Linux To Windows?...

JacobStar910 · Jan 28, 2014

Hello everyone! So I've been using Linux for about 2 years now, I went from Ubuntu, Fedora, and now up to Arch Linux. But alot of games I want to play are for Windows only. I don't have a CD-Rom or 4GB Thumbdrive, only a 2GB.
Is there a way to install Windows within Linux? I've bought Windows 98, XP, 7, and 8 on disk.

*Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum, 1:02 AM here...

Alec Mowat · Jan 28, 2014

You can run many programs with Wine: but I believe it only supports up to DX9

http://www.winehq.org/

You could also try running a Windows Virtual machine, but you will not get the same performance as an actual Windows installation in both cases.

runswindows95 · Jan 28, 2014

Without knowing the full specs, hard to say which current Windows will run. Forgot Windows 98. Windows XP is losing support in April, but on some systems, it's the best Windows to run(Mainly systems with 1GB or less of RAM). If you got 4GB of RAM or more, Windows 7/8. If you can post your system specs, then I can recommend which Windows I would install

Guest · Jan 28, 2014

You can also install VM Ware virtual machine in linux with Windows, if you have a windows ISO. Although if you can get any of the games to run in WINE, that will give you the better performance than a virtual machine. XP is still an option if you want to dual boot, especially if it is not your primary OS.

stillblue · Jan 28, 2014

You must have a cd-rom. Your windows are on a cd/dvd.
Yes you could use wine and windows inside vmware to run many games but games that are non-native to linux, unlike steam games many of which are, then you're not going to get the full value of them unless you do a dual boot. Windows is going to erase your linux boot loader but that can be fixed with boot-repair https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

JacobStar910 · Jan 30, 2014

My specs:

Athlon ii x4 640 (4.2 Ghz) Quadcore
4GB DDR3 Corsair Ram
Galaxy GT 640 1GB
250GB HDD 5200 RPM

Also, I do this so I can play on the games I want and work on the servers that require certain programs that Linux doesn't support.
Is there a possible way at all?

stillblue · Jan 30, 2014

JacobStar910 :

I want and work on the servers that require certain programs that Linux doesn't support.

What are you referring too? You can connect to and modify any server from pretty much any computer.

JacobStar910 · Feb 5, 2014

So is it offical? I can't do it?...

Ijack · Feb 5, 2014

Just install Windows 7 or 8 in a dual boot setup. Google provides plenty of information about this. You are lucky to have so many licensed copies of Windows to play with.

stillblue · Feb 5, 2014

No, we said you can.
Make an iso copy of your install disk, your choice of version.
Install said iso in vmware inside linux. some games may be flaky but in general they should work.

I still don't know what you are asking about servers. Try telling me what it is you want to do with a server.

aliafzal189 · Feb 5, 2014

wine doesn't always work.

first option if you can make some space install window with linux.
virtualbox or vmware requires VT(virtual technology) check your bios that motherboard have it.

second install virtualbox it is free linux product. vmware is third party
make a machine in it keep it light.

stillblue · Feb 5, 2014

But the dual boot ijack suggested is your best option. Using windows in vmware still requires the license I believe so you may as well take full advantage of it. Surely you have a friend that can loan you an external DVD drive long enough to install windows from the dvd.

aliafzal189 · Feb 5, 2014

if you buy or borrow windows why dont you replace linux and onlly use windows. 250 gb hdd 4gb ram is not plenty for dual boot.

if you make virtual machine you can keep using trial version over and over no problem if windows get corrupt and in some copies trial have 60 days and in some 30 days.

Ijack · Feb 5, 2014

You need as much disk space to install Windows in a VM as you do to install it natively. And a native install can use more RAM than a VM can.

if you are limited for resources (which you aren't) a VM would be an even worse choice. If you want to play games then a native install (dual boot) is the sensible option. It will let you use all of your RAM and all the capabilities of your video card.

aliafzal189 · Feb 5, 2014

vm requires ram and if you play game you will need atleast 6 gb but
installing dual boot is like breaking your hd in two, both sides wont have enough space

Ijack · Feb 5, 2014

"installing dual boot is like breaking your hd in two, both sides wont have enough space"

And where do you suppose the space comes from for a VM? Magic?

aliafzal189 · Feb 5, 2014

VM shrink the space i use it every day i run multiple servers with each spec 40 gb hd(virtual drive) in physical machine it takes 8 to 9 gb.

aliafzal189 · Feb 5, 2014

that is why it is all VIRTUAL not real close to reality

Ijack · Feb 5, 2014

"VM shrink the space i use it every day i run multiple servers with each spec 40 gb hd(virtual drive) in physical machine it takes 8 to 9 gb."

It will be more than magic if you can fit a Windows 7 installation plus games into 8 to 9 GB. It will be a miracle. Note that if you want to use compression you can compress an NTFS partition.

"it is all VIRTUAL not real close to reality"

Now that is very true - and the reason why it is not a sensible choice for games playing.

aliafzal189 · Feb 5, 2014

it is more safe
Better safe than sorry

JacobStar910 · Feb 6, 2014

I have Windows 7 on dual boot, but I installed it on my laptop and I moved my laptop HDD to my desktop. It gives me blue screen each time I try to boot into it. I've tried VMWare but it freezes my entire pc even with 1GB ram dedicated and 2 cores.

Ijack · Feb 6, 2014

You can't move a Windows installation from one computer to another and expect it to work, unless they have very similar hardware. Windows 7 is better in this respect than previous versions, but it's still a lottery.

JacobStar910 · Feb 6, 2014

Ijack :

Well unfortunately, I accidentally selected you as best answer. But Linux works on both computers without fresh reinstall, thought Windows would be as likeable and "advanced" as that.

Ijack · Feb 6, 2014

I've unselected your best answer.

You can't move a Windows installation from one computer to another and expect it to work, unless they have very similar hardware.

aliafzal189 · Feb 6, 2014

just clear somethings here you want to play games. you cant play games on linux so you want windows and you dont want to format linux either am i right so far?

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