Installing Linux Mint in Oracle VM

[kemperhills]

I have an Acer Aspire 1300 running Windows 7, SP1 x64 with IE 11.

I have Oracle VM installed with Windows XP Pro, SP3 already running in the VM. I would like to install Linux Mint Cinnamon also, but can't understand how to install Linux in Oracle with Windows XP already installed.

Could someone direct me to instructions on how to do this. Thanks.

[scottgus1]

Easiest way is to make a new guest. The you have two virtual machines, one XP and one Linux. If your host is strong enough you could run both guests at the same time.

Follow the instructions to make a new guest in the Help Manual, just like you did for the XP guest.

[loukingjr]

Easiest way is to make a new guest.

Is there another way? sorry Scott, couldn't resist.

[scottgus1]

I had a vague idea OP was trying to install the Mint inside the XP as a dual-boot:

can't understand how to install Linux in Oracle with Windows XP already installed

[loukingjr]

[scottgus1]

BTW, Kemper, if you really were trying to do a dual-boot with Mint & XP (interesting experiment), just put the Mint ISO in the XP virtual CD and boot the XP guest from the Mint ISO, just like you'd do with a real PC. I think Linux comes with a dual-boot installer.

[kemperhills]

BTW, Kemper, if you really were trying to do a dual-boot with Mint & XP (interesting experiment), just put the Mint ISO in the XP virtual CD and boot the XP guest from the Mint ISO, just like you'd do with a real PC. I think Linux comes with a dual-boot installer.

Thanks to all for they replies. Scotgus, the reason I am running XP in the VM is because I have some older software and a printer that I use that won't run in W7. The reason I want to run the Linux in a VM is to learn how to use Linux before installing. If I can find another OS that I like, and Linux seems to be the best choice, I am through with Windows. After the fiasco with Windows 10, the forced updates, the spying, installation problems, etc., if I can learn Linux that will be my new OS. However, I installed it on a computer as the OS and couldn't get the thing to work. So, now, I want to put it on a VN, learn how to use it, then install it and get rid of all my windows OS's.

If I understand it correctly, in 2016 Microsoft will stop support W7 and I want to be rid of Windows by then, as, unless something happens I don't foresee, I WILL not have a Windows 10 on my computers.

In my office I have four desktop, a laptop, and a tablet that I use.
Thanks for the reply.

[scottgus1]

OK, makes sense. Make a new guest and install the Linux Mint on it. That will allow the easiest experience.

[kemperhills]

OK, makes sense. Make a new guest and install the Linux Mint on it. That will allow the easiest experience.

Question? I tried that, put the "new guest" on a different partition than the XP partition, but when I tried to install Linux the XP "guest" opened. Is it supposed to do that or am I doing something wrong. I was expecting the Linux "guest" to open in its own window. Thanks.

[BillG]

What exactly did you do? You do not install virtual machines on partitions!

Open the VirtualBox Manager window and click on New. Create a new vm and a new virtual hard drive (the default behavior for a new guest) and assign the Linux Mint installation file to the DVD drive of this vm. (This is the equivalent of having a brand new PC and putting the installation DVD in the drive). Now start the vm. The installation of the OS should start automatically. Your other vm will not start unless you start It from the VirtualBox Manager window.

[kemperhills]

What exactly did you do? You do not install virtual machines on partitions!

Open the VirtualBox Manager window and click on New. Create a new vm and a new virtual hard drive (the default behavior for a new guest) and assign the Linux Mint installation file to the DVD drive of this vm. (This is the equivalent of having a brand new PC and putting the installation DVD in the drive). Now start the vm. The installation of the OS should start automatically. Your other vm will not start unless you start It from the VirtualBox Manager window.

Thanks, will try that.

[kemperhills]

What exactly did you do? You do not install virtual machines on partitions!

Open the VirtualBox Manager window and click on New. Create a new vm and a new virtual hard drive (the default behavior for a new guest) and assign the Linux Mint installation file to the DVD drive of this vm. (This is the equivalent of having a brand new PC and putting the installation DVD in the drive). Now start the vm. The installation of the OS should start automatically. Your other vm will not start unless you start It from the VirtualBox Manager window.

Thanks, will try that.

Well, I was going by the instructions I found on the internet about installing Oracle VM. It said to create a partition and install the VM on the partition. So you are saying not to install the VM on a partition?

[socratis]

Most probably he's saying that instead of following a "random tutorial" on the internet, you should follow the instructions on the user manual; Chapter 1.7. Creating your first virtual machine. Bill summarized it nicely, but if you want more details (and pictures!) check the user manual.