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View Full Version : How to have a real Vista partition as a "virtual" OS in Ubuntu Main OS/other question


Javed_Ahamed
May 2nd, 2008, 01:48 PM
Hey guys, I am about to completely wipe my 160gb hard drive and I want to use ubuntu as my main OS with vista for when i need to use windows. I have seen multiple dual boot threads for vista/ubuntu but I dont really feel like restarting my computer everytime i want to use a different OS.

Thats why im trying to get this setup (my ideal setup):

1. Vista partition that i can boot up into to play graphics intensive games (wont be a huge partition)
2. Ubuntu partition that i will be loading up into as my main OS, but in ubuntu using something like virtual box to access the other vista partition and use it for unintensive tasks that dont need super graphics of a pure system.
3. (Optional but highly wanted) I would also like to be able to share files between the two Os's. To do this would i have to make a third partition? Or is there another way to do this?

Im really experienced when it comes to windows but this is my first time going to be using linux. I am also COMPLETELY clueless to partitioning.

Since i am doing a COMPLETE WIPE of my harddrive, how should i go about installing/partitioning? Mostly people seem to say install vista first, then ubuntu. So do i start up the vista installer, tell it to install on like 40 gigs, then start up ubuntu installer and tell it to install on the rest? What if i wanted a third partition with no OS on it but just to store like mp3s?

Anyway thanks for looking at / answering my highly convoluted question :)

gsiliceo
May 2nd, 2008, 01:53 PM
I haven't seen anyone succesfully virtualizing vista, but i havent searched for it.
You can share files between the 2 OS's because ubuntu can read/write in ntfs partitions, i actually do this with a windows vista partition.

Javed_Ahamed
May 2nd, 2008, 03:16 PM
Um i have definately seen people virtualizing vista.... heres one right here http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS3656503933.html

Javed_Ahamed
May 2nd, 2008, 08:33 PM
so is this possible does anyone know?

Javed_Ahamed
May 3rd, 2008, 03:48 PM
hmmmm well i tried following the guide in the sticky and when i loaded up the virtual xp i got mbr not found or something like that.

Javed_Ahamed
May 4th, 2008, 01:43 PM
so i guess from replies (or lack thereof) that this is near impossible? what about xp?

OldTimeTech
May 4th, 2008, 03:07 PM
I just setup Virtual Box the other day and have Windows XP working in it quite well...at least I'm happy with it.