Can I run my dual-booting Windows from within Kubuntu?

[marek_online]

This is probably a very stupid question, but I figure I'll ask anyway.

What I have:
- A work computer dual-booting Windows XP (used rarely) and Kubuntu Lucid (normal use).

What I would like:
- Access to the Windows XP installation (the occasional use of Internet Explorer, Outlook, a few other specialist programs like PASW) without having to reboot the machine.

I don't have a Windows installation disk. I could probably beg one from IT guys, but would prefer not to.

The likes of VirtualBox and VMplayer requires an entirely new Windows installation in the virtual machine. Is there any means of running the installation already on the machine in some form of virtual mode within Kubuntu?

Like I said, I appreciate that this may be a silly question, to which the answer is simply "no", but I figure I'll check before going through the multi-step and multi-working-day procedure of working up wine-like solutions to each program I'm likely to use or begging a collection of installation disks from the IT guys.

[vinnywright]

Re: Can I run my dual-booting Windows from within Kubuntu?

you could try this

http://www.howtoforge.com/vmware_con..._windows_linux

I haven't......... but sounds like what you want.

VINNY

[marek_online]

Re: Can I run my dual-booting Windows from within Kubuntu?


Awesome. That looks like exactly what I need. I'll post back once I get a chance to give it a go.

[rogerduncan100]

Re: Can I run my dual-booting Windows from within Kubuntu?

I tried it, it works, and it's great!