windows.?? how can this be handled.?
just to start off im a big windows person i love windows …… but vista blows so far. i,ve been whating to try out linux for some time now and im likeing it so far but i have 1/2 problems with this …..so some one PLZ HELP ME lol .
1. the dame thing is password protected and i can not change andthingand the sceen is set to 800 by 600 and i cannt change that b/c everything is password protected
i download the Fedora Linux can some one plz plz help me
K i solverd my own problem lol but now i have a new one i can not connect to the net lol i have fedora core 8 i have the full dl i just cannot connet to the net ??? help
ok now with the last part of that where it tells you how to share files between windows and linux wouldnt it be just as easy to do that and then run the live cd the normal way instead of using vmware. im running on an old ibm taptop so its just less stress full on the system
I have an x86 64 bit machine running under a 32 bit Windows XP OS. Can I run a 64 bit Linux OS? If so How do I set uo & install?
Thanks in advance.
this was originally sent w/ the wrong e-mail address. The address above is correct.
I have an x86 64 bit machine running under a 32 bit Windows XP OS. Can I run a 64 bit Linux OS? If so How do I set uo & install?
Thanks in advance.
hi. the fedora link is password protected. can someone lead me to a site where i can download it?
Wow… thx… this works fine.
Im using my own KnoppixLiveCd, and it works.
The bootable ISO’s are also handy for people wanting to test the water.
Can i connect to internet?And do i need to set up the firewall?Thanx.
try Wubi, it installs ubuntu as a app that you can uninstall, but you get to chose wich to boot at start up. It also runs faster.
I have tried to boot the fedora live cd but when it gets to the terminal and it starts to boot it says:
___________________
Buffer I/O error on device sr0, logical block 356824
Buffer I/O error on device sr0, logical block 356825
Buffer I/O error on device sr0, logical block 356824
Buffer I/O error on device sr0, logical block 356825
SQUASHFS error: sb_bread failed reading block 0exac757
SQUASHFS error: unable to read uid/gid table
mount:wrong fs type, bad option,bad superblock on /dev/loop2, In some cases useful info is found in syslog- try dmesg ; tail or so
Bug in inittramfs /init detected. dropping to a shell. Good Luck!
bash:no job control in this shell
_______________________
So what do I do?
thanks Best regards
Thanks for the article, I am trying to switch from Windows to Linux for ethical reasons. I am a newbie but this will allow me to experiment with Linux before switching. Thank you, I appreciate the time you spent writting it.
[...] Idea looks cool. I was also searching for the same thing. After little bit of Googling got one link http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/beginners-guide-run-linux-like-any-other-program-in-wind… This article explains everything about making it possible. (Thanks Kyle [...]
thankss
thanks.
One problem that I noticed with Linux is that it requires programming skills every time you need help about something. One must be familiar with basic codes in order to solve some problems. Even saving of files isn’t that handy. Most importantly, it’s not easy to share files with someone who is not using Linux.
i have been attacked left right and center with virus using windows and now i want to change to Linux but i know nothing about it. is it virus free? is it user friendly as windows? How do i go about installing it?
I keep getting this error:
“Error while powering on: Failed to connect to peer process”
Its been said that it was possible to change the solution? but how?
i have tried changing it in fedora (the system opts while running)
but that doesnt quite work, it just tells me to log out and restart the “X” server.
though i have tried logging out and restarting it doesnt quite work.
can anyone inlighten me? :P
i need to let Microsoft OCS 2007 communicate with Asterisk. A client
using analog phone or soft phone should be able to talk
to another using office communicator. I will provide
virtual machines where everything is installed. You should
provide one single virtual machine where SER or OPENSER is installed
to let the communication occur between OCS 2007 and
Asterisk/Trixbox.
i have win2003server edition which have Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition.vmdk.and i have also installed VMware player to run >VMDK (virtual disk files) burt it showing error
“Error While opening the virtual machine”C:\Win2003PDC\Win2003PDC\Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition.vmdk”syntax error 1″ .i also searched on google for this error.but no match found.
please help me to sort out the problem
Thanks. I now have OpenSuse running on my Laptop.
Suse doesn’t show me the Windows machine I am going through the comments above. Any tips you provide in the meanwhile would be much appreciated .
Thansk You
Dj Akman
http://www.Birakma.Net
I am a bit confused by your article here. You stress that one must use a live CD version of the chosen Linux OS with VMware player. The live CD plays on its own without VMware. What does VMware contribute to the live CD that plays on its own?
