Windows in Linux?

[T J Tulley]

I have read that software exists which enables a Windows-like environment to be installed in a Linux system. Does this apply to Mint/Bianca?

If so, does it help with transfer problems? In particular, could I run msimn.exe from it, to open Outlook Express?

How can I download and install it?


Yours hopefully, -



Theo Tulley.

tj.tulley@physics.org

[msgnomer]

The software portal has VirtualBox:
http://www.linuxmint.com/software/?sec=item&id=59

I haven't used it (or any VM stuff).

[900i]

Virtualbox is the way to go.

[T J Tulley]

Thanks - I've downloaded it (all 2.8 kB!) to Desktop and moved it to Downloads. It's an Archive and Archive Manager can't open it. In Windows I'd use Stuffit - what here?
With many thanks,

Yours sincerely, -



Theo Tulley.

tj.tulley@physics.org

[dswaim91]

It's not an archive file. It is a mint file. Just click on it and let it do the rest!

[T J Tulley]

Thanks dswalm91 - 2 files downloaded - 1 is an archive, the other is a package of 11.8 MB which has been installing for about an hour - Package Manager doesn't show a progress bar & could do with one. I think the archive is documentation and I shall need it.

AdobeReader similarly came with 2 installation files - one an RPM package, the other a tar archive. I can't get either to work. I've installed various plugins from the Install Software facility, including tar. RPM showed a warning so I didn't mark that; there were various others apparently related to RPM which I did download and install.

Any ideas?
Yours hopefully, -



Theo Tulley.

tj.tulley@physics.org

[linuxviolin]

AdobeReader similarly came with 2 installation files - one an RPM package, the other a tar archive.

You are sure to have downloaded of Linux Mint Software Portal as msgnomer said it to you ?

http://www.linuxmint.com/software/

You should have a .mint file, not tar or RPM! It is enough to click on the file to launch the installation. Very easy.

[T J Tulley]

Thanks Linuxviolin.

I have done the downloads again from Linuxmint.com/software and although they are named as mint files, the actual downloads are gzip archives - I downloaded both Acrobat Reader and also PDFedit as an alternative.

VitualBox also downloaded as a mint file but that too is in a gzip archive. I need software to unzip these.

Please can you suggest a suitable tool?
Yours hopefully, -

Theo Tulley.

tj.tulley@physics.org

[skampo]

It seems to me you are talking about Bianca. If that is the case you may need to go to this thread http://www.linuxmint.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1206 and follow those steps. After doing the steps in that thread install "mintinstall" You should then be good to install from the portal.

[T J Tulley]

Thanks again - sorry I'm dim. This is a new environment. Yes - it is Bianca Light now with a lot of updates and additions - evidently not enough.

I can't find /etc/apt/sources.list - I've opened Software Sources in the All Programs list in Bianca (aka Start) but that doesn't help.

With many thanks,

Yours sincerely, -



Theo Tulley.

tj.tulley@physics.org

[linuxviolin]

Indeed if you use Bianca the .mint files are not useful, you must use Cassandra.

I strongly advise you to use Cassandra, with a fresh install or, if you prefer (but really not advised), try an upgrade:

http://www.linuxmint.com/wiki/index.php/How_to_upgrade_to_Cassandra

We strongly recommend Fresh installs

I guess that it is best than you can make. It is always preferable to use the last versions of the distribs, moreover by doing that these problems will disappear.

[T J Tulley]

Thanks a lot. Consternation!

If I do a fresh install of Cassandra, how can I import into that all the stuff I've accumulated in Bianca? The only place I can put Cassandra is either in a new partition on a new 500 GB SATA HDD not yet installed, or in a 69 GB extended partition in my "Images" HDD - at present Primary EIDE slave.

Then what about booting? I guess I need to install Grub on a floppy - how do I go about that?

Yes, I've Bookmarked its Manual - it's daunting! This whole episode is interruption to a very busy programme - and I'm 88.

BTW, I've just posted another question in this forum on topic Networking - that may be relevant to this discussion.

With many thanks,

Yours sincerely, -



Theo Tulley.

tj.tulley@physics.org

[linuxviolin]

And what about backup of your personal data? Maybe on an external drive. Then after you format your drives, install Cassandra and copy/paste your data. For Grub, with a fresh install, no problem. It will be on the MBR.

Of course with a Fresh install you loose all your installed applications and system settings but you will be able to reinstall all that afterwards, even if that can take a little time. You will have a clean, up to date system and you will be able to use all its functionalities, like the .mint files for example, without problems.

I ensure you that it is the best solution and simplest!

If really you do not wish absolutely to do that, perhaps try to add in /etc/apt/sources.list the Cassandra repository:

Code: Select all

deb http://www.linuxmint.com/repository cassandra/

Then reload Synaptic and you should see mintinstall. Maybe you can install it in Bianca without problem.... Just maybe.

[T J Tulley]

Please say: is the Upgrade which is offered every time Updates are installed when I log on at the beginning of the day, the same as Cassandra - or is it a later version of Bianca?

I'm having trouble with downloads - yesterday I started installing the package virtualbox and the package manager ran for several hours - eventually I quit - receiving a warning message.

Now I've just tried to install a small package supporting networking from Install Software, and Synaptic Package Manager produces an Error box saying:
E: The package virtualbox needs to be reinstalled, but I can't find an archive for it.
E: Internal error opening cache (1). Please report.
How do I report this?

Just before that, it suggested a command line, but I copied it and Terminal refused to accept a Paste. I had forgotten the line and can't get back to it.

Your reply about backup et c. has come in while I'm typing this - as I said yesterday: I can't find /etc/apt/sources.list - where do I go for that?

Yours hopefully, -

Theo Tulley.

tj.tulley@physics.org

[linuxviolin]

For the error message maybe this one can help you:

http://www.linuxmint.com/forum/viewtopic.php?highlight=apt&t=3036

Try in a terminal: sudo dpkg --configure -a

I can't find /etc/apt/sources.list - where do I go for that?

By taking Windows like model, /etc and /apt are folders such as for example “Program Filesâ€￾, and sources.list is a file.

In a terminal type: sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
type your password and then seek the line where is the Bianca repository and add the line:

Code: Select all

deb http://www.linuxmint.com/repository cassandra/

Save and exit.