[conspire] (forw) Re: (forw) Re: VirtualBox

Sat Sep 24 00:12:29 PDT 2016

What I want to do is verify that the VMDK file made by VMware's P2V converter will run as a virtual machine.  This step would not be necessary if Dell hadn't scrimped 10 cents by not supply install media with the computer.

The original plan was to use VirtualBox on windows.

Upon reflection, it might be simplier a different computer running Debian to do the verification.  

I can download the debian KVM packages, which I think is usually better than downloading from a 3rd party.

Beyond that I don't have much info on KVM.

Can KVM process a VMDK file?  

Where can I find documentation on KVM?  http://www.linux-kvm.org/ is not very helpful.

The following link I can follow, up to the point that it asks for either the install media or a .iso file.  
http://www.howtogeek.com/117635/how-to-install-kvm-and-create-virtual-machines-on-ubuntu/
As stated, I got into this situation because I don't have the install media.

I will put the project on hold for a couple of days waiting for better guidance on VirtualBox vs. KVM.

Thanks, in advance.

Paul

      From: Dana Goyette <danagoyette at gmail.com>
 To: Paul Zander <paulz at ieee.org> 
Cc: Dan Bikle <dan.bikle at gmail.com>; "conspire at linuxmafia.com" <conspire at linuxmafia.com>
 Sent: Friday, September 23, 2016 3:02 PM
 Subject: Re: [conspire] (forw) Re: (forw) Re: VirtualBox

If you don't need Virtualbox's claimed 3D support (which is actually rather crappy), I'd suggest running Windows under KVM, via vert-manager.KVM is integrated with the Linux kernel, and doesn't require binary drivers on the host.

On Sep 23, 2016, at 2:56 PM, Paul Zander <paulz at ieee.org> wrote:
Running VB on windows is only a temporary activity.  

It was Rick's suggestion that, as an intermediate step, install VB on Windows and have it actually run the virtual version of windows.  

Then, having verified the Virtual windows works, I can safely reformat the HD to my liking, and install Debian using the entire drive.  After that, I will used Linux to run VB for those applications for which don't have a Linux counterpart.
BTW, one thing I noticed along the way was that when I am running windows inside VB, that installation won't need assorted programs like LibreOffice or gimp, which I might wish I could run while windows was open.  Another advantage of using virtualization instead of dual-boot.  

Now if the machine had come with Windows install media, this would have been a lot simplier, but we have already beaten that topic into dust.

      From: Dan Bikle <dan.bikle at gmail.com>
 To: Paul Zander <paulz at ieee.org> 
Cc: "conspire at linuxmafia.com" <conspire at linuxmafia.com>
 Sent: Friday, September 23, 2016 11:11 AM
 Subject: Re: [conspire] (forw) Re: (forw) Re: VirtualBox

Paul,
Answer to q1: My experience with virtualbox is that it is buggy and unreliable on windows. For USB features and support you will need to see how virtualbox behaves on your PC.  I have seen evidence that USB support exists for virtualbox guests but I dont know how reliable it is.

Answer to q2: I prefer .txt files.
-Dan

On Fri, Sep 23, 2016 at 9:45 AM, Paul Zander <paulz at ieee.org> wrote:

Many months later, I am moving forward on VirtualBox.
The next step is to actually install VirtualBox.
2 quick questions:1)  Regarding hardware.  I have at least one Windows program that uses a special USB thingy.  Can Windows in VirtualBox, readily find the USB thingy?   Will that lock up the entire USB? For example the mouse which is also on USB?
2)  I have been making rather detailed step-by-step notes of the process.  It is several pages; Much too long to send as an email.  Is this something that should be posted on linuxmafia?  If so, what format is preferred?  PFD, ODT, TXT?

      From: Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com>
 To: conspire at linuxmafia.com 
 Sent: Friday, April 8, 2016 1:26 AM
 Subject: Re: [conspire] (forw) Re: (forw) Re: VirtualBox

Quoting Paul Zander (Paul Zander):

> Regarding disk and partition units:The particular machine has a 1TB
> drive.  Originally C: 900 GB.  There were some "hidden" partitions,
> which seem to be standard windoz something.

If I were you, I would spend some effort figuring out what those are and
what they're for.

> Win8 includes a partition manager, but it has limited functionality.

Yes, you'll ideally want to use a real, open source one, run from a live CD
(which impliedly includes USB flash) distribution.

> Regarding flash vs. SSD:Both are solid state memories based on NAND
> cells which have a limited number of write cycles before they
> degrade.  SSD has a enhancements to increase the life by 10X or more. 
> Now that think about it, only a few years ago people were questioning
> if solid state memories were reliable enough to replace spinning
> disks.  

Early on with NAND flash devices, there was a lot of worry about limited
numbers of write/erase cycles and consequent early device death.  As you
say, current production drives have so extended that number of cycles
that nobody is really worried any more.  By the time your 2016 SSDs are
wearing out, you're almost certain to want to replace them with better,
faster, massively higher capacity, cheaper, tinier 2022 SSDs (or whatever).

People who remain worried are, of course, perfectly welcome to stick to
(slow, power-sucking, heat-and-noise-generating) spinning-rust drives,
that aren't exactly immune to device failure, either.

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