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Jens

adjusted Sep 2022

Linux on your PC

  • If you already are running Linux naitive on your PC then no problem.

  • If you are running windows or MAC OS the following is a guide to install Linux in a virtual environment.

  • We do use Virtualbox but vmware is ofcourse also a possibility

  • Virtualbox is free to use

We do use mint linux 20.2 (or mint 21) in this tutorial.
You can do the same with other distributions.
You just need a live CD version /

Virtualbox

Virtualbox is one of several virtualisation engines.

In Sep 2022 Virtualbox is at version 9.1

Here is a short story how to install

Before install - 32 versus 64 bit

If you want to run 64 bit virtualbox on your machine you need to verify that your BIOS is configured correctly

See here how to do this

If your naitive OS is not windows then step forward to “step two” in the description above

Step Two – Enable Intel Virtualization Technology in BIOS or UEFI

From the link above

Depends on the type of motherboard you are running, make sure to press the hot keys that would
trigger you to load into BIOS/UEFI setting configurations. Keys like “DEL”, “F2”, “F8”, “F9”, “F12” might do the trick.
Once you are inside the BIOS/UEFI configuration,
go looking for the section called “Intel Virtualization Technology” (if you are running an Intel CPU, sorry AMD).
Make sure the option for this check is enabled.

Install Virtualbox - check before

You need to have enough space on your naitive filesystem to have a partition (as a file) for your Virtualbox running linux.
Less than 30GByte is not so good

Install Virtualbox - step 1

Find the version of Virtualbox you shall install

As date of writing go for VirtualBox 6.1.26 platform packages

See here for downloads

If you are …

  • running windows go for Windows host installer

  • OS X (mac users)

  • linux distributions

Download the installer and install Virtualbox by running the installer

Install Virtualbox - step 2 - Extension pack

You need to install this extension pack for having a real full blown linux in the virtual environment.

Its also found on download page: VirtualBox extension pack (Sep 2022 is version 6.1.38) Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack

Linux image

You can find a linux images in two ways

  1. as a preinstalled VDI image (virtual device image virtual harddisk)

    1. See here

    2. install see here

    3. and here thsi might be the best

    4. as movie disclaimer - I have not seen movie

    5. google for more videos

If you prefer to install by your self then download a bootable ISO image

  1. find it here

  2. install see here

The VDI way is the easiest way

If you are going for the VDI solution then please remember to find a username and password for being able to login. And remember it :-)

Outstanding issues

HW accelerated graphics

You linux might come with an warning like you are runing HW accelerated graphics
This is by nature very HW depended.
Leave it and have reduced performance or follow instructions

Nice to know programs

  • xed - editor

  • nemo - file manager

  • top - show CPU and memory load

  • df -h - gives an overview of disk usage

  • sudo “command” - run a command with superuser privileges - beware

  • sudo synaptic - run app manager for installing SW

tested on mint linux and windows 10 as naitive OS

Jens