Linux Live

[chibi_man]

I'm looking at tips and suggestions about running a Linux live version through Windows 2000.

I'm sick of registry and virus problems in Windows XP, or any Windows for that matter. So I decided I want to compermize...
This is what I wish to try.

Windows 2000 is a level down from XP... But it doesn't have as complicated and anouying genuine windows errors... So thats the windows i wish to use.

I plan on having it completely disconnected from the internet, and to only be used with windows software that I can not get to run on Linux.

Now i'm facing a decision on to have it do a dual boot up and decide apon booting.. or use a live linux and start it up in windows.
If you can list what problems that may have or any tips and suggestions PLEASE.. no matter how small or stupid they maybe.

After linux is booted, it will be my primary OS... internet and AS much to all my software will be run through it.
It's mainly going to be a gaming, video editing, internet browseing, Overclocked system.
The next decision I need to decide on is what Version of linux I want to use.

Again if you have any suggestions to suit my system type.. PLEASE suggest something.

[jan1024188]

hi

The next decision I need to decide on is what Version of linux I want to use.

check which distro is the best for you using Linux Distribution Chooser

Now i'm facing a decision on to have it do a dual boot up and decide apon booting.. or use a live linux and start it up in windows.

go for dual boot,Its easy to set up.If you realy want ot use linux (often) than you cannot use live cd.That would be whaste off time...

[Marsolin]

Instead of doing a dual boot, you could run Windows in the virtual machine from within Linux. That would allow you to easily switch between Linux and Windows apps.

I wrote a blog post a little while back that shows one way to do that. You can find it here.

[chibi_man]

I guess I was using the wrong term... Virtual Machine is what I'm referring too.

I've read your blog about VMware Player, and it seems that it's pretty much what I want to do... I have a few questions, and you may or may not of awnsered them in your blog, so bare with me.

If i set up Windows 2000 to start up first. can i rig it up so that I can launch Linux from the windows desktop?

How easy would it be to switch back and forth from linux to windows?

What other benefits of doing this can i get?
and of course what are the done sides?

I'm looking for some straight up awnsers, kinda tired of finding bits and pieces of info from different forum and blog topics. I guess we can all relate.

[Marsolin]

If i set up Windows 2000 to start up first. can i rig it up so that I can launch Linux from the windows desktop?

Yes. I do this on my work laptop. The only caveat is that you need to have at least 512MB of RAM to really run both and more than that is best.

How easy would it be to switch back and forth from linux to windows?

If you are running Linux in a virtual machine it's very easy. Ctrl+Alt releases control from the virtual machine and you are back in Windows. At that point the Linux VM is just another window that you can switch to or from as easily as you can between a browser and file manager. It's just as easy to run Windows in a VM on Linux. Just choose whichever suits you the best.

What other benefits of doing this can i get?
and of course what are the done sides?

One of the main benefits of working in a virtual machine is easy backup. If you are going to be changing some settings or performing a risky install then all you have to do first is copy the vmdk file (VMware's hard drive image) to another location and you have a complete image of your VM. If the install hoses your machine you just replace the vmdk file with your backup, boot the VM, and you're back in business.

The primary down sides are memory usage and performance. Since you are running two OS's simultaneously you have the overhead of both. Performance is also slower than the native OS, which you might not even notice if you are just doing email, web browsing, and word processing.

The most performance limitations inside a VM are releated to 3D graphics. If you plan to run 3D games on a particular OS, it is better to make that one your host.

I hope that helps.

[chibi_man]

So the best way to keep my processing speed and memory is to do Dual bootup?

hmmm... I thought it worked alittle differently, guess i was wrong.

Something that i climpsed apon awhile ago and i need it to be cleared up for me.

I've heard of people doing dual bootups. And so far i've heard some good reports about doing it, other then having to restart to change the OS.
Somewhere, i can;t remember nor find where i read this. But someone had said that it's possible to have a dual boot up system on a partitioned HDD. and while using linux, they can access and run windows applications virtualy inside linux without booting the windows OS.

is this possible? if it is would it have any big negetive impacts?

[Marsolin]

You can use Wine to run Windows apps directly in Linux, but it's not full proof.

[chibi_man]

Yes yes, i've used Wine. Personaly I wasn;t to impressed. I was expecting more, but I guess this just isn's a perfect world.

Have you heard of this or know anything similar?

Somewhere, i can;t remember nor find where i read this. But someone had said that it's possible to have a dual boot up system on a partitioned HDD. and while using linux, they can access and run windows applications virtualy inside linux without booting the windows OS.

is this possible? if it is would it have any big negetive impacts?