VMware Workstation

[AMD]

Hi,

I wanted to try linux.
I have tried Ubuntu Live cd and like it so i want to install it for good.
But i had never installed another Operating system before and i didnt want to risk accidently messing up my OEM install of Xp home .

So a friend of mine recomended that i install VMware Workstation and he said i can run Ubuntu and i wouldnt need to create a partion and install linux?

Im a bit confused to what VMware Workstation actualy does.

Can anyone explain what VMware Workstation does?
Thanks

[EzyStvy]

http://www.vmware.com/

[AMD]

Thanks EzyStvy,

I have already looked on that site before i posted.

Sure it tells you what it is-

VMware Workstation is powerful desktop virtualization software for software developers/testers and enterprise IT professionals that runs multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single PC

But what i dont understand is how can i run Linux or windows without installing the operating system itself?

Would they just run like a live cd? Or would i actualy be able to use the Linux like i would if it was realy installed like install programs and stuff into it for example?

[AMD]

~bump~

[hobey19]

Originally Posted by AMD Thanks EzyStvy, I have already looked on that site before i posted. Sure it tells you what it is- But what i dont understand is how can i run Linux or windows without installing the operating system itself? Would they just run like a live cd? Or would i actualy be able to use the Linux like i would if it was realy installed like install programs and stuff into it for example?

you do technically install the OS. once you install vmware, it allows you to run virtual operating systems. it will be a window like any other open on your screen and if you click inside the window, you will be controlling whatever OS you are running in it. instead of installing it to a partition, you have the ability to install it to a subfolder (ie c:\operating systems\ubuntu\ - i don't think thats it, but its an example). its hard to explain it, but its a really nice tool if you want to keep playing with an OS but don't want to dual boot

craig

[AMD]

Ahh,

I understand now.

I didnt think it was possible to run another Os without actualy partioning the hard drive and instaling it.

Thanks for explaining it to me

[hobey19]

well, you are running the OS and you are installing it like you would install any other OS, you are just running it from within an emulator, rather than by restarting the computer

craig

[ComputerNut]

The one thing is that depending on the size of the virtual "hard disk" you setup, the OS files can get quite large. If you set up a 10GB virtual drive, that file itself will be 10GB.

HTH

[faulkner132]

For Ubuntu, I would recommend a _minimum_ of 10 GB. Allocate 20 if you have it, just to be safe.

[AMD]

Well i decided to go for SUSE 9.1 instead of Ubuntu.
Only now i have problems shown on my other thread-

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=154747

[mglass]

Another program similar to VMware workstation is Parallels workstation 2.1 http://www.parallels.com

And in my experience, Parallels is actually more user friendly for a novice in virtualization. when you start VMware, it asks you like 20 questions, it can be confusing...