Ubuntu 6.10 install on Virtual PC
After installation it wasn't very different from Windows in the sense that it asked for an automatic update of all packages, and that was about 90MB of downloads. But I only used it for a couple of days before reinstalling Windows XP on that box to use as a host for Virtual Server.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to actually try Ubuntu again. This time I decided to install it as a Virtual Machine under Virtual PC. I already have a Windows Vista box running as a host for Virtual Server 2005 R2 with a couple of guest OS, but I decided to run Ubuntu on a Virtual PC because this way I could use it in full screen mode (which can't be done on a Virtual Server).
First I tried downloading it from one the Ubuntu mirrors. Thanks to TelstraClear not peering with other ISPs in New Zealand, the download from ftp.citylink.co.nz would take about five hours, even on my 10Mbps connection at home. At the end it took about 90 minutes to download from Australia.
But since I was looking for some "real" experience, I decided to extend my daily walk with Isabella and visit the local Dick Smith store. I approached one of the guys there and asked simply "Do you have any Linux distribution on CD?"... And the guy just walked straight to a display with Ubuntu and Fedora CDs. I have to say I was actually surprised to find these at the store.
So I paid $9.98 for an Ubuntu CD (which is cool because it comes with both Intel 32 bit and AMD 64 bit versions) and walked away ready for my experience.
Funny thing is, once back home I logged into the #geekzone IRC channel and one of the guys asked "freitasm, why did you buy Ubuntu?"... It just happens that I was recognised at the DSE store and the fact I am trying Ubuntu spread quickly - shock, horror, awe, a Windows users, Microsoft MVP running Linux!
Back to my test, it looks like Ubuntu doesn't like Virtual PC because it runs on 24 bit per pixel and Virtual PC only supports 16 bit per pixel. The system boots from the live cd and the display goes completely distorted. I then tried on Virtual Server, but had the same result.
I did get a recommendation from one of the Geekzone users to look at a page from the Ubuntu website "How to Configure Ubuntu for Microsoft Virtual PC 2004", but even following those recommendation I can't install Ubuntu under Virtual PC. Those instructions are for Ubuntu 6.06, and I have Ubuntu 6.10. Could be that the problem?
I will keep trying a bit more, won't spend too much time on it. I will probably boot from the live CD on an actual PC, but please don't suggest installing the full OS on it, because I don't have a spare box around for testing, and I can't/won't rebuild my laptop.
UPDATE: I've just downloaded Ubuntu 6.06 and it starts perfectly on a virtual machine. It seems Ubuntu 6.10 is the problem. Trying again now.
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Comment by rscole86, on 10-Feb-2007 11:41
I also had problems with Ubuntu 6.10 in Virtual PC 2004. Had drive errors, woth with dynamic and fixed drives.
Kubuntu 6.10 did load in safe graphics, but i could not see anything.
The downloading of ubuntu took me a whole 15 minutes, via http: from file planet in AUS. So im not sure why your connection was soo slow?
Maybe you can install Kubutu and downlaod the Gnome part of it afterwards? if it doesnt come with it?
Comment by Lyle, on 11-Feb-2007 20:30
Hi Mauricio,
I ran across your blog this past weekend while trying to install 6.10 to VPC myself.
Best method I used was from:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToConfigureUbuntuForMicrosoftVirtualPC2004?highlight=%28virtualpc%29
Step 1: Boot Live CD, press F6 (Other Options)
Step 2: Go near the end of the line and remove the word splash, then press Enter.
Step 3: After Ubuntu 6.10 boots, Press Crtl-Alt-F1 to get to a command line interface.
Step 4: Type in the following command to reset defaultdepth from 24 to 16:
sudo sed -e 's/DefaultDepth.*24/DefaultDepth 16/g' -i /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Step 5: Press Ctrl-Alt-F7 to return to the Ubunto Desktop.
Step 6: Press Ctrl-Alt-Backspace to reload the Ubunto Desktop.
Step 7: Graphics should be adjusted, and now you can perform an installation under VPC.
If you need, there is a step-by-step of 6.06, which is essentially the same.
http://arcanecode.wordpress.com/2006/12/19/installing-ubuntu-on-virtualpc-step-by-step/
Good Luck,
Lyle - MCP, MCT, MCSD, MCAD, MCSD.NET
Comment by Peter Carlson, on 12-Feb-2007 10:22
I have kubuntu running in VirtualPC 2004. At first it seemed to run ok, but now I noticed that whne I type at a bash prompt, I get random multiple keystrokes.
