VMware: easily run Puppy Linux from within Windows

[Sylvander]

You could run ANY Linux distro using this method, but I used a Puppy Linux puplet named Ferrari got at:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EKKOH26H
[217.58 MB iso named Puppy Ferrari 410.iso].

1. Went HERE and read the instructions.
(a) Downloaded this zip archive to a handy folder on my C: partition and unzipped it, which produced a sub-folder with 3 [or was it 4?] files in it.

(b) Copied into that sub-folder, the ISO file normally used for making the "live" puplet optical disk [CD].

(c) Renamed it to livecd.iso and gave the OK to replace the already existing file of that name in that folder.

2.
(a) Went HERE, submitted the necessary info, and downloaded the VMplayer installation exe file to a handy folder [c:\00] and used it to install the program.

(b) Once the install was complete, rebooted back into Windows, ran the VMware program, navigated to the VMX file unzipped in step 1a above, and ran that file.

(c) The Puppy puplet [Ferrari] began to load.
Completed the necessary configuration choices, and was taken to the Ferrari desktop [looks GREAT!]

(d) Closed Ferrari, which brought me back to the Windows desktop.
Anyone know if there's a way to [quickly/easily] swap between Puppy and Windows?

3. Should mention...
I was unable to make the normal "pup_save" file...
Ferrari reported it couldn't find a drive/partition on which to save.
I know this system is supposed to be used to take a look at Linux distros rather than to run them as per normal.

[risk_reversal]

Sylvander you must be telepathic as a few days ago I was also wondering about running Puppy Linux within XP in a virtual machine.

I opted for VirtualBox but did see VMWare also.

VB install was pretty straightforward. Installed Puppy Linux 4.2 into VB and it runs great.

Ran into a minor hiccup with the Host key function but that is probbaly because I did not really read VB's instructions.

Cheers

[Sylvander]

Certainly not telepathic.
I was on the lookout for this kind of thing following a thread by someone [was it you?] who wanted to be able to launch Puppy from within Windows, and Paul Komski said the best thing to do was use a virtual machine.

So whilst browsing in the Puppy Linux forum, someone gave a link to "LiveCD Virtual Appliance", as an easy way to run Puppy from Windows, and the rest followed from there.

I think it's intended only as a quick & easy way to take a look at [Puppy, or any other] Linux.

[risk_reversal]

Sylvander said:
I think it's intended only as a quick & easy way to take a look at [Puppy, or any other] Linux.

Well having never tried VMWare I cannot comment on that prog but in VirtualBox there is the ability to create individual program profiles and save any updates.

In fact the poster who suggested using VirtualBox (and who also tried VMWare) stated that he was running about 10 Linux versions (presumably not at the same time).

Certainly memory is not being used efficiently if Puppy is run from within windows. My system has 512Mb of ram. When windows boots about 365Mb left. VB asks how much ram to use and advises using 192Mb (default) which can be increased / decreased.

When Puppy opens in VB there is approx 90Mb of ram left. I am guessing that VB loads the 100Mb of Puppy into the 192Mb.

I think that VB can allow the ISO to be copied into XP and then would not require the CD to run.

I am also going to attempt to get a wireless connection on Puppy running in VB.

Cheers

[Sylvander]

What do you see as the advantages of running a Puppy in a virtual machine within Windows rather than rebooting to a Puppy?

[Paul Komski]

I am most familiar with the free MS Virtual PC 2004 and like the way you can network to the main PC by enabling its software "loopback network adapter". MS now have a 2007 version in beta but I haven't tried it.

In another thread I didn't really "recommend" using the an ISO in this way but the OP in question had been trying to boot to the ISO copied to a CD (such a common mistake) and I was explaining merely that an ISO file can in fact be used in this way just as a floppy image file can be accessed (as a floppy disk) from a VM.

The main reason for running Puppy (or whatever) in this way is to be able to access, practice on and test operating systems without a reboot or without a second PC.

[Sylvander]

1. "The main reason for running Puppy (or whatever) in this way is to be able to access, practice on and test operating systems without a reboot or without a second PC"
(a) ErnieK [during one of our long chats on the phone] was explaining and urging me to try using a virtual Machine.
He explained that [in his opinion] a good reason for doing this is because...
You can choose to not save [lose all] changes made during the session, so that any infection contracted during the session would be GONE.

(b) I installed "Virtual Box 1.5.6", but didn't really get into it.
Using Puppy seems easier.
I don't like things to be [what seems to me to be] difficult.
Go where the going is good, and progress swift.
Although I do try stuff that others seem to think is difficult.
It's all relative I guess.