Thinking of Windows with Linux VM

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
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0
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So I have been using Ubuntu and other distros of Linux for the past 4 years.

It seems to me that VM's with Linux as the server and Windows as the client run slower than vice versa. Whether this is on Windows end or Linux's end, I don't know, but I'm also having other problems.

Right now, for instance, running a Windows 7 x32 VM (Assigned 1 Core, 1536MB RAM, 30GB HDD, Virtualization Enabled but no Nested Paging) I get this weird staticky audio, everything is terribly slow and somewhat unstable.

Additionally, OpenOffice in Ubuntu 9.10 is screwed up as is Bluetooth, Sleep/Hibernate, and Flash animation (Adobe's end) leaves a lot to be desired.

As a person who loves Linux and most everything about it, what do you other Linux users suggest/do?

Thanks,
-Kevin
 

xSauronx

Lifer
Jul 14, 2000
19,582
4
81
i havent played with any VMs at home lately, but what vm software are you running? if youre using linux you could be using a number of things. last i ran a vm under linux it was XP, it ran reasonably well (i never had sound on) and was stable.

i have ubuntu 9.10, but honestly, ive been using windows more lately and havent played with it much. ive been on a gaming kick the last couple months...
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,309
13,047
126
www.anyf.ca
Windows (especially xp and up) is quite heavy on resources compared to Linux so when you virtualize it you can see the overhead more. At least that's my philosophy. Though it should still be usable. I run several windows VMs on my linux server and don't really notice any lag or issues.
 

MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
3
81
Your choice of virtualization software could definitely be a factor.

For VMWare, Windows 7 is only a supported guest on the latest versions of Workstation and Player. You might get it to work on earlier versions, but the virtual hardware drivers (i.e. VMWare Tools) may not be optimized for 7, resulting in the performance anomalies you're seeing.
 

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
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I'm running the latest version of VirtualBox

I can't wait until I graduate college and can build a desktop computer. Then I don't have to deal with many of these issues.
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
0
0
My experience has always been that I/O sucks on Windows and that makes VMs suck even more and the affect hurts the host OS as well. I used to use an XP VM on Linux at work and it ran fine, but now I have a separate laptop that I have Win7 on and I just rdp into that most of the time.