command line linux os for use in a VM

so looking for some advise... In generall I'm trying to run a Linux VM on my windows based laptop to work on my projects off a remote server, so yeah this menas X11 and ssh. Ive tried every client known to man to get this to work in windows... now I'm trying do a VM but I don't want a messy GUI in the way.

1. I know my mac can do it but I really like my PC better...
2. I can't do a native install of linux (I've tried wireless suck really really bad).
3. native isn't great as I'm legally blind and Linux accessiblity is crap at best.

so I want just a CMD line that will let me open X windows after I've sshed into a server, that's it.

ok, and any rec's on VM software? so long as I have a way of swapping files between the host and the VM it's ok. is Virtual box still good?

any help appreciated!

* I'm assuming it's possible to open an X windows with out a desktop manager like gnome or KDE?

 

I'm confused... You're trying to work on your projects off a remote server. What does that have to do with running a Linux VM on your windows based laptop? Could you not simply SSH into the remote server itself?

If this is the case, try googling "putty and windows x forwarding". Any of the first few results should be functional -- set up from various universities on how-to-do-this.

 

Virtualbox with a vm and bridged networking will give the VM access. But if all youre trying to do is SSH into a linux box then use putty. If you need a GUI then use VNC. If you need an encrypted tunnel and gui then you could always port forward.

 

putty and windows x forwarding

tried that. doesn't work...

I'm not the admin to the serve I need ot SSH to it but I also need X forwarding.

it's ok however I got it working with an older bersion of Ubuntu.

 

This hopefully should help:

X Forwarding with Putty on Windows - math.umn.edu
Xming - PC X Server