linux.gotfoo.org

While I’m at work I use Windows. While I’m at home I use Linux.
While I’m at work I’m usually working. While I’m at home I’m usually working on my next Linux or Programming HOWTO.

Well it’s been a slow copule of weeks at work and I don’t very work to do that is urgent and I’d really like to crank out some Linux howto’s but it’s kind of hard to do on a Windows PC.

Then I discovered Microsoft’s VirtualPC 2004 which is FREE and now I’m posting this from Firefox running on Xubuntu via VirtualPC.

So if or when you’re stuck on a Windows PC and you want to run a Linux LiveCD this article’s for you.

First download and install Microsoft’s VirtualPC 2004.

Then download a Linux LiveCD.
*NOTE* If you use:
Ubuntu 6.06 (Xub or Kub) - Boot into “Safe Graphics Mode”
Knoppix 4.0.2 - The graphics will only display in 256 colors- and I couldn’t find a cheat.
Slax 5.1.7 - wouldn’t work at all
KnoppixHelix & nUbuntu worked fine.
BackTrack - No Network cards

Once you’ve downloaded a Linux ISO save it to a directory and then launch VirtualPC.

Since this is a Windows App the whole process is pretty much Point And Click

Give it a name:

Then a target OS: which will be Other

Give it some RAM: My Workstations’ got 2GB and I’ve successfully alocated 512MB

Create A New Virtual Hard Disc

Save the VirtualPC Settings File

And you’re done with the Setup

Now if it is open launch the VPC Console

Now Click Start and a new blank Console will open.
Click CD-> Capture ISO Image..
This opens up a File Dialog so you can go find the ISO you downloaded eariler.
Once you select the ISO VPC automaticly start to mount the disc. After about 20 seconds you should see the LiveCD come to life but if not there may be a problem.

Once the Linux CD is fully booted up you can “enter” the VPC by double clicking in the VPC window. The first click select the VPC window and the second activate sthe mouse in Linux. To release the mouse from VPC just hit the Right Alt key and Windows will now have control. To toggle fullscreen use Right Alt+Enter.

There is an add-on pack that will allow the VPC to access your loacal drives but I haven’t found it yet.

When VPC doesn’t have an ISO mounted there are a host of settings you can tweak.

And that’s it. Have fun.