[center]You must have fancied using Linux if you really know what it is at least once in your life. If you have used Linux then you might not need what I am going to write here. Today, I will be writing a short tutorial on installing Ubuntu on Windows XP or Vista using Virtualbox.[/center]
[center][/center][center]Virtualbox is a virtualization software which lets you install any operating system on an existing host operating system. In our case, we are going to install Ubuntu on Windows XP.[/center]
[center][/center][center]First of you need to download the free Virtualbox software from the official site of Virtualbox.[/center]
[center][/center][center]The setup file size is around 35MB which shouldn’t take a long time to download if you have broadband connection.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]You will get lot of options about which version of the Virtualbox you should install. If you are using a 32 bit Operating System Windows XP then you should install the version -x86. You can however use the other versions as per the need and system requirements. Since I am using Windows XP so I’ll stick to the the x86 version.[/center]
[center][/center][center]After downloading the application, you can run its setup file and install Virtualbox in your computer.The installation will hardly take over a minute[/center]
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[center][/center][center]After the installation you might get the following error which basically warns you that this application has not passed Windows Logo testing. You should click on “Continue Anyway” if you want to finish installation but if you think that Microsoft Windows knows best for you then you “Stop Installation” as well.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]Now you are ready to use Virtualbox and install Ubuntu on your Windows operating system. Run the Virtaulbox application by double clicking on its icon on the desktop.[/center]
[center][/center][center]You will bump into something like the following screenshot when you run Virtualbox. You will need to configure it in order to run Ubuntu or any other Operating System for that matter.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]You must have a Ubuntu installation CD ready or an ISO image stored on your hard disk. Just put the Ubuntu installation CD in the CD Drive and follow the steps mentioned below.[/center]
[center][/center][center]Click on the blue-colored “New” button at the top left hand side of the Virtualbox windows. After clicking the New button, a new window will open up (screenshot below) which will guide you to create a new virtual machine.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]Now when you have this New Virtual Machine window open, you may press “Next” to get to the next stage in installing Ubuntu on Windows using Virtualbox.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]You can write in whatever name you want to keep for the Virtual machine. If you are installing Ubuntu, then you will have to change the Operating System to Linux and Version to Ubuntu like I did in the following image. I have named my virtual machine as “Ubuntu-onWindows.”[/center]
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[center][/center][center]After that you will be asked to allocate RAM to the virtual machine. The recommended base memory for Ubuntu is 256MB but I have given 729 MB so that you can even run run applications which consume too much base memory.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]You also need to allocate hard disk for your Ubuntu and I have just left the settings to the recommended 8.00 GB in this case.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]Now you are all set to use Ubuntu which has been configured in your VirtualBox. After this, you can just run Ubuntu after clicking on the “Start” button.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]The Virtual machine should automatically detect Ubuntu installation CD in your CD drive. You will also get the following notification which informs you how to use your mouse. [/center]
[center][/center][center]After click OK, you are all set to enjoy Ubuntu on your Windows operating system. It will ask you what is your preferred language like it does when you use Ubuntu for the first time.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]You can now onwards use Ubuntu as you wish. It will behave exacly like it does when you install it on a home disk.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]You will get option to either install Ubuntu or try it. I would recommend you to install it, if you are going to play with it for a long time. The first-timers can try it to see the feel of Ubuntu and how’s it ‘different’ quickly.[/center]
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[center][/center][center]I believe this would help you to try Ubuntu or any other Operating System using Virtualbox. The installation of Virtualbox is a no-brainer and further configuring the Operating System you need to use is not that difficult as some of you might think.[/center]
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