Advertisment

Run Windows from Linux

author-image
PCQ Bureau
New Update

Win4Lin is a utility that allows you to install and run Win 9x/Me from a Linux installation. You can find a shareware version of this software in the CD with this issue. To run this package you need a Shareware License that will be valid for 15 days, and you can get this by mailing sales@netraverse.com. If you like the package, then you can also buy it online from their website, Netraverse.com. The full package costs around Rs 4,300. To install the software you need a Linux machine and an Internet connection, as this software updates itself at the time of installation through the site. We tested it on a PCQLinux 8.0 Workstation.

Advertisment
To run Windows over

a Linux box

To start setting up Win4Lin, first copy the file called Win4Lin40.tar.gz from CD to your home directory. Then ‘su’ as root and run the following commands:

#tar —zxvf Win4Lin40.tar.gz



#cd netraverse_installer


#./win4lin-install 

Advertisment

It will pop a window. Just continue according to the installation instructions and the software will be installed on your system.



Once the installation is complete, you’ll be prompted to reboot the system. After the reboot, go to the same folder and run the same command with a root login as follows: 

#cd netraverse_installer



#./win4lin-install 

It will now ask you to place your Windows CD into the CD-drive. After placing the CD, just follow the instructions and it will copy the Windows setup files to your system

and automatically create a setup.ini file.

Advertisment

To start the Windows installation, first log out of the system and enter as a different user because Win4Lin does not allow root to run it directly. After logging in, run the same commands again:

#./win4lin-install 

It will, then, ask you for some basic settings such as ‘use the floppy drive during installation’ and ‘use Winsock or not.’ Just select the default options to proceed. The Windows installation will start on your machine. The installation doesn’t require user interaction at all, and after it’s done, you can run Windows by typing the following command on the terminal:

Advertisment

#win

It will pop up the Windows desktop and you can enjoy Windows through Linux without having to go through the task creating a dual-boot system.

Anindya Roy

Advertisment