Re: [tlug] Slow Cautious Migration from Windows to Linux

[Doug McLean <dmclean635@example.com>]

On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 2:18 PM, jep200404<jep200404@example.com> wrote:
> Martin Killmann wrote:
>
>> jep200404 <jep200404@example.com> wrote:
>>
>> > The big slow cautious migration I would do would be:
>> >
>> > 1. Split hard drive.
>> > 2. Install virtualization friendly Linux in new partition or _drive_.
>> > 3. Install Linux and Windows virtual machines within Linux within
>> >    that partition.
>> > 4. If possible, use _existing_ installation of Windows
>> >    in virtual machine within Linux.
>>
>> If I do this, it better be the slow and cautious route. I definitely
>> need to keep the XP on this system intact because I need to get work
>> done on it.
>
> Understood.
>
>> I think I'll use a USB thumb drive first, put Linux on that ...
>
> There are many options here.
>
> You can do everything on the USB flash drive.
> You can have the OS on the USB flash drive,
> and your data on a hard drive.
> If you have enough RAM, you can copy everything to RAM,
> then just run out of RAM. The boot is slow, but after
> that, everything screams. (again, you can save data to hard drives)
>
> Pay attention to the speed of USB flash drives.
> Some are pokey, some are brisk.
>
> Also pay attention to live CDs and live DVDs.
> You can use those in combination with data saved on
> USB flash drives, USB hard drives, and internal hard drives.
>
> Also consider using external USB hard drives.
> I think that's your best solution for now.
>
>> Once I have a working system, I can think about fancy VM stuff etc.
>
> Running only one OS at a time will be too painful. It won't be
> useful by itself. So I think that virtualization is a necessary
> requirement of your migration, so that you can run both OSs
> at the same time. I recommend that you start playing with
> virtualization sooner.
>
> Mitigate risk of screwing up your existing Windows installation by
> making backups.
>
> You _must_ make backups. They are mandatory, not optional.
>

For what it's worth, I definitely second the idea about the
LiveCD's/DVD's.  They've really come a long ways to providing a
useable suite of tools to work with, improved usability and so on.

As for virtualization, that's what I do a lot these days.  I only own
one Mac at home, and I can't afford to risk any partitioning or other
things my wife would not approve.  ;)  So, I invested in things like
Parallels for Mac, which works very well for what I need.  I used Sun
VirtualBox in the past, which worked well with Ubuntu, but as a humble
BSD fan, I found it's support pretty lacking (OpenBSD works well now).
 So, if you'd like to save money, give VirtualBox a try, or if you
want something with better support, spend a little and get Parallels
instead.

I can say that for where I work, virtualization is becoming a
frequently attractive option for various niche needs (including
desktop needs), so it might be an interesting and worthwhile
investment in your time.

Best of luck,

-- 
Doug McLean

Blog: http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/