Seems to only happen in Konsole, OO write seemed to work ok as a test.
Any ideas on this?
Peter
Comment by Carlos Miguel, on 22-Feb-2007 10:16
Thank you very much, I've been trying to install ubuntu 6.10 under virtual pc 2004 sp1 for 2 weeks now I'll finally give it up and try 6.06!
Comment by Jonathan, on 22-Feb-2007 13:42
I had the display issue mentioned earlier installing U6.1 in VPC 07, but was able to resolve it w/o too much difficulty. I downloaded and used the U6.1 ISO image directly from my HDD to install. The steps are similar to what was mentioned above, but with minor changes:
1. Create new VM, and start
2. CD, Capture from ISO (browse to your download) or load from your local CD
3. After Ubuntu 6.10 boots, and the screen goes nuts, Crtl-Alt-F1
4. sudo bash
5. nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
6. Arrow down and change DefaultDepth from 24 to 16, write changes (ctrl-w I think) and exit nano
7. Alt-f7
8. Ctrl-Alt-Bksp and wait for desktop to appear.
Worked great for me!
Comment by ramses, on 23-Feb-2007 11:24
Thanks Lyle. I have run Ubuntu 6.10 and Virtual PC 2007. Everything is working OK.
Comment by fumbling, on 28-Feb-2007 01:19
I've found a lot of configuration examples like the one mentioned above, my problem is that they all refer to Ubuntu having a graphical environment. I've installed it "console-only" since I have no need for fancy graphics cluttering my machines memory. How do you configure screen depth in "console-only" mode.
Comment by Arcane Code, on 1-Mar-2007 05:03
I've added a new step by step for 2007. I tried Lyle's technique but never could get it to work under VPC 2007. I finally went with an alternate install using the alternate disk.
http://arcanecode.wordpress.com/2007/02/26/installing-ubuntu-610-on-virtual-pc-2007-step-by-step/
or
http://shrinkster.com/mff
Comment by Adam, on 6-Mar-2007 01:28
Lyle, worked great, thanks
Comment by John Gibbs, on 10-Mar-2007 07:49
Lyle's instructions worked perfectly for me with Ubuntu 6.10... Thanks!
Comment by Miguel Vieira, on 23-Mar-2007 00:23
Hi!
I have an annoying problem... when I press a key it repeats the keystroke. Does anyone knows how to solve this problem?
Comment by Wibbilus_maximus, on 25-Mar-2007 12:52
I had the multiple character problem as well. It looks like its a dual core issue, set virtual PC affinity in the task manager to just one cpu and the problem disappears
Comment by tamathumper, on 3-Apr-2007 05:37
I had the multiple-keystroke problem with VPC 2007 on my dual-processor desktop, and setting the affinity to one CPU did cure the problem.
I have the problem much worse on my XP Tablet PC, but it doesn't have multiple processors or even multiple cores!
I'm googling the problem, but so far no joy :(
Comment by Steve, on 6-Apr-2007 05:08
The multiple character thing has to do with the typmatic setting within Ubuntu.
I'm not sure if that's the right name for the setting. What happens typically is when you hold down a key, the OS will repeat the keystroke many times. This feature is based on timing, and the timing from the host machine to the virtual machine is such that the virtual machine interprets a normal keypress as holding down the key.
Go into the keyboards settings and crank the delay before repeating to a large value (2 or 3 seconds I think). See if that works for you.
Cheers
Steve
sklosky aht cox dot net
Comment by Mark, on 16-Apr-2007 13:04
I am having the repeating character problem (in Kubuntu 5.10 and 6.10)
I tried the processor affinity tweak described above (my hist has 2 cores), but I still see randomly-repeating keystrokes...
This is driving me nuts!
I'll try changing the keyboard repeat settings, hopefully that will work!
Comment by Mark, on 16-Apr-2007 18:27
Yup, the keyboard settings fixed the problem.
Two options:
- Disable keyboard repeat by going into System Settings -> Keyboard (that's what I did)
- Tweak the delay value (make it larger) before repeats kick in (not tried yet)
Comment by mukesh, on 4-Jul-2007 20:02
i have installed macrosoft varticul machine but not installed
Comment by Moreskins, on 19-Dec-2007 11:11
I have the multiple-keystroke problem with VPC 2007. Tried Xubuntu 7.10. That was fine.
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Comment by bradstewart, on 10-Feb-2007 02:01
I have had no problems when installing Kubuntu in Virtual PC 2007. Just start it in safe graphics mode.