Linux in VM?

Lenovo B570 (laptop)
Intel i3 (dual core, hyperthreaded)
320GB HDD (220 GB free)
4GB RAM
Win 7 HP, SP1, 64-bit

I am considering taking Introduction to Linux (part of my required curriculum) in the summer semester. I think I would like to run it in a virtual machine rather than using dual boot. Is this practical?

If so, which VM is easiest to set up:
Windows Virtual PC
Virtual Box
VM Ware

Thanks for your guidance.
drpepper

I have read online that VirtualBox is good for Linux virtual machines. That's why I chose it. If you choose VirtualBox, when you create your machine, you can try setting your memory to 700-750 MB for the machine, since you only have 4 GB of system memory. I'm in VirtualBox right now, using Linux Mint (I recommend that distro of Linux), and I'm using 410 MB with Firefox (3 tabs) and Thunderbird open. If you had more system memory for your Windows 7 host, you could try more memory for your virtual machine. My Windows 7 64 bit host uses about 2 GB of memory with no programs running (except for my startup items that sit in the system tray). I use 1024 MB for my Linux Mint virtual machine in VirtualBox (since I have 8 GB of system memory).

Hi Golden,

Thanks for the links. The information in the linked pages combined with recommendations from one of my current professors points me in the direction of VMware Player. That recommendation was in regard to virtual machines in general, not as applied to the Introduction to Linux class.

Unfortunately I do not know which version of Linux will be used. The curriculum is being revised at present. Curriculum details and which professors will be teaching will not be posted until some time in April. When that information becomes available, I plan to open a dialog with the professor(s). I will question:

1. whether a VM can be used
2. if dual boot is required for the class
3. which version of Linux will be used

My reason for asking questions now is twofold. I wish to protect my OS from any errors during the learning process. (I really don't want to expend time and effort to repair the OS when I should be concentrating on assignments.) If a VM is allowed, I plan to be prepared by reading tutorials and asking questions prior to the first day of class.

I would like to address memory requirements with a VM and options for upgrading this machine's memory if I use a VM. Can we proceed with this in the current thread, or should I start a new topic?

Regards,
drpepper

Hi,

Yes, the OS is Windows (Win7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit).

Please bear with me here because I am just beginning to learn advanced topics.

1) If my research has provided me with correct information, my version of Windows can access up to 16GB of RAM. (source: Windows 7 In Depth by Cowart and Knittel, page 784)

2) Belarc Advisor gives the following information (copied and pasted):

4012 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'ChannelA-DIMM0' has 4096 MB (serial number 001DA042)
Slot 'ChannelA-DIMM1' is Empty
Slot 'ChannelB-DIMM0' is Empty
Slot 'ChannelB-DIMM1' is Empty

So far, so good ... It looks like I have the physical room for 16GB of RAM.

3) Lenovo's web site states that this machine is upgradeable to 8GB of RAM. That is a discrepancy of 8GB. Is this because of the processor's limitations?
Intel® Core states two memory channels. If I am reading this right, I can add 4GB of RAM to the ChannelA-DIMM1 slot. ChannelB slots are not accessed by the processor.

Please tell me if I have the correct understanding of all three of the above.

Regards,
drpepper

You don't have to use GRUB to dual boot to Linus (Ubuntu at least) as you can choose which boot loader to use during installation.