How do i get windows to open on linux desktop?

[speedygonzalas]

Hey guys i've just recently installed ubuntu 8.10 and iv got windows xp on my computer as well, but i want to know how i can get xp to start up on a linux desktop so i can have windows and linux running at the same time as oppose to having to restart the computer everytime.

[jmadero]

you need to run a virtual machine for this:

HOWTO: Install Windows XP/2000 in VMWare Player - Ubuntu Forums

[speedygonzalas]

thanks, just a question...
wats a virtual machine?
im really new to linux, and computer programing in general

[jmadero]

Unlike installing the entire OS on a partition, a VM is installed on a single file essentially inside of another OS. For more information you can read here:

Virtual machine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

here is someone running multiple VM machines on one OS

http://www.vmware.com/files/images/s...veroses_lg.jpg

They run almost identical to the OS itself accept they share peripherals with your main OS. For instance, you don't connect to the internet with the VM, it connects through Linux.

[D-cat]

VM Ware will give you better performance if you get it to work right. If it gives you problems, you can try VirtualBox. It's slower because it emulates all hardware instead of trying to share it, but tends to be easier and work better - And you can install it through Synaptic (packages virtualbox-ose and virtualbox-ose-guest-utils).

[speedygonzalas]

awsome, this looks like wat i need, thanks guys

[speedygonzalas]

another questoin... if i dont want to buy a vmware package, wat will be the difference in performance if i download the free one instead? i understand that the guide says that with the free pack u wont be able to make a virtual machine but run one instead, does that mean i'll have huge restrictions?

[jmadero]

vmplayer is free, vm work station is not. You can head over to their site with the instructions I gave you and download it at no cost, I think you have to register or something but other than that it's free.

With vm workstation you get a tools set which allows you to full screen and such. Other than that the vmplayer will work fine

[speedygonzalas]

kool, and thanks for the instructions once again

[coopstah13]

vmware player is just what it says its for, running a vm that was already created, you need to download vmware server to be able to create a VM in the first place