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    Virtualizing an OS that is physically installed

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by AndyNJ, Apr 17, 2007.

  1. AndyNJ

    AndyNJ Notebook Geek

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    I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this, but we'll see I guess.

    Say I have a Windows and Linux dual boot. Is is possible to also virtualize (would it technically even be virtualizing?) that Linux install from within Windows?

    Sometimes it makes sense for me to be natively in Linux, but usually I just need to check something real quick and the process of rebooting into Linux and then back into Windows takes longer than doing what I have to do. So if I could virtualize my Linux installation from Windows for those instances, that would be awesome.

    I know with a Mac you can use Boot Camp to install Windows and then Parallels to also virtualize that same installation, but what about on a PC?
     
    AndyNJ, Apr 17, 2007
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  2. LIVEFRMNYC

    LIVEFRMNYC Blah Blah Blah!!!

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    LIVEFRMNYC, Apr 17, 2007
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  3. Brigand21

    Brigand21 Notebook Consultant

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    I don't know if that's possible, but i would suggest simply creating a second miniature linux install on a VM and running that to check things quickly.

    Bear in mind that the hardware profile exposed to an installed OS is dramatically different to a virtualised one. So the Linux you have installed already would probably start flaking out if it was booted on a virtual machine.

    hope that's of some help :eek:
     
    Brigand21, Apr 17, 2007
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  4. AndyNJ

    AndyNJ Notebook Geek

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    @LIVEFRMNYC

    That's exactly what I'm looking for!

    You're awesome and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise. :)
     
    AndyNJ, Apr 17, 2007
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  5. AndyNJ

    AndyNJ Notebook Geek

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    that's what i'm afraid of. i've never done this with linux, but i hear that it can usually run on new hardware without a reinstall.

    windows, not so much...at least not without a lot of work.
     
    AndyNJ, Apr 17, 2007
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  6. Brigand21

    Brigand21 Notebook Consultant

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    Well i was kinda right :rolleyes:
     
    Brigand21, Apr 17, 2007
    #6