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OTHER TIPS, TRICKS AND TUTORIALS

Unite Windows and Linux With a Single Mouse Click!

- Windows/Linux Symbiosis... an easier method.

By: Marius Nestor, Linux Editor

After the success I had with my previous tutorial about how to run Windows and a Linux distribution together on the same computer (with a single monitor, keyboard and mouse and no other magic tricks required), I decided to improve the installation method with an extremely easy-to-use one. The idea is the same as in the previous guide, to obtain a single desktop with two completely different operating systems: Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux!

So, if you're wondering what do you need to get started, let me tell you
that you must have a usable and stable Ubuntu (other Linux distributions will work) computer with at least 1 GB RAM and a modern processor (Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent). These are also the components on which I've tested the following guide! Ready? Excited? Let's go!

Advantages of this guide:

· Much easier installation method
· Works with any Windows version
· Less software to configure and install

Disadvantages of this guide:

· No desktop effects! That means, Compiz Fusion will not play nice with VirtualBox in Seamless mode.

Step 1: Install necessary software:

· VirtualBox

Here's how to install VirtualBox on Ubuntu OS:

1. Click the above link and download VirtualBox for your architecture (i386 or amd64). Please notice that on the download page for VirtualBox, you will find packages for many other Linux distributions, in case you don't use Ubuntu.

2. Good, now that the download is finished, double click the .deb file and install the software.

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3. You must execute the following command in a terminal window, in order to use VirtualBox:

sudo adduser yourusername vboxusers

4. Log out of your current session and the log back in.

That's it!

Step 2: Prepare VirtualBox to run Windows

The VirtualBox application will be installed in the System Tools category, so open it from Applications -> System Tools -> Innotek VirtualBox if you are a GNOME user, or from KMenu -> System -> More applications -> Innotek VirtualBox if you are a KDE user.

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Create the virtual machine

Now, you need to:

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1. Click the "New" button to create a new virtual machine.
2. Select "Windows XP" as the OS Type and write a name for your virtual machine.
3. Click Next and drag the memory slider to 256 MB. If you have more than 1GB RAM, you can rise the slider to 512 MB.
4. Click Next and hit the 'New' button to create a new hard drive:

4a. Click Next
4b. Select the 'Fixed-size image' option and click Next
4c. Decrease the initial value to 6 GB by dragging the slider in this screen. If you have a bigger hard drive (250 GB or 500 GB) then you can leave the slider to 10 GB (default option). Click Next.
4d. Click Finish.

5. You can see now the newly created hard drive. Just click Next and then Finish.

The virtual machine is now created and all you have to do is to make some basic settings to it before you start installing Windows.

Configure the virtual machine

Hit the General link and be sure that you setup the virtual machine exactly like I did:

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1. On the 'General' section drag the "Video Memory Size" slider to 64.
2. On the 'CD/DVD-ROM' section check the "Mount CD/DVD Drive".
3. On the 'Audio' section check the "Enable Audio" box and then select 'OSS Audio Driver' from the drop-down box.
4. On the 'Remote Display' section check the "Enable VRDP Server" box.

That's all! Now insert the Windows XP CD in your optical drive and power on the virtual machine. The CD will be detected and the Windows installation will start. I guess I don't have to explain you how to install Windows.

Step 3: Configure the virtual Windows

When the Windows installation is finished and you are able to see the desktop, go to Devices -> Install Guest Additions (in the VirtualBox window) and wait for an installer window to appear on your desktop. Follow the installation steps and reboot the virtual machine.

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Warning: You must have a working Internet connection before you install these Guest Additions!

Unite Windows and Ubuntu into a single desktop

This is the final step and the moment everyone has been waiting for! All you have to do now is to deactivate your desktop effects (if you have) and go to Machine - Seamless Mode (in the VirtualBox window) and unite Windows with Ubuntu (or any distro you may have) into a single desktop.

