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Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: DJ on November 26, 2002, 14:33

Title: Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: DJ on November 26, 2002, 14:33
Hi All,

As I'm currently at uni studying computer science, we regularly use unix systems.

Looking in pcworld i noticed OpenLinux (similar to redhat) that can be installed on a windows based machine.

Does anyone have any experiance of such an installation, as i'm wondering if i should buy it and install it.  This will allow me to run unix programs on my home PC.  Does it need to be connected to a Unix server type machine or can it be run on it's own alongside windows ? ::)

Any suggestions / experiances would be really helpful  ;D
Thanks

DJ1UK
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Sandra on November 26, 2002, 14:52
This is way out of my depth but you may find this site helpful :

http://unixhelp.ed.ac.uk/
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Adept on November 26, 2002, 19:51
Hi DJ,

I briefly used Corel Linux about a year ago, which had this facility. I wouldn't have thought OpenLinux would be that different.

The running within Windows thing was a bit of a red herring. What actually happens is that the Linux file system is able to use spare space on a normal FAT32 partition. When you want to run Linux, you click an icon in Windows which closes down and restarts in Linux.

Once you are in Linux, you get a full blown Linux system which can be configured as a workstation, a file server, a mail server or whatever else you need.

I hope this helps.
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: DJ on November 27, 2002, 13:12
Cheers for the info Sandra & Adept

I am going to leave this until next year sometime - but will let you all know how i get on  :D

Thanks

DJ1UK
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: DJ on December 11, 2002, 16:32
Hi All,

Managed to get a copy of mandrake 9 and about to install it on my Sony Vaio FX401 laptop.  

Currently it has a C: WinXP installed and a blank D:

Is there a way of installing mandrake straight to D: without partitioing the drives - as i haven't got partition magic (which is recommended by mandrake for win xp machines).

Cheers for your advice....

DJ1UK
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: bat69 on December 11, 2002, 16:52
Hi DJ,

I'm waiting for the answer to this one as I hope to install Mandrake 9 (came on a dvd cover disk ;)) on my new machine. As I'm still waiting for some memory, I haven't had the chance to install any software yet.

I do want to be able to run Linux as well as XP on the same disc as I won't have the second disc yet
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Simon on December 11, 2002, 17:36
Hi Guys,

No, I haven't got an answer for you, but have you both tried this website (http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/90)?  It seems to have a lot of information about Mandrake 9 - don't know if you'll find what you want though.   :)
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: DJ on December 12, 2002, 20:33
Hi All,

Have now managed to install Mandrake on my laptop alongside WinXP.

Basically as my drive was already partitioned to a C: and a D: when installing mandrake it asks which drive to install on.

Then I formatted the drive to a linux file stucture and it installed no problems.

Just remember to select Advanced Installation in order to get the choice and Label your partition (as in the installation it only shows the label and size).

Good Luck if anyone else is going to try this ! - any questions I'll try and help.

DJ1UK
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Simon on December 12, 2002, 21:55
Well done DJ!!  (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.telenet.be%2Feforum%2Femoticons4u%2Ffingers%2Ffing05.gif&hash=d7503f7ff0d9f9035fc9cffa81ee2ebca772b6df) (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.telenet.be%2Feforum%2Femoticons4u%2Ffingers%2Ffing05.gif&hash=d7503f7ff0d9f9035fc9cffa81ee2ebca772b6df) (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.telenet.be%2Feforum%2Femoticons4u%2Ffingers%2Ffing05.gif&hash=d7503f7ff0d9f9035fc9cffa81ee2ebca772b6df)
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Adept on December 12, 2002, 22:11
Congratulations and well done DJ (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.telenet.be%2Feforum%2Femoticons%2Fhappy%2F1055.gif&hash=320449ab9667dc163732f5184352ea92d6e72665)

It'll be useful having a Linux expert on-board (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.telenet.be%2Feforum%2Femoticons%2Fhappy%2F1197.gif&hash=6997ce2c7f188a99473beda8669de4157590738c)
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Simon on December 12, 2002, 22:32
Too right - the linux on my kitchen floor needs replacing.  Can you do me a deal, DJ??  

Hang on, I've got this wrong haven't I?  ::) ;D ;D
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: bat69 on December 12, 2002, 22:38
Thats great DJ. Hopefull I'll have some memory for my new PC sooon and then I'll give it a try.


Simon, you always get it wrong ;) you need laminate flooring, then you can slide around when you've had a few sherberts ;) ;D
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Simon on December 12, 2002, 22:51
Surely those ceramic floor tiles are better - much easier to break things on!  Honestly, you know nothing, Bat!   ::) ;D ;D
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Adept on December 12, 2002, 22:56
That's why I love this forum and the people in it. No-one can go so far off-topic as quickly as we can  ;D ;D
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: DJ on December 13, 2002, 10:30
Cheers for the Congrats and Well Dones !!