[...] http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/beginners-guide-run-linux-like-any-other-program-in-wind… [...]
Thanks! This has got to be the most useful guide I’ve ever encountered on the internet! Way to go! Works a lot better then I expected!
Ugh. I’ve read through most of the comments, but I cant find any help, and I really hope someone replies to this and helps me. I cant get it to work. I have C:\OS and not C:\OS\OS. i have the Ubuntu iso downloaded. I made a live CD, i’ve tried it, it works perfectly. But I cant seem to get this to work. I’ve changed the file name to “C:\OS\ubuntu-7.10-desktop-amd64″. i’ve tried it with “710″. i’ve tried it with “.iso” added on to the end. i’ve tried it with just “ubuntu.iso” (all after editing the file name, of course) and I just cant get it to work. It keeps giving me the same thing i’ve seen others post “blahblahblah does not exist and therefore cannot be connected as a cd-rom image.” Help? Please? kthnxbye.
Double check the case variable of the path to the .iso. C:\OS and C:\os are very different.
You can also try deleting the generated files other than the OS.vmdk and OS.vmx and letting VMware rebuild the files to clear out any possible conflicts.
I followed the steps above and was able to run fedora on my windows but i am having problems file sharing. I followed the guide presented above but when i click networks in places it does not show me my computer. I checked my ip address using command line and it is different from my actual IP . please tell me what can i do to enable sharing of files between the two systems
cool article.
i have puppylinux up and running under vmware. but the filesharing is an issue. i can scan the windows machine and see my shared folder but cannot mount it. windows firewall is turned off. I’m using LinNeighborhood. I don’t see Network>>Places anywhere in puppy so I’m using ROX-file.
any thoughts?
Hi there,
I followed the instructions carefully, changed that line in NotePad, but then when I re-saved it and clicked it, it opened the NotePad text.
It just launches NotePad and shows me that piece of code.
I’d appreciate your help.
Regards, Josh
How do you get fedora to mount my physical cd-drive?
Is there a way to do this using the CD that Ubuntu send you rather than having to download the file? I have the CD but there is no .iso file .. any tips?
thanked post
How do you get fedora to mount my physical cd-drive?
I cannot create a sharing folder in Windows Vista, there is no such option as Sharing and Security when I right-click the New Folder.!
Good article… I have a installable CDs (2 CDs) of HP Linux, came with my laptop. Could you please explain how can I make use of the same instead of downloading the ISO from the internet?
Thanks in advance :)
thanx post live.
thankss
Some things to say to those asking to try with “real” linux (not live). This advice, as I understand, is to start live linux distro in windows. Like you do from booting from CD and not installing anything to hard drive. And this does it with the help of vmware player. Note the word “player”. If you want to change something crucial, you need vmware workstation. You just cannot name something to xxx.iso and wait it to work. So this procedure needs something to start without installing anything. I use often this procedure to check some iso-files ,is it worth burning them at all. By the way, GRReat summer for everyone out there.
i have a problem even after following all the steps, when i double click OS.VMX file it says the following “VMware Workstation cannot open one of the virtual disks needed by this VM because it is larger than the maximum file size supported by the host file system. Some remote file systems do not support files larger than 2 GB, even though the file system on the server might.Cannot open the disk ‘C:\OS\OS.vmdk’ or one of the snapshot disks it depends on. Reason: The file is too large”
what to do please help
I have the same problem like reddy,
is there a solution?
That would help!!!
Thanks.
Muchas gracias!
I had problems with “puppy”, but with DSL it works perfectly
thanks
this is great :D
can someone plz help when i try and open it i get this message
Error while powering on: VMware Workstation cannot open one of the virtual disks needed by this VM because it is larger than the maximum file size supported by the host file system. Some remote file systems do not support files larger than 2 GB, even though the file system on the server might.
Cannot open the disk ‘D:\OS\OS.vmdk’ or one of the snapshot disks it depends on.
Reason: The file is too large.
AHHHH
For the guy/girl who posted the first post dandellion, you mentioned Windows as unstaibile well I got bad news for you, Linux is the unstable uncompleted OS full of errors and tedious to install + you got to mention that you are dreamming about compairing the windows desktop with the amature, confusing opensource operating system of linux which one needs a computer science degree to install a small program on and a PhD to install a driver and or a library of books and years of dedication, Linux is best suited to professional IT and Geeks who can fix things up, don’t push average users to this tedious OS.
thanxx sites
I worked around the 2 GB file error message reported by several people by creating the OS folder on my local drive rather than a USB drive.
