Linux On XP Using VMPlayer
From Johns Hopkins Linux Users Group
Contents
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Introduction
This article is designed to show you how to get a distribution of Linux running under Windows XP using VMWare's VMPlayer. The targeted audience of this article is people who would like to use Linux and play with it, but would not like to totally get rid of Windows. Also it's meant for those that would like to do an install of Linux without the complex hassle of doing a Dual Boot
What you will need
- First and foremost, you will need a machine running Windows XP. The instructions in this document should work with other versions of Windows, but they have not been tested in any other version of Windows. Sadly, because of the nature of the VMPlayer software, you will need administrator privileges to install it.
- You will also need an Internet connection. There are a few things you need to download, like VMPlayer and the VM Image to get things going, so an Internet connection will be helpful.
- You will also need your favorite Linux Distro in either CD/DVD form, or in a the form of a .ISO file. .ISO files are a bit easier to use, but this article will focus on using a CD/DVD.
Get the software
Getting VMPlayer
Alright, now you're ready to do the deed and install Linux in your virtual machine. First you will need to get a copy of VMWare's VMPlayer. To get a copyn of VMPlayer, follow this link: http://www.vmware.com/products/player/
Getting your Virtual Machine Image
Once you have a copy of VMPlayer, you should also grab a copy of your virtual machine image. A virtual machine image is a set of files that VMPlayer will use to run the Virtual Machine. These consist of files to act as disk storage, tell VMPLayer a little bit about your virtual machine (ie. memory, processor type, network cards, etc.) and various other files that are used internally to VMPlayer. So let's grab a virtual machine image. Go to http://www.easyvmx.com/supersimple.shtml EasyVMX has other means of generating Virtual Machine files, but we are using the simplest one for now.
Virtual Machine Options
Once you get to the EasyVMX page, you will notice it asks you a series of questions. A brief explination of each is available at the top.
- Virtual Machine Name - The name of your virtual machine. Enter anything you like, this document will use 'Linux'
- Virtual Machine Operating System - This is what OS and OS Flavor you will be installing. This document will install CentOS 5 which is basically Red Hat Linux so that is what we should select.
- Virtual Machine Memory Size - The default of 320Mb should be ok to start with. If you have a lot of memory (ie. > 2Gb) you can increase this if you like.
- Virtual Machine Disk Size - This is going to be the size of the virtual disk in the virtual machine. The virtual machine will take up about this much disk space, so make sure you have the space for it. We are going to use 10Gb for this installation.
- Live CD Settings - We are not using a Live CD, so safely ignore these options.
Once you have completed the form, click Create Virtual Machine and it will go to a page where you can download your virtual machine. Scroll down past the Donate box for the link to the .ZIP file.
Installing VMPlayer
Now with all the stuff we need downloaded, let's get to the good stuff. First, let's install VMPlayer. Double click the file you downloaded from www.vmware.com to start the installation.
At this point, if you do not have administrator privileges, the installer will tell you and not let you install. If, however, you do have administrator privileges, it will present you with a 'Welcome' window. Click Next in this window to continue.
It will then ask you where to install VMPlayer to, you can accept the defaults safely by clicking Next. It'll then ask about shortcuts, just click Next. At which point, you will be presented with an Install window with an Install button, which you should click. The installer then does it's thing, and now VMPlayer should be installed on your system. As with almost all Windows programs, you need to restart your computer before you can go any further so do that now then come back here.
Installing Linux into the Virtual Machine
Booting the Virtual Machine
Now what you've all come here for, installing Linux into the virtual machine. If you haven't already done do, extract the .ZIP file you downloaded. Pop in your CD/DVD for the distro you are going to install, go into the folder that came out of the .ZIP file and look for the file named whatever you called your virtual machine, in this case 'Linux'. Now there might be more than one file in there with this name, so look for the one that has the icon of 3 blue squares and nothing else. The other files are VMWare Virtual Disk files. Double click on the one that is not a VMWare Virtual Disk File. If all goes well, the virtual machine should boot your CD/DVD.
