Login:
Password:
Lost Password?
Print this article  |  E-mail this article  |  Comment on this article

New Ubuntu Linux runs in Windows from an emulated image

By Michael Hatamoto, BetaNews

April 24, 2008, 6:26 PM

The latest Ubuntu operating system, version 8.04, code-named "Hardy Heron," has a new feature aimed at making it easier for Microsoft Windows users to install and test the operating system without creating a separate virtual machine.

"Wubi" is a Windows-based installer that puts Ubuntu on the same partition as the Windows partition. Though it physically writes to the hard drive, it does not actually partition or format it -- which, of course, would defeat the purpose. Instead, it installs Ubuntu onto a disk image that emulates a hard drive.

Ubuntu users simply select the Windows Install option, then choose total disk allocation, disk drive to install to, and user account information before the installation should take over and install the OS onto the Windows partition. After installation, a system reboot must be performed before users can select Ubuntu Linux during the Windows boot manager.


Download Ubuntu 8.04 LTS "Hardy Heron" from BetaNews FileForum now.

Early reviews indicate the process works fine using Windows XP, though reviewers appear to have issues completing installation using Windows Vista. Windows Users who wish to uninstall Ubuntu can do so using the Add/Remove Programs item from the Control Panel.

Operating on the Gnome 2.22 desktop, the latest version includes the newest builds of several popular programs, including Firefox 3.0 and OpenOffice. The Transmission BitTorrent client, Brasero CD burning program, and webcam program Cheese are among several new programs available through the latest Ubuntu OS.

Canonical, Ubuntu's commercial sponsor, plans to release Ubuntu 8.10, known as "Intrepid Ibex," in October. However, it's billing Ubuntu 8.04 as an long term support (LTS) release, which means it will be supported for the next three years.

Add a Comment (54 Comments)

BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Name (required):

E-mail (required):

Enter Your Comment:

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 28, 2008 - 11:14 AM

Gah...

No support for NVIDIA RAID still.

I was hoping the "wubi" bit would do an end-run around that issue. No such luck.

Hate having to manually reparition, boot to the live disc, download dmraid, yadda-yadda-yadda...

Any word from you fanboys as to when the Linux crowd is going to stop calling integrated RAID "FakeRAID" and start actually supporting it? It's not like it's going to go away any time soon...

(FWIW, Vista had no issues with it whatsoever, though XP hated it with a passion until I slipstreamed the text-mode driver into it. I have to admit the Ubuntu method is preferred to slipstreaming, IMO.)

Score: 0

By fewt

edited Apr 28, 2008 - 7:32 PM

I'm a fan of Linux RAID, I'll take it any day over FakeRAID (Any RAID that offloads parity calculation to the CPU and not it's CPU is FakeRAID in my book).

You can get dmraid working with NVidia MediaShield, but Linux's SWRaid will probably outperform it.

Most Linux users that want RAID (that's not hardware offloaded) will use MD, it's the best non hardware RAID implementation I've ever seen.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 29, 2008 - 8:59 AM

You lost me completely. ;)

My system has NVidia, and I'm dual-booting Vista.

AFAIK, dmraid is really my only option.

Score: 0

By fewt

edited Apr 29, 2008 - 5:47 PM

You have NVidia media shield, that's the NVidia MCP controller.

dmraid, it's OK but Linux SWRAID is better.

Disclaimer: I have a MediaShield RAID, and it doesn't perform as well as Linux SWRAID IMHO.

Score: 0

By phenomnaruto

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 1:21 PM

I wish they'd let Ubuntu run in a microsoft virtual pc environment ... i dont know if its linux or MS thats not allowing this, because my vista runs flawlessly and it'd be cool to have ubuntu running on it as well.

Score: 0

By rkraft28

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 2:47 PM

Try VirtualBox. It works fore me, and its free as open source. Its available at http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 3:45 PM

Excellent VM proggy.

Hope Sun doesn't ruin it.

Score: 0

By improvelence

edited Apr 25, 2008 - 1:04 PM

Had problems with vista, but this is a nice idea. I run Ubuntu on 2 of my machines and I love it. This is not "new" though. Wubi has been around for a while.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 9:16 AM

Surprised they didn't link to Wubi, since that's pretty much what the article is about.

For the google-impaired:
http://wubi-installer.org/

(Yes, El Dingo and sjc001...PC_Tool is providing links to Linux. Amazingly, it's not something I haven't done before.)

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 9:44 AM

I want to check this out on my Win laptop (ideally without the usual fuss when trying desktop Linux). So I gather the ISO download from the BN link includes the Wubi emulator? What is your link about?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 1:07 PM

Downloading Wubi (the link I posted) will start the install from your desktop. (you can get other things done while it's installing)

You can also download the ISO (Betanews link) and use the wubi installation to accomplish the same thing (it will install from the CD instead of downloading an "image", some say the "image" is faster, I would agree).

Score: 0

By Neoprimal

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 12:43 PM

Heron has it built in. Once you insert the CD in a Windows OS you'll have the option of installing it like a program. It's basically wubi wrapped inside the install.