This tutorial was awesome, thanks! I downloaded the current Ubuntu CD image. I was delighted when after running the install and even after truly shutting down and exiting the vm, ubuntu came right up and was ready to roll!
thanx for nice share
hi..
when i double click the file a message pop up says,
VMware Workstation cannot open one of the virtual disks needed by this VM because it is larger than the maximum file size supported by the host file system. Some remote file systems do not support files larger than 2 GB, even though the file system on the server might.
Cannot open the disk ‘E:\OS\OS.vmdk’ or one of the snapshot disks it depends on.
Reason: The file is too large.
can anyone help me on this problem?
pleeaaasse.. :-(
juram101@yahoo.com
I have a problem with this,I follow the article and finished it and I start the VMWare, when it is started it contain error that :
“Cannot open the disk ‘C:\OS\OS.vmdk’ or one of the snapshot disks it depends on.
Reason: The file is too large.”
what should I do for this error to run linux on windows as soon as possible?
artinr@pyroj.net
how to run linux more easier?
i keep getting error Error while opening the virtual machine: File “C:\OS\OS.vmdk” line 1: Syntax error.
is there a way to use live CDs of ubuntu other than downloading it from the beginning? how can i find that .ISO on live CD?
thank you
Thanks. I now have OpenSuse running on my Laptop.
Suse doesn’t show me the Windows machine I am going through the comments above. Any tips you provide in the meanwhile would be much appreciated .
BTW, make sure you run the VMX FILE NOT THE VMDK!
Linux isnt detecting the keyboard. I am not able to open a new file and start typing into it. Mouse works fine though. Please help.
one commment. Mouse Scroll wheel might not work. try this link
http://peterc.org/2008/64-how-to-enable-vertical-mouse-wheel-scrolling-in-ubuntu-hardy-on-vmware-fusion.html
Error while powering on: The VMware Authorization Service is not running.
is wat i m getting wen i start.PLz help…
ThanksOyou
ThankxYpu
aaaaaaaThanks You will
Thanksyouqa
Yukle tadına var :D
Ythanksyou weryy
werygooog
Thanksssss
[...] would like to be used in both Linux and Windows should be saved into this folder. Bibliography 1. http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/beginners-guide-run-linux-like-any-other-program-in-wind… page_revision: 1, last_edited: 1227102882|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z (%O ago) edittags history files [...]
thanks a lot very good Yes Thats is a good zirve
How to increase the VM virtual disk file size? I tried to install language support within linux and it said not enough space.
http://www.vmware.com/products/player/overview.html
Download VMware to increase the VM virtual disk file size
Anyone know where to get a copy of the os.zip? The host is down and I haven’t been able to find another copy of it elsewhere.
unable to get to linux.wolphination.com/data/OS.zip host is down can i find a copy of it.
Where can I get the OS.zip from?
Yes I can’t find OS.zip either if I do though I’ll give you guys a link :P
http://www.minds.nuim.ie/~mach/OS.zip – Here we go!
Hi, I have a few questions. i would like to try to run Mythdora (Mythtv). Windows would not use the TV card but will myth be able to use it not being native? Also does the linux system get IP address from the DHCP server?
Is this just to complicated to do on a virtual box?
TIA
Zane217
1. “The linux system” is like saying does “Mac”… which distribution are you interested in using?
2. By default VMPlayer (correct me if I’m wrong here guys!) will just create a software “Ethernet cable” to your system’s wi-fi card.
3. Using a VM is not going to make your problem less complicated I shouldn’t think!
1. Mythdora (latest version)
2. If my windows computer is on Ip address 192.168.1.2 the linux/mythdora cannot have the same address, Can it? How would any information going to either computer know where it should end up. maybe it just works I don’t know….
3. using VM ware will make it more difficult. the other option is to yank the card out and put it in another computer every time I want to switch from linux to windows. I would like to migrate to linux but use teh card in a windows box from time to time.
Update… I downloaded everything and installed it. I received a repeated bad error from VMware… Something about not finding the ISO image. I would try to see where my problem is but it looks like VMware only supports a few types of hardware (ethernet cards, sound cards, ect.) It looks like to hard a battle but it was the first time I mesed around with VMware which is something I have wanted to do for more than a year now.
Thanks for the help and the intro to VMware. maybe with more time Ill look into and figure it out.
