Windows 7 virtual pc

[sportflyer]

Can I use Win7 Virtual PC to run Fedora 12 or should I use a third party VM machine ?

 

[Kari]

I like Virtual PC and like to run my Windows based virtual machines on it. However, for Linux I rather use VirtualBox.

A Linux virtual machine is a lot easier to setup and maintain on VirtualBox than on VPC. I'm currently running 4 Linux distros on VirtualBox (GOS, Mint, Mandriva & Ubuntu), and I have nothing to complain.

Kari

 

[sportflyer]

OK. I will use Virtualbox. I suppose I can use the Live Cd version of Fedora to install? Tks

 

[Kari]

Check also this site out: VirtualBox Virtual Appliances | VirtualBoxImages.com

You can download a lot of vdi's (VirtualBox disk images) for free. Direct download link to free Fedora 12 vdi: http://virtualboximages.com/Fedora-12-Alpha-i386-Gnome (it's alpha, some issues with host - guest integration).

Kari

 

[sportflyer]

Check also this site out: VirtualBox Virtual Appliances | VirtualBoxImages.com

You can download a lot of vdi's (VirtualBox disk images) for free. Direct download link to free Fedora 12 vdi: Fedora 12 Alpha i386 Gnome | VirtualBoxImages.com (it's alpha, some issues with host - guest integration).

Kari

I am new using VM machines and Virtual box. Do I just download the VDI file , add it to Virtual box then run ? Tks

 

[Kari]

On the phone, I'll put detailed instructions here within 30 minutes.

Kari

 

[MilesAhead]

On the phone, I'll put detailed instructions here within 30 minutes.

Kari

Maybe I'll piggy back and watch this thread for tips. I used to do some virtual stuff in Linux so I could use the Windows browser media plugins(gasp! I think they were for Netscape back then!) under Linux to play web stuff. But I have only dabbled with doing virtual on Windows.

 

[Kari]

Ok. It was a long call, over an hour but here it finally is.

First, if you already have Fedora 12 Live CD, use it instead of that alpha torrent link I gave you earlier. Live CD is a final edition.


When you have installed VBox, run it. And then:

• Click New
  
  .
• Follow the instructions, until it asks VM name and OS type. Give a name to your vm, choose Linux and Fedora from respective drop down lists:
  
  .
• Assign the RAM you want to give to vm when asked:
  
  .
• When asked, choose Create new hard disk:
  
  .
• Name the hard disk and choose where you want it to be stored. Default location is C:\Users\Your_Username\.VirtualBox:
  
  .
• Click Next a couple times until setup is finished
• Click Settings (next to New button, see first image)
• Choose Storage, choose CD/DVD, choose the drive containing your Fedora Live CD from drop down list:
  
  .
• Run the virtual machine you created
• Login to Fedora as Live User
• Double click Install to hard disk on Fedora desktop
• Follow the Fedora installation instructions (I assume you know what to do)
• After installation is completed, shut down Fedora. Do not restart
• Remove the Fedora Live CD from drive
• Run your Fedora virtual machine on Windows 7 desktop:
  

Notice, please: clicking inside a VBox virtual machine window captures the mouse, you can only move it inside the vm-window. To switch mouse back to host system (Windows), you have to press the VBox Host button. By default it is the right CTRL.

Kari

 

[sportflyer]

Thanks for the step by step instructions: Is there a choice of running it from an iso image so I save a step of burning the iso to a CD? Tks

 

[MilesAhead]

Thanks for the step by step instructions: Is there a choice of running it from an iso image so I save a step of burning the iso to a CD? Tks

I would guess you'd have to mount the image using one of those virtual cd programs like MagicISO.

 

[Kari]

Yes there is.

Do this:

• Choose your new, empty virtual machine.
• Click Settings
• Choose Storage, CD/DVD (Empty), click the small browse button:
  
  .
• Choose CD/DVD Images tab, click Add:
  
  .
• Browse to your ISO, click Open:
  
  .
• Choose your ISO, click Select (I used here the LinuxMint ISO, don't have Fedora ISO):
  
  .
• Click OK, run the virtual machine. If ISO is bootable, the vm is booted from it and installation begins
  

Kari

 

[Kari]

By the way, when you have installed Fedora, or any other OS to a VBox virtual machine, it's got only 12MB video memory by default. It's worth to increase it to maximum, 128 MB.

Kari

 

[sportflyer]

Kari, Thanks so much for the step by step instructions . Great tutorial !

I forgot to ask whether there are any advantages to storing the iso files and the virtual machine HD folder in the default Virtualbox locations ? To conserve my total C drive capacity of 80G , I was thinking of storing both the iso files and the virtual HD drive in another partition D with a lot more unused capacity.

Tks

 

[Kari]

You are welcome!

My .VirtualBox folder is empty, I keep my virtual hard disk files on another disk to avoid filling C: too soon.

Kari

 

[sportflyer]

OK..TKs When I started to install Virtualbox, I notice two components Bridge Networking and Host networking , install both ? There is a warning about temporary network disconnection ...anything to worry about? Tks

 

[Kari]

Yes, install both. It cuts your connection for a couple of seconds. Nothing to worry.

The default network connection type for a new vm is NAT, but for instance if you want your vm to join your host computer's network, you need a bridged connection.

Kari

 

[sportflyer]

I think I will do the bridge connection after everything is running. Tks Again

 

[sportflyer]

After installation of Fedora , do I have to do anything with the ISO image that was added Virtual box? Tks

 

[Kari]

No. A VBox virtual machine can only boot from ISO when there's no previous OS installed.

You can go to settings and choose Empty for CD/DVD drive, or you can mount one of the host system's drives to be used.

Kari

EDIT: To get most of your VBox Fedora virtual machine, you should install VirtualBox Guest Additions. It is normally a straight forward procedure, easily done with other Linux distros, but for reasons unknown to me, it's a bit more complicated in Fedora.

Follow this link to learn how to install Guest Additions on Fedora: http://www.kombitz.com/2009/12/01/fedora-12-and-virtualbox-3-guest-additions/

 

[sportflyer]

I finally got it installed in the Virtual HDD and Linux is running.

a) I cant seem to get a larger display. Max display resolution is 800X600 under display properties.

b) It seems that I can only boot as live user ? Any other options?

c) What will happen I chose Empty in CD/DVD ?

Tks