Fair warning to all. This doesn't seem to work well if you're using ahci enabled controllers and running Vista. IE: Most new laptops and new systems if you so choose (to use your sata 300 features like native command queuing, etc.). Seems to install as per usual but then flips out when you reboot from within the ubuntu install - doesn't find the installation you did 2 minutes ago. I don't know if this is a VISTA issue or an AHCI issue, but since I'm running both - it's either 1 of them or both. Tried to install on my laptop and the same thing happened.

Score: 0

By rsx508

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 7:46 AM

Too bad Canonical and Automatix parted ways. That was a sweet add-on and made it much more powerful and easy to use.

Score: 0

By valkin

edited Apr 25, 2008 - 5:07 AM

If they so badly wants to showoff Ubuntu on windows, why dont they just use coLinux, i use that on my windows machine to test other linux distros without having to reboot.. www.colinux.org if any wanna check it out.

Score: 0

By meb

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 10:42 AM

It's pretty easy to see why coLinux isn't on the Ubuntu 8.04 install.

From the CoLinux website:
"Next release candidate and recent kernel 2.6.22.18 is available from snapshot page."

From my Hardy OS:
$ uname -a
Linux htpc 2.6.24-16-generic #1 SMP Thu Apr 10 12:47:45 UTC 2008 x86_64 GNU/Linux

It's a little behind the kernel race.

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 10:12 AM

Interesting but maybe not suitable yet on systems you need to rely upon. From the top of the readme:

"WARNING:

Although Cooperative Linux may be actually useful on some setups
(e.g, stable setups), it is still meant for testing purposes only.
This means that running it may crash the host (Windows or Linux system)."

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 7:46 AM

that is pretty cool.

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 8:44 PM

yah, that is pretty cool.

Score: 0

By cricri_pingouin

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 4:47 AM

"it installs Ubuntu onto a disk image that emulates a hard drive."

I'm not sure I understand the advantage over running Linux in, say, VirtualBox.
Can we share files between Windows and Linux? E.g. if I write/save a Python script in Windows, can I access and run it directly in Ubuntu?

Score: 0

By Neoprimal

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 12:47 PM

It installs almost exactly like you would normally, except that you don't need to worry about partitions or hard drives, since it installs into a virtual hard drive. The advantages are obvious...the disadvantage is that if your hard drive file gets damaged for some reason - whoops, there went your OS.

Score: 0

By sergioccg

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 1:26 AM

I saw the wubi option on the 7.10 installation disk :P... but I've never tried it

Score: 0

By MehulAmin

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:09 PM

I had the Last Beta of Ubuntu installed on my Vista laptop using Wubi. It worked flawlessly. Wonderful way to provide a way for people to use Linux without having to redo partitions. I am downloading the final release of Kubuntu and will try it with Wubi tomorrow.

Score: 0

By yourcat

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:07 PM

8.04 is a BOON to Linux beginners.

GOOD FOR IT!!!

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 11:41 PM

Also apparently English beginners. ;)

Score: 0

By improvelence

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 12:50 PM

Actually he is speaking REAL english. Boon is a word and good for it is a common statement. Stop making us Americans look bad.

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 8:46 PM

Well you could have atleast said that in better English. That was a terribly worded.

Score: 0

By fewt

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 8:46 PM

I migrated my desktops and laptops over the weekend, this is a ground breaking release. Printing, Wine, the updates to Gnome (gvfs, tomboy, date time applet), and the new compiz effects are nice.

EDIT: This is pretty cool.
http://www.ubuntu.com/pr...hatisubuntu/804features/

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 8:57 AM

FF 3b5?

Half the extensions don't even work on that yet...

Meh... At least Google ported Picasa2 to Linux so that I can run that natively now. ;)

That and now that Evo is said to be working with Exchange, I might actually have to have another go at it.

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 9:48 AM

I agree. This is in the press release and I couldn't believe my eyes how unprofessional those guys still are. This unfortunately makes the release immediately marked as a hack. How is this ever supposed to end up on the corporate desktop !!??

"Latest and Greatest Applications
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS raises the bar on the Linux desktop experience. It includes the latest, stable version of many core products, and in that spirit is the first distribution to bring Mozilla Firefox 3 (Beta 5) to millions of users. "

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 9:54 AM

It's an LTS, that means it's a major revision freeze. Having FF Beta in the release allows them to move to it without violating their policies of it being an LTS.

I think that the Windows approach here is better, to release it then offer it as an update, but I'm not a Canonical employee.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 9:03 AM

Yeah, that is the suck but it leaves the door open to FF3 when it's released.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 9:20 AM

Heh..

It's connected to the net. Door was wide open regardless. :p

Gotta be bragging rights, but still...I'd never install FF 3.5 as a primary browser. It's good, but it's still beta.

Score: 0

By gatonegrosky

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 7:52 PM

do you have to have a decent graphics card? or just the default one?

