VirtualBox - yes or no?

[DexterLB]

I haven't used VirtualBox, but I need to emulate some Windows programs and they don't work under WINE. But will virtualbox make my PC slower? does it take a lot CPU when it's not running (I see it's a kernel module)? :confused:

[kpkeerthi]

It will make your PC slower only when it is running. I have not experienced any slow downs otherwise. The kernel module however might take a very little (negligibe) of your RAM but not CPU when it is not in use.

[The Cog]

^^ What he said. I use VBox for just that - occasional use of winblows only apps. When it's not running, it has no impact. I am not aware of the kernel module being there.

[Tom--d]

I do see, when a list of things start up, VirtualBox pop up now and then.

[The Cog]

No. The vboxdrv driver sits there unused and doing nothing unless you launch the VirtualBox application.

If you launch VirtualBox and boot windows inside of it, then it will sit there sapping your CPU the way windows does until you shut windows down again. Forget the driver. Its no more important than say, your TV tuner driver which does nothing until you start using your tv tuner to watch telly.

[Chame_Wizard]

aHAHAHHA*JUST INSTALLED vBOX*

[DexterLB]

OK I am dual-booting with winXP, BUT I messed it up and it doesn't work. I'll upgrade to the new 8.04 ubuntu after 2 weeks and format the winxp's partition to ext3 and put a virtualBox virtual HD file on it. Then I'll install winXP on the virtual machine and ready. :popcorn:

[insane_alien]

you can also have virtual box integrate with your ubuntu desktop, i have it set up like that, works great if you have a dualcore. plenty of RAM helps too.

i have XP integrate with 8.04 on an intel quad core with 8GB of RAM, it rocks. though XP does occasionally get a virus or two. its also limited to one core. don't experience any slowdown really.

[DexterLB]

you can also have virtual box integrate with your ubuntu desktop, i have it set up like that, works great if you have a dualcore. plenty of RAM helps too.

i have XP integrate with 8.04 on an intel quad core with 8GB of RAM, it rocks. though XP does occasionally get a virus or two. its also limited to one core. don't experience any slowdown really.
but... I don't have a dual-core, my CPU is ~2000MHz and I only have 1gig ram

[fmonjaraz]

I think its just easier if you dual-boot..I hate windows but I only use it for itunes and games...I use the VM to use solaris, fedora, open-suse, and mandriva...just to check them out and see how they compare to ubuntu

[fmonjaraz]

P.S. sweeet machine Alien