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Tip: The Windows taskbar will appear over your Linux one. Therefore, you must right click on it and unlock it, so you can move it to the upper part of the desktop.

Below you can see some nice screenshots of my Windows/Ubuntu desktop, where I run Internet Explorer 7, Notepad, and any other Windows application that I found useful. Enjoy!

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IMPORTANT: Remember that every time you restart your computer, the virtual machine that runs in background will close, so you'll have to open VirtualBox when you enter your Linux session and start the Windows virtual machine. The best part is that it will open automatically in seamless mode!

MORE RELATED ARTICLES: Ubuntu 7.10 on PS3 Ubuntu and Red Hat Are Top Open Source Vendors Nexenta Core Platform 1.0 Released Ubuntu Weekly Report: 3rd - 9th February, 2008 Canonical Resells Parallels Virtualization Software Scribus Review Top 10 Ubuntu-based Distributions Fedora 9 Alpha Released KDE 4.1 Release Schedule and Goals Parted Magic 2.0 Now Available
 
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12th February 2008, 13:52 GMT | Copyright (c) 2008 Softpedia | Contact:
Read by 33,401 user(s) | Rating: | 12 vote(s) so far | Cast your vote:
Unite Windows and Linux With a Single Mouse Click! - USER OPINIONS

Comment #1 by Kynan on 2008-02-12, 18:00 GMT reply to this comment 
I just successfully completed this with linux mint and XP works great thanks!
Just wondering what GTK theme is that and where can i get it and the wallpaper you are using it looks great :)

Reply #1.1 by marius.nestor on 2008-02-13, 00:07 GMT
Wonderfull!

The theme I use is Moomex and you can download it from here -> http://linux.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Environment/Themes/Moomex-Theme-31855.shtml

And the wallpaper is here -> http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/GNOME+HD?content=74152

Reply #1.2 by Neme on 2008-04-08, 08:08 GMT
Question which would make a better host.... Linux or Windows, presently i use only use windows apps ... so windows would have to get the largest chunk of the resources.... in my view however... Linux is better security wise... and prolly a more stable platform....


whats your take

Comment #2 by Pajo on 2008-02-13, 04:01 GMT reply to this comment 
Would this work using Windows XP already installed from dualboot environment, so i dont have to install fresh copy of Windows?

Reply #2.1 by marius.nestor on 2008-02-13, 04:05 GMT
No, sorry! You must install a fresh copy of Windows XP, only that it will not be a real computer installation, it is a virtual installation, inside Linux (Ubuntu or other distributions). So you can keep your existing Windows XP installation and install a fresh copy on a Linux machine.

Comment #3 by marian on 2008-02-13, 18:11 GMT reply to this comment 
Is that possible with ubuntu 7.10 guest in windows host system?

Reply #3.1 by marius.nestor on 2008-02-13, 23:58 GMT
Yes, it is possible!

Comment #4 by Fred on 2008-02-14, 02:57 GMT reply to this comment 
Very elegant.:))
I have never used VB because I have heard/read that it has problems with samba shares.
Is this the case and if not how do I get the shares to work?
Can I use my existing and working smb.config?

Also, can I import a vmware xp machine into a VB environment?

Thank you for any help.

Reply #4.1 by marius.nestor on 2008-02-14, 03:04 GMT
Thanks!

VirtualBox has it's own built-in file sharing technology. So, with a simple click, you can enable it and share files between your Linux box and the virtual windows machine.

And yes, it imports .VMDK (VMware Virtual Disk) files :)

You're welcome!

Comment #5 by Ikaruga on 2008-02-14, 08:27 GMT reply to this comment 
Just a couple of questions/concerns before I'm "converted"::

(1) Is it legal? Windows is often very picky or unreasonable about Windows installs.

(2) Speed? Is it usable? Can I actually "work" in the virtual windows? The only reason I would want to do this is for some obsure app that doesn't play nice with wine. So if it's slow, that would defeat the whole purpose...