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 8:05 PM

I have Intel I945s, ATI Xpress 200s, and NVidia 6200s.

None of them are considered "good" but they all work really well with Compiz.

Score: 0

By yourcat

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 8:11 PM

Yeah... just try a 945 on vista aero... heh heh heh...

I use an intel 915 with ALL Compiz-Fusion effects on in PClinuxOS, and it still runs perfectly.

Score: 0

By ToeKneeC

edited Apr 25, 2008 - 8:15 AM

We could try to raise you 50 dollars to get a good video card :) How ever you look at it, Aero is slick. Or at least the being able to toggle having you desktop use the features of more powerful Video cards. I am upset with MS locking it down though, image if people could create their own (without the hack).

Score: 0

By fewt

edited Apr 25, 2008 - 9:02 AM

Why? The cards that we have work just fine.

If I wanted to play games, I'd be running Vista or XP on a gaming rig. :-D

That said, I get all of the glitz you get with Aero with my cheap old cards.

Score: 0

By ToeKneeC

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 4:58 PM

Maybe it's my Macintosh days, but I like eye candy, and card games that come with this are butt ugly. Windows 3.1 days. But yes on a high end rig now with Vista. Once the new Xbox comes out, i'll most likely drop PC gaming.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 5:08 PM

That's what I'm trying to say.

We get the same eye candy that you get on high-end cards on low end cards.

;-D

Score: 0

By ToeKneeC

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 6:12 PM

Not really though. It's almost there but it's not the same. I have seen the "knock-offs" Even then if it is so good, make it the standard.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 6:32 PM

You just need to apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager and tweak the extended configuration settings.

Score: 0

By ToeKneeC

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 11:13 PM

OK pretty cool - I have to play with it more.

Score: 0

By gatonegrosky

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 7:22 PM

This is great, but the installer's mirror takes forever .... or is just me?

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 7:45 PM

It's release day, there are probably millions of users trying to get to it.

Score: 0

By sergioccg

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 1:24 AM

yep... but if you use bittorrent is a lot faster...I downloaded it this morning and only take me 3 hours with a 600kbps adsl.

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 2:14 AM

Go to "ftp://mirrors.kernel.org". I've yet to find a faster FTP or web site.

Score: 0

By ToeKneeC

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 10:24 PM

Installed nice - no problems. But really the OS is kinda slow, games are butt ugly, and most of the free programs also run under Windows, including Vista. But - it was nice to have both and it did work and if you have use Linux it's a good flavor to use.

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Apr 25, 2008 - 2:15 AM

Ubuntu Linux 8.04 runs faster than Windows 3.1 does on an Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64 processor.

Score: 0

By ToeKneeC

edited Apr 25, 2008 - 7:49 AM

It starts up and shuts down faster. But on the same PC (I have test PC at work - note tested with a clean install), on a restart, first thing, open OpenCalc. Time it. It took the same time to open on XP and Ubuntu. Vista was about the same. Then close it, and then reopen it. In Windows, a blink of an eye (cache). Don't get me wrong, I like Ubuntu. But 1 - get rid of the crap like the 80's versions of games. I would rather have a clean install of things that might be used as well as the best of the best (such as OpenOffice). But this review was more on this version - it worked. I was impressed.

Score: 0

By ker7099

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 7:08 PM

I went this route a few days ago myself. Installed it on Vista SP1 w/o any problems. All seems to be working fine so far.

Score: 0

By mmoak

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 6:47 PM

I did it as well the other day. Went without a hitch.

Dual Boot was nice.

Screen resolution stunk though, so I didn't keep it.

Score: 0

By The MAZZTer

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 9:25 PM

The default screen resolution in Windows is exactly the same? (1024x768 IIRC, although I think Ubuntu actually detected my native resolution. I forget,)

Score: 0

By yourcat

edited Apr 24, 2008 - 8:12 PM

What graphics card?

Score: 0

By Stingray57

posted Apr 24, 2008 - 6:46 PM

I did it. It works fine. I like the dual boot to Ubuntu and XP.

Score: 0

Jul 3 - 6:45 PM ET Netflix box by Roku to get more content providers

Jul 3 - 6:30 PM ET US Justice Dept. sued for info on cellular tracking practices

Jul 3 - 6:27 PM ET Next Patch Tuesday has few security updates, big Vista reliability fix

Jul 3 - 5:49 PM ET BlackBerry Pearl users can test voice input for Google Maps

Jul 3 - 5:30 PM ET Adobe pushes its Flash 10 beta 2 refresh

Jul 3 - 4:39 PM ET Nokia and InterDigital start to disassemble their running feud

Jul 3 - 4:34 PM ET Do-it-yourself phone manufacturer declares its independence tomorrow

Jul 3 - 4:16 PM ET Study: US broadband access up overall, but down among the poor

Jul 3 - 3:54 PM ET Beta test a portable Web browsing device

Jul 3 - 3:20 PM ET Nvidia: 'Previous generation' GPUs failing at high rates