sluggish problems

davethewave · Post by **davethewave** » 23. Aug 2008, 04:29

Hello!
I'm trying to run xp on virtualbox under Ubuntu, I used to run a xp host with Virtual PC running xp also which seemed faster, and gave me a proper IP address (192.168.1.x) Virtualbox is giving me a strange IP address

That isn't my problem (well it is) but not the reason I am posting.
I was wondering how I can get VirtualBox to display under the System Monitor, I go into system monitor to lower VirtualBox's Priority and I do not see it under the list of running processes.

Or, if you can tell me how to start it in low priority it would be nice, it hogs all the resources of my machine and lags the host OS which is really frustrating, especially when my mouse gets too jumpy to operate the system and I am forced to turn off the machine and turn it back on just to clear it.

I'm on a 1.8ghz P4 512MB ram, which should be a reasonable machine to run xp in a vmachine (it ran fine under windows/virtual PC) I am trying to move mostly under Linux, but there are programs I still "need" (prefer) under MS windows (messenger live) no other alternatives compare yet.

VirtualBox is awesome aside from the speed, and the IP address bug, but I'm sure it can be tweaked to work properly somehow
Thanks

Post by **stefan.becker** » 23. Aug 2008, 07:07

Buy more RAM. 1 GB is absolute Minimum. That is the only Solution.

davethewave · Post by **davethewave** » 23. Aug 2008, 12:08

stefan.becker wrote:Buy more RAM. 1 GB is absolute Minimum. That is the only Solution.

My laptop is maxed out at 512MB and I do not have the money to upgrade

I welcome any donations

Post by **TerryE** » 23. Aug 2008, 12:41

We already donate our time to you

A good way to stretch a laptop is to use it as a thin client. You can get a new base unit for $300-400 if you shop around. You can often pick up a one that is a couple of years old for $100 (or less in Europe as you are not allowed to dump PCs because of the Electronics Waste Directive). A 2-year old PC with Ubuntu Hardy on it (especially if you spend another $40 on an extra DIMM memory) is a good test bed and server. You can VNC/RDP/SSH onto it from your laptop. You don't need a keyboard or display except to set it up initially.

Because I am bed-bound I use my Laptop all the time, but I have just bought a new MoBo, etc. to do likewise.

davethewave · Post by **davethewave** » 23. Aug 2008, 13:16

TerryE wrote:We already donate our time to you

That you do

and I thank you for it!
I'm already using my laptop to connect to a more powerful pc, but the reason I am trying to migrate everything down into my laptop is to save power, it's just a few things I still need to use the xp box for, and the biggest is messenger live. Everything else I can use alternatives for in Linux like gimp, blender etc.

Correct me if I am wrong in thinking the Laptop takes less power than the Desktop.
I wouldn't mind finding a decently priced laptop with more ram and a faster hard drive, I hate how they put 4200rpm drives in a lot of laptops.

Anyways, ranting off topic here, sorry! Thanks for the replies!

guess I'll just do with what I've got, until I can get better

Also just so you know that I know about msn alternatives, I don't really care for the ones that are out there as they don't allow the same features like offline messaging and custom emoticons/writing pad/audio clips - the "luxuries"