Reply #5.1 by marius.nestor on 2008-02-14, 11:03 GMT
Hi!

1) Yes, as long as your copy of Windows is not OEM.

2) On the hardware that I've recommended (1 GB RAM/Core 2 Duo) it works just fine, no problems what so ever. And you got the wrong idea about the whole guide.... Wine has nothing to do with this guide! It's pure Windows, pure Windows applications... that run on a virtual computer :)

Comment #6 by Montisaquadeis on 2008-02-14, 22:06 GMT reply to this comment 
lol this works very well in any situation as long as you set up the box right and ive got it running 64studio and windows vista on my windows xdp machine perfectly only problem is i dont get to do seamless mode with 64studio cuase the guestaddons dont work with it lol oh well it works perfectly with vista tho and runs smoothly whatever you do my only problem is i need more ram to get vista running better sence ive got it set to 601 mbs for it and only 512 for 64studio. oh well not a issue as long as i have my program that runs to clean up my ram every now and then to keep my xp from locking up on me

Comment #7 by wylis on 2008-02-15, 10:33 GMT reply to this comment 
Thanks for this guide. I am running this on PCLinuxOS 2007. VirtualBox was in their repos. The rest worked like a champ.
Thanks!

Comment #8 by MongoosC5 on 2008-02-15, 12:58 GMT reply to this comment 
Question: Could the (virtual) Windows OS be loaded in seamless mode and added to a domain without adversly affecting login?

Thanks,
Mongoos
"Windows Sys Admin that recently fell in love with Linux"

Reply #8.1 by marius.nestor on 2008-02-15, 14:06 GMT
I haven't tried it (because I can't :) ), but I've heard it will work without problems.

Comment #9 by Jean Sagi on 2008-02-19, 15:54 GMT reply to this comment 
Does it work with Mandriva? 2007? 2008?

J.

Comment #10 by voncile on 2008-02-19, 18:35 GMT reply to this comment 
I setup VB as per
"http://news.softpedia.com/news/Unite-Windows-and-Linux-With-a-Single-Mouse-Click-78535.shtml"
I started the install of XP which loaded up and got to restarting the pc 1st time and VB aborts

here is the last few lines of the log.. Any suggestions most welcome..