Note: If you get a message about not enough physical memory, then let VMPlayer reduce it, it means you selected too much
Note: If you get a message about no Operating Systems found, you may have a bad CD/DVD
Starting the Installer
At this point, you should be at the CentOS 5 boot screen. Click into the Virtual Machine Window and press enter to boot the install.
Note: One important thing to know at this point is that pressing and releasing the Ctrl and Alt keys on the left side of the key board, will release the cursor from the VMPlayer window.
Once you enter the installer, it will ask you if you want to test the CD media. This is actually a good idea, it'll make sure you get all the way through the installer so click Ok. Once it's done, proceed to the next step.
Drive Partitions
At this point the installer will go and probe for hardware. Then it should start up the Graphical part of the installer. Click Next through the keyboard screen. It'll then prompt you saying that it couldn't read the partition table on hda. This is normal. It'll ask you if you want to erase the data on the drive. Keep in mind the drive is the virtual disk. So you can safely click 'Yes' here.
The next screen is the one asking about creating partitions. It is safe, and probably easiest, to just click 'Next'. It'll then ask you again if you are sure you want to erase the disk, and again, it is perfectly safe to say 'Yes'.
Network Setup and Time Zone
The next screen asks about network setup. Most home networks (and business ones too) can safely click next here to allow the machine to get an automatic address. If not, then you should already know what the network settings are, so you can enter them here.
The next screen asks about time zone settings. Set your settings for time zones accordingly and click next.
Root Password
The next screen asks you for a 'root' password. The root user is like administrator in windows. The root user has privileges to everything on the system, and you should not be logging in as this user normally, so pick a good password then click 'Next'.
Software Selection
Now it's time for the software selection. 'Desktop - Gnome' should already be selected. If you want to try out KDE as a desktop as well, select that option. Then click 'Next'. At this point the installer will 'Check Dependencies'. This may take a moment or too, but it's not actually installing anything yet to hang tight.
Making it so...
You will then be presented with a page asking you to click "Next" to begin the installation. So do so, then go have a sandwich, watch some TV, walk the dog, or some other activity to kill about 30mins to an hr depending on the speed of your computer. I chose to walk to Subway and get dinner.
Post Install
Once the installer is done, it should prompt you to reboot the Virtual Machine and give you a button to do just that. Make sure to pop out the CD/DVD if the installer did not already do so.
First Boot
Upon reboot you should be presented with the First Boot configuration wizard. Click 'Forward' to begin.
Firewall
The first screen concerns Firewall configuration. SSH should be enabled, and that should be safe enough, so click Forward.
SELinux
The next screen concerns something called SELinux. When used properly, SELinux can significantly enhance the security of your Linux installation. However, SELinux is a relatively advanced topic, so to keep it from getting in the way of your experimenting, set it to 'Disabled' and click Forward. A Dialog should pop up warning about the fact that it will require a reboot to disable. Click "Yes" to accept it and move on
Date/Time and User Creation
Next is date and time setup. Make sure your date and time are correct and click Forward.
Next up you create your user. The one you are going to use from here on. Set up your user name, full name, and password here then click Forward.
Sound Config and Final Steps
Next you get to make sure sound works. So in Windows, unmute your sound card and turn it up a little. Then, back in the VM, click the big Play button. You should hear a short guitar strum pan from right to left then center. If you don't, play with the volumes a bit more and keep trying. If it continues to fail, then something might have your sound card locked. Either way, click Forward to move on.
The last screen asks you about additional CD's. You shouldn't have any so click "Finish." The VM should reboot one last time.
Congratulations
After the reboot, you should be presented with a login screen. Log in with the user name and password you just created. And enjoy your new Linux Virtual Machine.
-- The Uber
Installation Notes for Other Linux Distros
Fedora 10
When creating a VMWare Virtual Machine, select the Linux 32 or Other Linux 32 (or 64) operating system. Other operating system selections may not allow you to change video resolution easily; i.e. without editing the configuration files by hand.
Using a generic Linux allows the video resolution to be changed even though the frequency will be displayed as "0 Hz" and a pink "Unknown" box is displayed while you are in the Video Resolution configuration dialog.
-- ajs