Running Linux under Windows

[Stuka]

Well, I convinced my boss to let me back up our departmental server with a Linux box. Unfortunately, for several reasons, I will need to try and implement the solution using one of the Linux distros that runs inside of Windows. I've been looking at WinLinux, Lnx4Win from Mandrake, and ArmedLinux, but can't see much difference (well, a bit, but who's counting? http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif). Does anyone have any experience with these systems, or can someone recommend one of these as an effective solution? TIA

[Linuxman]

I may be out of my league with this issue, but running linux from within windows isn't really running linux. You can't use its filesystem - the winlinuxes run under umsdos which can't half as good as ext2 and not as stable. I also think the way it runs is as a huge, single file on a windows partition. If you are going to put linux on the box, why not just partition it. Doesn't make much sense to me. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/confused.gif

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ADOPTION not abortion. Proud father of an adopted boy.

Baltimore Ravens
Superbowl XXXV Champs
Ravens 34 Giants 7

[redline]

Why don't you try to just dual boot? I would suggest Partition Magic to partition, and just allow lilo to pick up windows and use it toswitch between the os's....there is a great nhf on that. Good luck and tell us how it comes out...

redline

http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/cool.gifRed Hat http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/cool.gif

[Stuka]

C'mon, y'all...do ya think I really WANT to do this? I actually recommended a stand-alone Linux box, or at worst a dual-boot machine, but I can't get that yet. BTW, Linuxman, at least one of these (Lnx4win from 'Drake) actually uses ext2. No, I don't like the restrictions, but since I didn't make 'em, I don't have much choice. Any thoughts out there?

[Letalis]

You can run slack from a vfat disk, not as a big image file but using a directory on the vfat drive.

Try that.

[ndogg]

Instead of trying to run Linux under Windows, try running Windows in Linux, like Win4Lin from Trelos (it's prolly your best bet too).

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Too much Sun can give you cancer. Windows break too easily.
Apples/Macintoshes can rot. BSD... sounds too much like LSD.
Penguins are the only animals sophisticated enough to wear a
tuxedo.


Linux, the only one with the Penguin.


http://ndogg.n3.net

[Linuxman]

Originally posted by Stuka:
C'mon, y'all...do ya think I really WANT to do this? I actually recommended a stand-alone Linux box, or at worst a dual-boot machine, but I can't get that yet. BTW, Linuxman, at least one of these (Lnx4win from 'Drake) actually uses ext2. No, I don't like the restrictions, but since I didn't make 'em, I don't have much choice. Any thoughts out there?

I tried phatlinux about 8 or 9 months ago and didn't like it. I had a problme with stability and the support was limited so I just gave up.


Edit: Here's a thought - show this thread to your boss and maybe with the responses, he or she will be convinced that the way to go, at least at the minimum, is to give Linux it's own partition.

You can also try one of the smaller Linuxes like peanut.
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ADOPTION not abortion. Proud father of an adopted boy.

Baltimore Ravens
Superbowl XXXV Champs
Ravens 34 Giants 7

[This message has been edited by Linuxman (edited 29 January 2001).]

[JAdrock]

VMWare.
http://www.vmware.com/

- End of Story -

[TheCage]

I've used lnx4win from mandrake b/c I had some trouble with filesystem/partition junk when trying to install it. It uses an ext2 file system and I haven't had any real problems with it, but I can't really compare it to the others.

[Stuka]

Well, just to let y'all know, after looking at the info available, I let the boss know that what he wanted wasn't really doable - except w/VMWare, but we're goin' low budget here (it's only an experiment, after all!). Anywho, I've gotta figure out a slightly different solution now. Thanks for the input!

[X_Entity]

there is a bootable cd version of drake that runs from a ramdisk that might well be the answer to your problem or you could try one of the many floppy distros that run in ram as well. As for running it under windows its its ...
I'm lost for words. don't do it. Run it native.