===================================================

4770:24:01.030 ******************** End of CPUID dump **********************
4770:24:01.078 TM: cTSCTicksPerSecond=0x77386e78 (2000187000) fTSCVirtualized=true fTSCUseRealTSC=false fMaybeUseOffsettedHostTSC=false
4770:24:01.177 CoreCode: R3=b372c000 R0=e0d99000 GC=a01df000 Phys=00000000192ec000 cb=0x2000
4770:24:01.190 VMMR0.r0 module loaded. VMMR0Entry located at e0e332f0.
4770:24:01.203 Activating Local APIC
4770:24:01.203 PIT: mode=3 count=0x10000 (65536) - 18.20 Hz (ch=0)
4770:24:01.204 Shared Folders service loaded.
4770:24:01.415 PIIX3 ATA: LUN#0: disk, CHS=12497/16/63, total number of sectors 12597248
4770:24:01.415 PIIX3 ATA: LUN#1: no unit
4770:24:01.426 PIIX3 ATA: LUN#2: CD/DVD, total number of sectors 194496, passthrough disabled
4770:24:01.426 PIIX3 ATA: LUN#3: no unit
4770:24:01.426 PIIX3 ATA: Ctl#0: finished processing RESET
4770:24:01.426 PIIX3 ATA: Ctl#1: finished processing RESET
4770:24:01.529 NAT: passing domain name aeic.local
4770:24:01.529 NAT: DNS address: 192.168.16.2
4770:24:01.530 Audio: Trying driver 'oss'.
4770:24:01.530 Audio: set_record_source ars=0 als=0 (not implemented)
4770:24:01.530 OSS: Successfully opened /dev/dsp for ADC
4770:24:01.531 OSS: Successfully opened /dev/dsp for DAC
4770:24:01.579 Changing the VM state from 'CREATING' to 'CREATED'.
4770:24:01.579 Changing the VM state from 'CREATED' to 'RUNNING'.
4770:24:02.813 Guest Log: BIOS: VirtualBox 1.5.4
4770:24:02.814 PIT: mode=2 count=0x10000 (65536) - 18.20 Hz (ch=0)
4770:24:03.205 PIT: mode=2 count=0x48d3 (18643) - 64.00 Hz (ch=0)
4770:24:03.205 Display::handleDisplayResize(): uScreenId = 0, pvVRAM=00000000 w=720 h=400 bpp=0 cbLine=0x0
4770:24:05.343 PIT: mode=2 count=0x10000 (65536) - 18.20 Hz (ch=0)
4770:24:05.344 PIIX3 ATA: Ctl#0: RESET, DevSel=0 AIOIf=0 CmdIf0=0x00 (-1 usec ago) CmdIf1=0x00 (-1 usec ago)
4770:24:05.468 PIIX3 ATA: Ctl#0: finished processing RESET
4770:24:05.470 Guest Log: BIOS: ata0-0: PCHS=12497/16/63 translation=lba LCHS=784/255/63
4770:24:05.471 PIIX3 ATA: Ctl#1: RESET, DevSel=0 AIOIf=0 CmdIf0=0x00 (-1 usec ago) CmdIf1=0x00 (-1 usec ago)
4770:24:05.669 PIIX3 ATA: Ctl#1: finished processing RESET
4770:24:05.671 Guest Log: BIOS: Boot from Floppy 0 failed
4770:24:05.675 Guest Log: BIOS: Booting from Hard Disk...
4770:24:11.354 Guest Log: BIOS: int13_harddisk: function 15, unmapped device for ELDL=81
4770:24:23.775 PIT: mode=2 count=0x2ead (11949) - 99.85 Hz (ch=0)
4770:24:23.991 Display::handleDisplayResize(): uScreenId = 0, pvVRAM=aee25000 w=640 h=480 bpp=0 cbLine=0x140
4770:24:27.670 PATM: Disable block at 80eabacc - write 80eabb00-80eabb04
4770:24:30.188 PIIX3 ATA: LUN#0: IDLE IMMEDIATE, CmdIf=0xc4 (-1 usec ago)
4770:24:30.189 PIIX3 ATA: LUN#0: aborting current command
4770:24:43.676 Display::handleDisplayResize(): uScreenId = 0, pvVRAM=aee25000 w=640 h=480 bpp=32 cbLine=0xA00

=======================================================

All I can think of os Xp is trying to resize the screen which VB changes window sizes from a letterbox to a 4.3 screen windowed.

I would love to get this working Help please

regards

Voncile..

Reply #10.1 by marius.nestor on 2008-02-20, 02:48 GMT
Hi,

that's very strange, it shouldn't happen.... Anyway, VB 1.5.6 was released today, so I suggest to upgrade and try the tutorial again.

Here's the download link:

http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Emulators/VirtualBox-23194.shtml

Comment #11 by marius.nestor on 2008-02-20, 02:50 GMT reply to this comment 
For Jean Sagi: Yes it works in Mandriva 2008

Get the RPM archive from here:

http://linux.softpedia.com/progDownload/VirtualBox-Download-23194.html

Comment #12 by heepie on 2008-02-20, 11:15 GMT reply to this comment 
Just wondering.

Do you need to install antivirus, spyware, firewall software within windows or does linux take care of that when it runs in a virtual box?

Reply #12.1 by marius.nestor on 2008-02-20, 11:18 GMT
Linux takes care of everything!

Reply #12.2 by Nobody on 2008-03-06, 16:14 GMT
Yes, you absolutely MUST be careful about viruses and other trash when dealing with windoze. Note that windoze viruses won't be able to affect your running linux, but your virtual machine can become corrupted by them. Linux will NOT protect your windoze virtual machine from what you expose it to.

