I have a Open SUSE and MS Windows dual boot system. What I would like to do is virtualise that existing MS Windows 7 installation under SUSE running on the same computer, and use it from within Linux for those things that I can’t (yet) do directly in Linux. Is that possible? Which VM software am I likely to find it easiest to do that with?
In a bit more detail, if it is relevant, the situation on my computer is this:
sda MBR loaded with Grub 2
sda1 (NTFS, not the main Windows partition - it seems to be the partition required to start Windows, however)
sda2 (NTFS, main Windows partition)
sda3 (NTFS, Windows recovery)
sda4 Extended partition sda5 SWAP (2-4 GB)
sda6 EXT4 / (20 GB)
sda7 EXT4 /home (26-28 GB)
I don’t need to be able to boot directly to Windows if I can work on Windows from within SUSE (although it might be useful sometimes), so if I did have to sacrifice the dual boot then I could, if it were necessary.
As far as I can tell, the processor “should” support SVM, but I didn’t find the info about looking at /proc/cpuinfo until I was away from that computer.
It is my opinion that VirtualBox is the one to use. Basically, for a single session, I recommend 80 GB of extra disk space per VM & 4 GB of (total PC) memory with 8 GB of (Total PC) memory recommended. I then give 2 to 4 GB of memory to the VM session. You must realize that Windows 7 or XP in a VM will run Internet Explorer or Microsoft Office and even an app like iTunes with no problem. Heavy graphics applications like AutoCAD or the latest PC video game is not going to work well if at all with this kind of VM program. I use Windows 7 32 bit loaded into openSUSE 12.2 64 bit and it really works like a champ. I use IE for Websites that don’t like Firefox that I need and even use my small Apple device with Windows 7 & iTunes in a VM. I have good luck with Windows 7 and Windows XP and not very good support for Windows Vista, though I do get it to run. Here are some links to consider:
Hi
Does your cpu support virtualization (output from lscpu)? If so, there
is also Xen, google on Xen+use existing windows install to see more
info or use qemu-kvm.
What are you wanting to run, that can’t be run under linux? I use
crossover office for things like MS Office, IE 7 etc.
If it doesn’t support virtualization, then I think there are some
tools that might convert the existing partition to a VM to run in
vmware player, virtualbox etc.
If it’s an OEM install of windows you may have some issues
re-activating (but again there are some tweaks to fix that, google on
ei.cfg).
–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 12.2 (x86_64) Kernel 3.4.11-2.16-desktop
up 20:52, 3 users, load average: 0.13, 0.15, 0.09
CPU Intel i5 CPU M520@2.40GHz | Intel Arrandale GPU
Yes, the CPU does support virtualisation. I knew it should do going by the model number, but checked explicitly. I will look into Xen, thank you Does your last paragraph refer to if I use Xen, or only if I “convert the existing partition to a VM”?
I’m not sure there is anything I specifically need to run in Windows except Visual Studio sometimes. It’s more of a security blanket feeling, I think There seem to be replacements for almost everything I use.
On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:03:07 +0000, malcolmlewis wrote:
> Hi Only if you convert to a virtual machine or create a new install in a
> virtual machine, you may need to manually re-activate (or not ).
One important addition to that - when you virtualize a system you end up
with virtual hardware rather than the physical hardware - that means the
system will appear to have “changed”, which Windows will detect as a
reason to need to be re-activated.
If one then tries to boot the physical partition that was used as a VM on
bare hardware, you’ll again have to mess with device drivers.
Taking a dual-boot config and turning the physical partition into a
virtual machine is usually more trouble than it’s worth, and generally
it’s better to install from scratch in the VM container (VirtualBox,
VMware, Qemu, XEN, KVM, or whatever).
I am using the constellation you have mentioned. Running Opensuse 12.2 as the “main operating system” and within that a virtual instance of Microsoft® Windows 7.
I do not know the programs which the other forum members have mentioned.
I only have experience with VMware® Workstation for Linux.
It is running very well. I can use hot plug/unplug for the devices (pendrive, camera, network, …),
by the Linux host I am getting the internet connection and I have a drag and drop file transfer between the systems.
It is not cheap, round about $249.00, but it works very well.
As the other other forum members have mentioned, I am also proposing to make a new clean installation directly to the Virtual Instance instead of creating an image of your existent operation system and the import to the Virtual Instance.
Workstation is the Cadillac/Mercedes of virtualization.
If you like to play games it actually works now within VMware with version 9
since 3D graphics are somewhat supported. You need a beast
of a box for smoothness but it does work. Presumably it will
only get better. Until Steam or something officially launches
it’s probably the best way to run games ‘under’ (I use that term loosely
since it’s actually still in Widows) Linux. You don’t
get the problems one usually sees using WINE though. You can DL Vmware
as a free trial. If you are wanting to go on the cheap then you’ll have to
look into KVM or VirtualBox. Nice thing about KVM is it is included with
the Linux kernel so you get support across most distros.
Does your last paragraph refer to if I use Xen, or only if I “convert the existing partition to a VM”?
There seem to be replacements for almost everything I use.
).
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