Simon - I would go for the laminate - the click in stuff .  So if you damage they can be clicked out and replaced. Oh and the added bonus of sliding about as Bat69 mentioned !!

OK Now back to LINUX....  ;)

Everything is working EXCEPT the modem in linux (as its a win modem).  It's a known problem so was expecting it !

Other little niggle is the start up boot menu defaults to linux after 15 seconds.  Would like it to defalt to winxp instead - but i'm working on it.

By they way theres some great little games and time wasters the come with it - so make sure you install them.  For example there's the tea maker that times how long it takes to make tea and sets an alarm when its ready - how handy is that ?!?

DJ1UK
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Simon on December 13, 2002, 12:24
I think there's tweaks in BIOS you can do to sort out the booting issue, DJ, but don't ask me how!  It's one of those things I've read about often, but never attempted - like laminate flooring!  ;) ;D
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: bat69 on December 13, 2002, 20:05
Ahh get stuck in Simon, its easy once you've done it ;)

I found some good advice for tweaking the BIOS, trouble is, the link is on my work PC, and as I'm in London again Mon & Tue, I'll not be in the office until Wed :'(
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Simon on December 13, 2002, 20:19
Don't know if this will be any help, DJ:

http://tweakhomepc.virtualave.net/dualboot9x.html
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Tony on December 14, 2002, 18:35
Hi DJ1UK,

and congrats on configuring dualbootable PC, what is Unix like to work with ? I've often wondered what it was like, many poeple say it is very stable and less prone to virus attack, is this so ? How is it, if you wish to say file swap or work on things with other people using a windows OS PC.

Just shows how clueless I am  ???

catch
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: DJ on December 14, 2002, 20:02
Hi All,

Haven't much chance to fully play with my new Mandrake unix stuff but it certainly has a lot more features than standard windows and is much more stable.  

The only main problem is that I have become a slave to Microsoft and so most of my work is done in a windows environment.  

I know there are programs that are compatible with office programs (for example).

I'll write back when I've more knowledge.  I am a learner.  only used unix at uni to integrate with Oracle databases and CGI scripts - not much more.

But as always I'm learning

Every Days A School Day !!!  ;D

DJ1UK
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: DJ on December 18, 2002, 16:22
Hi Again,

Sorted the boot menu thingy.  It now defaults to WinXP.

Changes were made in the Control Centre to Boot Options.

Still playing about with Mandrake, but up to now it's looking good.  No crashes of any other problems.  Still gotta sort that modem out though !

Also heard theres programs to run WinXP from within Unix (www.vmware.com).  I'm looking into these at the mo.

I'll be using Mandrake more when i get back to uni - off for xmas at the moment !

DJ1UK
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: bat69 on December 18, 2002, 22:34
I'll be playing catch up while you're off then DJ1UK, as I've just tracked down the memory I'm after and ordered it tonight  ;D it should arrive soon and than I'll be twiddling with the new PC over the xmas holidays ....

I had just better warn the National Grid as it'll be drained when I switch on, with all my fans whizzing and lights flashing ::)
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Sandra on December 18, 2002, 22:46
I heard that they were expecting power cuts in the whole of the North East from next Saturday until around the 5th of January to allow them to install the extra capacity power lines for when you switch on Bat  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: bat69 on December 18, 2002, 22:51
The power generator companies might start making a profit again  :o

And I haven't even finished it yet, more things to go into it after I've got it up and running and overclocked to perfection  >:D  .... won't need the central heating any more :P
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Serenity on December 18, 2002, 22:55

I've just tracked down the memory I'm after I'll be twiddling over xmas holidays ....



YOU worry me sometimes Bat  :o  ;D
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: bat69 on December 18, 2002, 22:58
Ohh I'm a good twiddler ... but not on the roof ;)  hee hee


Anyway, who let you out of the Danger Zone? :o ;) :P :P :P :P
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: Serenity on December 18, 2002, 23:00



Anyway, who let you out of the Danger Zone? :o ;) :P :P :P :P

Im on Remand  >:D  >:D  ;D
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: bat69 on December 18, 2002, 23:04
Remand or demand  :P ;) ;)


Just wait until you're on Parole :o :o
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: bat69 on January 05, 2003, 21:16
Anyone thinking about Dual booting, check out THIS GUIDE (http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/Multiboot/multiboot1.htm)
Title: Re:Linux/Unix on WinXP ?!?!?
Post by: DJ on January 05, 2003, 21:24
Thanks Bat69 thats a good guide - shame i didn't find it before I had installed mine.

Still haven't had much chance to experiance linux yet - but since i'm back at uni tomorrow i'm sure well get some unix type work to do.

Anyhow i still haven't got my modem to work under unix.  I knew this would be a problem and didn't really expect it to work.  But if anyone knows how to get a Conexant-Ambit SoftK56 data fax modem to work under mandrake it'll be a help

ta

DJ1UK