Virtual Machine (Ubuntu) of actual Hard Drive

[quadrplax]

Not sure if I should post this here or on Ubuntu Forums...lol
I want to get a second hard drive for my computer, and install Ubuntu to it, allowing me to boot into it directly. I also would like to be able to use the same installation in a virtual machine within Windows 7. I've found other people talking about this, but they wanted the virtual OS to be Windows, which is harder than Ubuntu since it doesn't get attached to hardware as much. So, is this possible?

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

It's easy - install Linux to the HDD of choce -- BUT ensure when the bootloader is installed install to the SAME HDD not the first HDD.

In your Machine BIOS change the boot order to choose the LINUX HDD ist. That way the other HDD is not touched at all so if you want to boot an OS from THAT HDD just change the BIOS boot order again. Some BIOSES's allow also a BOOT menu without having to go into the full blown BIOS setup.

Running Windows as a VM in Linux is simple. I've made a post on how to create a PORTABLE Windows system by running as a VM under Linux.

There are some issues to note though -- if your system is UEFI then you'll need to do a few things to ensure the boot loader is loaded to the HDD you want and not the UEFI HDD. I've mentioned those things in the thread.

How to make Portable Windows system (any version)

Cheers
jimbo

 

[quadrplax]

I don't think you read my question right, I want to run a virtual Ubuntu IN Windows, which runs off a physical disk.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Same deal -- ensure the bootloader is installed on the root partition on the Virtual disk.
That way you can just boot Ubuntu from the Vm automatically -- shouldn't be any problem.

Cheers
jimbo