Solved Image your system with free Macrium

[whs]

Although I am an old vBox fan, I find VMware easier to handle. It does e.g. copy/paste between host and guest without a hitch.

 

[whs]

Point 2 is only true if the virtual disk image file is on a partition that you image.

So including the virtual disk image file on the same partition would make life easier when it comes to copying system images, I suppose? That's probably the route I'll take since I have plenty of room on my SSD.

I put mine on the SSD although I have only a 60GB model. Right now I have over 15GB of freespace.

 

[kado897]

That's fine if you are going to have just the one VM. I have several with different OS's in them W8, W7 and several Linux distros. I have put them with my data, which is separate from Windows and programs, and do file backups on them.

 

[whs]

I chose the SSD for the speed. But I'll probably also install a Linux distro - but then on a spinner. Not sure which Linux. Last times I used Ubuntu and did not like it. Maybe the new Fedora is nice. Any advice ??

 

[kado897]

My favorite is Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop. It even has a start menu.

 

[PCG]

Just finished the VMWare tutorial, and I'm gonna go for it... I'll report back once the dust settles!

 

[mjf]

I haven't really bothered with VMs but you've all motivated me to get stuck in. It appears VMWare is well regarded? I gather if you put an MS OS (eg Windows 8) on the VM you need a dedicated license?

 

[PCG]

Installation and set up went flawlessly! VMware and Windows 8 both look like a lot of fun... now I'll just need to thoroughly check these out in the days to come.

mjf, if you haven't already done so, I would recommend reading through Shawn's tutorial first. His instructions are easy to follow and right on the mark.

 

[PCG]

I gather if you put an MS OS (eg Windows 8) on the VM you need a dedicated license?

Yes. That's the way I interpreted the EULA...

 

[whs]

My favorite is Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop. It even has a start menu.

View attachment 251036

Thank you Keith. That looks good. Once I get Windows 8 going and some of the stuff on my Android tablet, that will be my next project. How does one get this Cinnamon desktop. Is that a standard option with Mint.

 

[Golden]

Here you go Wolfgang - just scroll down a bit:
Download - Linux Mint

or look here:

http://cinnamon.linuxmint.com/

 

[lehnerus2000]

Linux Mint 14 (MATE)

My favorite is Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop. It even has a start menu.

View attachment 251036

Thank you Keith. That looks good. Once I get Windows 8 going and some of the stuff on my Android tablet, that will be my next project. How does one get this Cinnamon desktop. Is that a standard option with Mint.

I've used Linux Mint + MATE since it was introduced (in VMs).
MATE is the other standard desktop environment for Linux Mint.

The Linux Mint download page

​

I just replaced Ubuntu 10 with Linux Mint 14 (MATE) because I could not get the ATI graphics card driver to work.
It worked "out of the box" in LM 14M (no tinkering required).

The network also set itself up without any tinkering.

I had to download/install:

• "GParted" (I couldn't find a built-in GUI disc partition manager).
• "Wireshark"

I was able to:

• Transfer my customised desktop icons/theme to LM 14M (from Ubuntu 10) without any problems.
• Use "Banshee" and "VLC" to play my media files without any problems.

My customised LM 14M Desktop (click for animation)

​

 

[whs]

Here you go Wolfgang - just scroll down a bit:
Download - Linux Mint

or look here:

Cinnamon

Thank you Colin, very kind.

 

[kado897]

The Linux Mint download page has several versions Wolfgang. Download - Linux Mint

 

[whs]

Thanks Keith, much obliged.

 

[PCG]

For those of you using VMs, what do you do when and if you decide you want to start using a 'guest' OS (in my case Windows 8), as the 'host' OS?

I started a Windows 8 V2P thread over on eightforums, but I thought I would check-in here to see what you all are doing.

If it would be more beneficial/easy to change things around now before I start building the Windows 8 drive, I might do that... Can I use Macrium to perform such a task?

 

[pjnoxon]

I downloaded Macrium Reflect free version, made an image on my external HD,
and then proceeded to make the boot disc and have some questions.

1) When I look at the CD, it has four folders and 6 files:


What is going on with the "Files Ready to be Written?"

2) There is an ISO image left on the desktop KB3AIK_EN
Is this going to be needed for Macrium Reflect in the future?

3) How do I make sure this restore (boot) disc is going to work?

thanks - prof james

 

[whs]

1. Looks OK to me. This .iso must be written (burnt) to a CD.

2. That's probably the one to be burnt to CD

3. Make a small 2GB partition, copy some data into it and image that small partition. Then wipe the data you copied earlier and restore with the use of said CD. If your data is back, the recovery worked.

 

[Britton30]

The file ready to be written is a Desktop.ini file, i see them too. Some w7 glitch I think as I've never used it.

 

[pjnoxon]

OK, thanks for the help all!