Gary
Missing .iso
Open the .vmx file with notepad or similar and point the file at the iso section.
I can’t download the file on Wolphination.com site.Can you put the direct link where I can download the OS.zip.thnk u
wolphination.com is down, any other links?
nevermind
can i run my C programs? can i use the gcc compiler using the live CD?
wolphination isn’t working, are there any other places I can get it from?? Thanks in advance!
i am not able to download os.vmx, i think it is broken. please give me new link to download.
thanks for ur help
I understand that using linux live CD you can’t install application on linux.Can you please include on how to run install cd on vm..
i also cant download os.iso from wolphination… could anyone put it back or something or gave us new link for this… thank you very much…
Thanks for this. To all of those who say it is pointless to run Linux on a VM within Windows, I have to disagree. I use Windows simply to save time. For example, I don’t have to worry about Wireless issues on campus where they use an odd form of authentication/encryption.
I use Linux very often for certain dedicated servers and have spent many hours configuring. On my laptop, I run Windows XP and would like to use a Linux VM as a testing environment for PHP and AJAX applications.
This tutorial was useful to me specifically for the pointer to use Wolphination’s OS.zip. Very nice indeed. Thanks again!
thank you very much.
OS.zip or Wolphination links are broken. Can you send me the correct link?
Thanks
http://www.bagside.com/bagvapp/
A good site for downloading Virtual appliances and OS’s.
Some of the networking problems can be caused by firewalls, but most likely if you are using a router you may have to change NAT to Bridged under the Network tab. I have used for VMWare for a while but recently switched to VirtualBox which is easier to setup, and seems to perform much faster. Oh yea it’s FREE
Also if running VirtualBox inside *nix, do not download from the repos, because this version does not handle USB. Download from the site and install: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
@BILLGATES you are just like every other fanboi out there, wheter MS, *nix, BSD… you are no different than any other Zealots of the world. Another useless comment by another USELESS troll. I think you would hop in bed with BILLY in a minute and have some hot Turbo-Nerd sex.
[...] Find a distribution that you want to try out. (keep in mind: if you have an slow computer, you should choose one of the lighter versions of Linux) Find a distribution Follow this guide Install Linux using Vmware [...]
your links need to be updated :)
Hi,
I have managed to use puppy 4.2 as per instructions. only problem is i dont know where to look for the shared folder in puppy. also i tried to install firefox on puppy but it didnt get saved for the next time when i started the virtual machine. any suggestion how to save the changes 1 makes when in the session and when logging off so that they are there for next session on logging again
[...] Windows:Follow this guide Install Linux using Vmware on Windows [...]
can i run all linux command and shell programming in Fedora
I have followed this site! thank you..
In this case, being essentially considered a criminal (and yes, they do consider legitimate webcasters criminals– it’s only a matter of time before they come out and say it…) even though you have tried to play by the rules is wrong, but otherwise unremarkable
The link to download the OS.zip file is not working. You can download it from http://rs758tg.rapidshare.com/files/207601054/3066290/OS.rar. will someone please e-mail me the file to lancereid1@hotmail.com… i cant seem to download it from there. PLEASE!!
[...] Thanks to Author, source here [...]
..rright, so how do you TRY myth tv without jacking up your PC or re-formating it?
Dual boot is a very good way to start with Linux.
The person who has written this method can be a nice person…but given links are full of viruses….for sure all those related people they dont know how many fathers they r having….they r real mother Fuc*ers….pure for sure.
Hi Kyle. Thanks for the GREAT Tutorial. Afew Queries for my use.
Q1. I have a Debian app which needs 3 partitions. Can I partition inside VMWare for debian to recognise ?
Q2. OR would it be better to have native Debian with 3 partitions & have Win as virtual on Linux ?
Q3. If so, how ?
Hope I haven’t been impractical. Thanks again Kyle
Really very nice article…..
Hi
i have problem withe my VMware, when i do double click it say “Error while powering on: Check for missing files failed:
Insufficient permissions to access the file.”
i use “ubuntu-9.04-alternate-i386.iso”
help me please ta.fateh@yahoo.fr
i tried following the instructions,everything worked fine till i tried to save the os.vmx file as ide1:0.fileName “C:\OS\pup-431.iso”
it keeps showing the same error-”"cannot create
the C”\OS\OS.vmx file” make sure path and filename are correct” please help.
tell me what i might be doing wrong
I tried it the other way round, I have as well dual boot. This would be for Windows-user who wants to try Linux.
