How can I install Vista on-top of openSUSE?

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

Title pretty much says it all. I just got openSUSE 11.1 installed with the whole hard drive partitioned to it, and I would like to make a small partition (~40GB) for Vista. But I really have no idea how to install both. How should I do it?

#2

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Why not use a VM? It would simplify things significantly.

Good luck.

blira wrote:
> Title pretty much says it all. I just got openSUSE 11.1 installed with
> the whole hard drive partitioned to it, and I would like to make a small
> partition (~40GB) for Vista. But I really have no idea how to install
> both. How should I do it?
>
>
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#3

I thought about that, but I don’t want Vista running all the time… If I setup I VM, could I just “start” Vista whenever I needed it like it was an application?

#4

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Of course… that’s the definition of a VM.

Good luck.

blira wrote:
> I thought about that, but I don’t want Vista running all the time… If
> I setup I VM, could I just “start” Vista whenever I needed it like it
> was an application?
>
>
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#5

There are posts on this site on dual booting suse and vista. Just do a search. Basically you have to shrink your suse partition to create space for vista. The suse installer has a partition resizer. Gparted is very powerful and is free.

#6

I think that if you are investigating Vista, then try it in Virtualbox - and I suggest not using the OSS version for the Personal version on the Sun web site is better, also ensure you install the Guest Additions - they make a lot of difference.

By trying it out in a VM you don’t have to play with partitioning, so there is less risk to your system.

Cheers

#7

Just open the partitioner and resize your current partition. Format the new partition as NTFS. Vista needs at least 40 GB to install, at least for Home Premium. It won’t use all of it but it won’t install if you don’t use at least 40.

Then pop in your disk and install Vista. One small problem is that installing Vista will overwrite your existing MBR and you will lose Grub and the ability to boot openSuse. Don’t worry, it can be fixed.

#8

Vista’s not really a good guest for a VM. It is memory hungry and uses up lots of disk space. There’ll also be problems with 3D.
But it does work, though without the feel down to Aero. You couldn’t run games sensibly for instance.

If you have problems doing the resize, then Parted Magic may help by using less memory and is set up with easy access to tools you n eed.