Comment #13 by shakir on 2008-02-21, 11:06 GMT reply to this comment 
its a very nice software. it help us to operate both operating systems at the same time.

Comment #14 by loge on 2008-02-23, 21:07 GMT reply to this comment 
interface simple

Comment #15 by madhu on 2008-02-25, 20:57 GMT reply to this comment 
it is very good

Comment #16 by MC on 2008-02-26, 23:03 GMT reply to this comment 
Nothing happens when I do the Devices -> Install Guest Logins. Can you tell me why. Thanks.

Comment #17 by Marius Nestor on 2008-02-27, 00:09 GMT reply to this comment 
Because you don't have an active Internet connection on the virtual machine.... set it up first and then try to install the Guest Additions...

Comment #18 by branko on 2008-02-27, 00:25 GMT reply to this comment 
Network stuff don't work very well (only NAT). But it is enough for internet.
When I create some directory share, I must manually mount in XP (I expect it automatically, because it is easy to code...only one line...yes, it write in help line, when create share...).
And I have registration message, because it is not free VirtualBox (free is that from repository, where I has Tool addition installation problem).


Comment #19 by C Rogers on 2008-02-27, 10:37 GMT reply to this comment 
What are the performance differences between running vista in this virtual box and just natively? Are there any except running ubuntu, and the ram that it takes up? This looks really cool, but I would like to know about this before I do it and install Steam so I can play games properly on linux, rather than wine!

Will it even work on vista?

Reply #19.1 by Marius Nestor on 2008-02-27, 12:50 GMT
If you have a LOT (3-4 GB) of RAM, I guess it will work :)

Comment #20 by Eddie on 2008-03-02, 14:42 GMT reply to this comment 
Can this be done on a laptop running Windows XP Pro and adding the virtual box with SUSE 10.3 to have both system integrate seamless as one?

Thanks

Reply #20.1 by Marius Nestor on 2008-03-03, 00:03 GMT
Yes I think so... try it!

Comment #21 by mc on 2008-03-02, 23:32 GMT reply to this comment 
I have put XP in a virtual machine in a laptop that runs suse linux enterprise desktop. However, XP is not recognizing my USB drive - it is not listed under Device Manager. Any solutions to this?

Thanks

Comment #22 by victorkent on 2008-03-03, 02:45 GMT reply to this comment 
I've installed XP SP2 into Ubuntu Ultimate Edition 1.7 and I could not unite Linux and Windows desktops into a single one. I can see them only one at a time. Moreover, I cannot see the other partitions when I am on Windows desktop

Comment #23 by naman on 2008-03-04, 12:29 GMT reply to this comment 
Hi, I am naman, I am new for Linux.

I am running on fedora 8
and downloaded & installed
VirtualBox-1.5.6_28266_fedora8-1.i586.

it was not .deb file.

then in the terminal given the command
sudo adduser naman vboxusers

it prompted me for password, I've given
I got error:
naman is not in the sudoers file. This incident will be reported.

what is the problem & what should I do?

Reply #23.1 by Marius Nestor on 2008-03-04, 14:21 GMT
Open a terminal and switch to root with:

su -

enter the root password, then run the following command:

adduser naman vboxusers

It should work!

Comment #24 by Jim Lee on 2008-03-08, 21:20 GMT reply to this comment 
I thoroughly disagree that VirtualBox does not play nice with Compiz Fusion. In fact, I'm running the Compiz cube on my Debian notebook right now; this browser in which I'm typing my post is on one face of the cube, and I'm running Windows XP on the other face. If anyone is having issues then it may be a configuration issue with either Compiz or your X server.

On the other hand, nice article! VirtualBox runs so much faster than VMWare, plus it's free.

Comment #25 by Helena Günther on 2008-03-10, 23:25 GMT reply to this comment 
This is just what I've been looking for! Sweet!