Use Linux. Spend some time to learn how to use it. Use console as much as you can. You will learn to be creative.
This works out pretty well. I use the method to use Xsane which runs my old USB scanner that is no longer supported by Vista/Win7. If you permission issues, first make sure the directory c:\OS has its attributes set to read/write and not read only. Then if it still fails check permissions for running VMware and the files in question. Also, set the RAM for the VM higher than 512K if there are are issues with Linux hanging.
Thanks for all of the great information in this article!!! When I made the change in the text for step 4 above I had to type in format which is slightly different to above. And Chris when I finally thought I was beaten because of permission issues you helped me solve it. Especially right clicking the OS folder, to find that it actually was enabled as read only. When I unchecked that I finally got the rest of the way. Thanks again. Blackie
wolfination is no longer their, their site was deleted or moved, so here is a new link to os.zip
http://web.archive.org/web/20070706060253/http://linux.wolphination.com/data/OS.zip
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows [...]
[...] Beginner’s Guide: Run Linux like any other program in Windows [...]
thnk you my friends
This was supposed to be easy. Yeah, riiight. I’ve read the comments (2007-2009); Whew! Should have paid attention to the other site that said ‘don’t try this without HiSpeed Internet’ {paraphrase}. Guess I’ll never try or switch to Linux. Rats! Stuck with MSy OS!
veery good mirc
[...] kaynak: burada [...]
The OS.vmx would not allow me to save after editing the error “This file is set to Read-only”
Right click OS.vmx – then go to Properties – General and un-check “read-only”. Worked for me!
thanx seen wat was wrong the OS folder was set to read only
I tried it the other way round, I have as well dual boot. This would be for Windows-user who wants to try Linux.
Great article.
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Virtualbox from Oracle/Sun is a must try to run any OS from any other OS. It’s performance is very much equal to VMWare and it is free. Also, instead of a group of files, there is a single harddisk file representing one OS in virtualbox. Makes deleting an unwanted installation so easy :). A details writeup here-
http://www.toolsbysk.com/skarticles/pages/Arun_2/running-multiple-operating-systems-in-a-single-computer.html
http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Excellent Article. Installing it now.
Thanks! Everything worked for me. A couple of questions. Is it possible to enable web browsing from the VM? I want to download a few apps – namely Perl.
Hey great article. Your post will be a great help for newbies like us. Thanks for your suggestion and information regarding running Linux.
Thank You
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/articles/Windows/Run_Linux_in_Windows/
This place has another way to install it
u cannot download os.zip nw !!
is there any other option
help asap !!
the OS.zip file goes to a wierd website and none of the linux OS’s links work either but other than that great article
good link for OS.zip : http://teamnirvana.com/blog?dl_id=1
the link for fedora is broken the real one is http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/releases/14/Live/x86_64/http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/releases/14/Live/x86_64/
the os.zip is also wrong the real direct download link is http://teamnirvana.com/blog?dl_id=1
sorry the real fedora link is http://fedoraproject.org/get-fedorahttp://fedoraproject.org/get-fedora
when i go to that fedora link given above by u and as well as by the author its showing as file not found waht to do???? any suggestion??
[...] found a decent tutorial that explained the basics of installing a Linux distribution virtual machine onto your computer. [...]
Hello : )
Quote:”In Linux, go to Places >> Network Servers and you should see
your computer. Double click on your computer and you will see all
your shared folders. Any data you would like to be used in both Linux
and Windows should be saved into this folder.
Please feel free to pose any questions in the comments. We will walk you through any portion of this process .” Help I am stuck I cannot seem to be able to find this in puppy 2.14 and trying to locate a shared folder on my Win 2000 desktop. Thanks
I’m new at this, but I have used Apple //+, //c, //e, //gs, TRS-80 Model 1, 286, 386, Pentiums 1-4, and now have a Lenovo laptop which had Windows 7 that decided one day that it could no longer recognize itself as being legitimate, so it started telling me that I had to reinsert the security code from the case, but when I did it said it was not valid and that I could “PURCHASE” another validation code. BULLSHIT!.
Therefore, I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 11, and was able to access everything on the computer again, with one problem: Simple programs like batch files or old PC command files will not run. If I try to activate any file that ends in extension .COM or .EXE, Ubunto wants to know what installed program is required to run those files and they are obviously self-running files.
