virtualbox.org

Hi

I've recently downloaded virtualbox;

but a little prehistory...
I heard that linux debian and actually mostly all linux os(s) are having problems with hardware compatibility... OK
so then I tried to find out what linux distro may be compatible with my notebook and according to linux drivers list (Running Linux on Asus Laptop and Notebook Computers)
I am recommended to install ubuntu natty 11.04 only ; but the thing is I'd like debian linux os to be installed;

so my question is may virtualbox help me to test hardware compatibility with debian linux to know for sure I cannot or can have debian os installed on my notebook?

thanks

I can't help what you might have heard, but in fact Linux tends to be more forgiving of hardware differences than Windows - the Linux people don't get extra money when you upgrade. I say this as someone who prefers Windows.

Also, you can't test host hardware compatibility using a VM: the hardware presented to the guest inside a VM is simulated. You will only test that the guest OS is compatible with the simulation: which it had better be, because that's why VirtualBox provides selectable templates.

In general, if you want to run a modern OS, and your hardware has enough RAM, hardware acceleration (VT-x or AMD-v), 100GB or so of free diskspace, and a multi-core CPU then you basically have your pick of guest OS's, they'll all run similarly - after all if one ran particularly badly it would be extinct. The main difference between modern OS's is presentation and sometimes specialised audiences.

OK... Hardware simulation I got what you saying... Anyway, is there some another way to find out? I mean what if to set settings according to the real hardware and see will OS be running with these "really existing hardware" parameters for example? Can virtualbox help in this direction? How you think?

andrew001 wrote:OK... Hardware simulation I got what you saying... Anyway, is there some another way to find out? I mean what if to set settings according to the real hardware and see will OS be running with these "real hardware" parameters for example?

Unless your computer is over 400 years old, you should be able to run most versions of Linux. One caveat about Debian however. They insist on using as few non-open source drivers as possible so there may be a device or two that could be a problem finding drivers for.

Linux these days doesn't have issues with hardware. Example I installed a new SATA controller card ( for extra ports ) that in Windows requires special driver, but in Linux it didn't need any.
There may be an issue with exotic hardware but I have *never* seen and issue. Now the question of virtual guests. There is a special set of drivers that are called guest additions. Install them in the guest and you should be good to go.

Exception: USB in a guest may or may not work properly and depends on what it is. Bottom line here is the only way to find out if what you want will do what you want it to do, you have to try it yourself.

Perryg wrote:Linux these days doesn't have issues with hardware. Example I installed a new SATA controller card that in Windows requires special driver, but in Linux it didn't need any.
There may be an issue with exotic hardware but I have *never* seen and issue. Now the question of virtual guests. There is a special set of drivers that are called guest additions. Install them in the guest and you should be good to go.

you are right. windows have problems with SATA (the win xp at least) the "new intel chipset" issuel
And, yes, concerning the asus, as I can remember it, ASUS brand family should be quite friendly with linux especially its eee pc series which has linux pre-installed So maybe you are right and I should face no problem I am worrying about Anyway, I am trying to pre-test before I start installation from scratch so I hoped I can do so with VB help.

loukingjr wrote:

andrew001 wrote:OK... Hardware simulation I got what you saying... Anyway, is there some another way to find out? I mean what if to set settings according to the real hardware and see will OS be running with these "real hardware" parameters for example?

Unless your computer is over 400 years old, you should be able to run most versions of Linux. One caveat about Debian however. They insist on using as few non-open source drivers as possible so there may be a device or two that could be a problem finding drivers for.

what you mean as "non-opened drivers"? You mean debian os sells drivers? Could you give more details? Is there a drivers price list or something?

andrew001 wrote: what you mean as "non-opened drivers"? You mean debian os sells drivers? Could you give more details? Is there a drivers price list or something?

non-open source drivers. And no, they don't sell drivers or anything else. We are getting far afield of your original question so I will leave it go at that.

loukingjr wrote: non-open source drivers. And no, they don't sell drivers or anything else. We are getting far afield of your original question so I will leave it go at that.

Ok, I got what you saying. Thanks