I'll try to use it with my scanner, since my Ubuntu doesn't detect it... It is one of my greatest problems.

Now I just hope I can manage to end the "fusion". When I come to the last part of it, the option "Seamless Mode" ("Modo Seamless", in my Brazilian version of VirtualBox) is disabled. Can you imagine why this could be? I'm including a screenshot just in case. I've also tried the full screen mode, but only the window outside increases, not the windows "screen" inside...

Again, thank you soooo much. iD

[URL=http://img390.imageshack.us/my.php?image=capturadatelaem8.png][IMG]http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/6914/capturadatelaem8.th.png[/IMG][/URL]

Comment #26 by Helena Günther on 2008-03-11, 00:22 GMT reply to this comment 
One more question: even when I mount my CD drive, Windows keeps saying there is no disc. Why could this be? How can I solve it? I've tried many discs already.

Thanks!

Comment #27 by d4v1dv00 on 2008-03-15, 10:39 GMT reply to this comment 
Too bad Windows running under VirtualBox or any Virtual PC environment does not run DirectX which indirectly tells Linux fans out there, you can play Windows games inside a Linux box...yet.

Comment #28 by rana on 2008-03-16, 12:46 GMT reply to this comment 
I have Winxp in hda and Fedora Core 4 in hdb. they are working well. But I want Linux inside windowsxp. is it possible, tell me how. please

Comment #29 by Mario on 2008-03-21, 15:59 GMT reply to this comment 
Dosen't work with OSE version virtualcrap.

Comment #30 by aj on 2008-03-26, 11:47 GMT reply to this comment 
Problems that i came across and "solved" so to say.

I'm using the version 1.5.6 VirtualBox on Ubuntu 7.10.

To install the "Install Guest Additions" nothing came up. i went to. Devices -> Mount CD/DVD-ROM, Mount the VBoxGuestAdditions.iso. if it doesn't auto run to go My Computer and double click the CD drive.

If the .ISO cannot be found "/usr/share/virtualbox" (Without the Quotes, Note: this is in UBUNTU 7.10)

For some reason i'm having issues with windows background bugging out and overlaying everything and hiding it underneath. For a quick simple solve i just Right Click the "Start" button click Properties and then drag the screen way off into the farthest bottom corner. for some reason it needs to have a windows app open to to not bug out. and since it is just a properties window it leave no tab in the Windows bar.

Hope this helps some one else!

Comment #31 by Kris Schuster on 2008-04-08, 12:01 GMT reply to this comment 
This tutorial is wonderful, thank you so much.

One note with Ubuntu Hardy Heron. When you do an apt-get the virtualbox that installs is ose. The user will also have to install the kernel modules and then it will work beautifully. Also, if guest installation doesn't work, it may be because there is a dic in the optical drive. Removal of the disc will allow the virtualboxguest installations iso to load and then everthing will work like butter :).

Thanks again!

Comment #32 by BORELLI on 2008-05-05, 16:18 GMT reply to this comment 
IS THERE ANY SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR INSTALLING SERVICE PACKS THAT YOU MAY KNOW OF?

Reply #32.1 by Marius Nestor on 2008-05-06, 00:45 GMT
As far as I know, you can install almost anything in a virtual Windows XP... including a service pack!

Comment #33 by gornje on 2008-05-10, 09:42 GMT reply to this comment 
hi i have installed Win XP on VB on ubuntu 8.04 but it wont read the usb. when i go into settings for win xp in the virtual box it gives me this error message...

Could not load the Host USB Proxy Service (VERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND). The service might be not installed on the host computer.


Result Code:
0x00004005
Component:
Host
Interface:
IHost {81729c26-1aec-46f5-b7c0-cc7364738fdb}
Callee:
IMachine {f95c0793-7737-49a1-85d9-6da81097173b}

what would i need to install or configure to get this to work?
im new to linux so dont really know what to do, thanks in advance.


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