Anyone have a suggestion as to what I should do? I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO WINDOWS 7, and the laptop will not allow me to install XP on it (it hangs during the installation). I would like simple instructions as to how to run simple programs and even batch files that do nothing more than copy a file from one location to another and give it a current value.
An answer would be most appreciated.
Look up Wine for running windows executables in linux. Some work better than others.
Welcome to Linux – and a good one you chose to load.
Unfortunately the files you mention(.COM, .EXE, .BAT), you can not run from within Linux – they are “Windows BINARY executables (other than the “.BAT” ones). Programs have no particular EXTENSION in Linux but use a different binary format than Windows.
Bottom line is: Linux can be used as an ALTERNATIVE operating system and will not run your Windows applications.
OS.zip is no longer at that location.
Would anyone advise me of why my audio is running through my voip phone and not my speakers I am using Linux and wondering how to adjust My audio settings I have Rhythmbox as my audio
Thankyou For any help You could provide Me,
Thankyou
I’m going to try this with VMLITE Workstation. It beats VMware, Virtual PC, Virtual Box hands down IMO. Built off of virtual box, VMLite has many improvements and features Virtual box don’t have. It has way better support for graphics and can even do direct 3d rendering and uses lots of memory for graphics/games. All OS’s I try in it run way better then other virtual machine software and I have tried them all. i can actually play good games on this as well as I can in windows. I cannot do that in any other virtual machine. It’s Free http://www.vmlite.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37&Itemid=129
I want a database client on my VM to be able to communicate with the db on my host machine – how do I do that with a VM?
the Wolphination.and OS.zip. are broken
the Wolphination.and OS.zip. links are broken
OS.Zip at Wolfination is not free!
the OS.zip cannot be found on that link and i download it from another link but i cant change the ide1:0.fileName “C:Your file”. MAybe its corrupt i dont know…..
YOU ROCK!
Hey guys, try andlinux, run linux apps right inside windows
http://www.andlinux.org/
Hi,
I followed your instructions until it came to opening the VMX file with notepad. it didn’t give an ‘open with’ option so i opened it normally and changed the default file to notepad. Now i can’t change it back to whatever it was before and when i double click on the VMX file i just get it opening in notepad the whole time :(
i have tried deleting everything and starting again but the VMX file is always always opening with notepad.
how do i fix this problem??
can you do the samething and install OS Lion instead of Linux in VMWare from windows
Nice tutorial. You can also install linux in windows using VirtualBox:
http://jabroo.blogspot.com/2011/10/installing-linux-windows-virtualbox.html
tnx so much pal!i didn’t know how to use it!
I have just tried this method. However, on running the shortcut, the vmware player opens but it is then unable to boot linux claiming it cannot find the operating system – the links are all correct in the .vmx file. Also, with this method of running linux can you run/install programmes within the linux distribution. I have seen other posts which partition the hard drive from the vmware player – this doesn’t seem to involve any partitions so I am wondering where any files etc. in linux are saved. Thanks
Thanks, but when click on OS.vmx after modifications, its open the file on notepad. How to execute it? Thanks in advance.
i have installed centos linux already, ie windows xp and centos linux dual booting, in this case what is the procedure to run linux on windows. kindly send me , thanks
i have dual booting set up ie windows xp and centos linux, in this context , what is the procedure to link link and windows
line 9: syntax error. i need help
Just a quick note on running Ubuntu in Windows. They have their own windows installer called Wubi which is their official Windows install package, no need for VMware. So if your looking to try Ubuntu on Windows, this might be the easiest way.
Hi not getting the download link for OS.zip can anyone please post the link.
how to access linux file from windows via “run”
Actually I want to add accessing path of a certain file of remote linux machine in my IIS but i didnt get any method that how to add that.
Plz reply this thread ASAP.
Its not working for me… I need help pls
the link to download the linux livecd isn’t there anymore… I need help on where to download linux livecd pleaseee
would this result in any kind of data loss as is possible in linux installation ,so do i need to backup my files??
Last week I put Ubuntu Wubi on an older Compaq with Vista,it was a snap,as simple as downloading any program from the internet. I found it very easy to navigate,getting my wireless going was easy as just like that I was surfing the internet.
I always thought about doing linux and after chasing down the latest piece of malware I was finally inspired.. I’m just your everyday internet treaker and I feel compelled to say the transition is a snap. I will be redoing this laptop tomorrow and when I’m done Windows will be completely out the widow for this machine.
I cant find a working link to download os.zip. I tried the link posted from anonymous in the comments and it still didn’t work. how can i download os.zip?
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