linuxmce-feisty fawn - aptget-setup - vmware/virtualbox - firmware upgrade

[needlern32724]

I'll try to be as succinct as possible.

10 year linux desktop user, last 6 with gentoo for daily use on a laptop. Have built a multimedia box (mmb) with linuxmce/feisty fawn on it. I'm totally ignorant about debian and its derivatives.

I need to upgrade my lg gsa-4163b cd/dvdram burner's firmware, as it won't burn x16 speed dvd's. I only have my wife's m$ windows laptop. No other m$ products available.

I want to install a virtual machine on the mmb so that I can install a licensed copy of w2k I own. Then I can upgrade ( I hope) my dvd.

I started reading the apt-get tip page on this site to figure out how to set the mirror sites for packages, as I tried simply "sudo apt-get install virtualbox" and the same command with vmware and got "E: Couldln't find package vmware (same with virtualbox)".

Aptget-install is no longer available. Is there some other program being used to simply setup the sources.list?

I'm inclined to build the vm from source, but am afraid the system won't be able to find it.

Suggestions warmly welcomed.

Bill

[Fintan]

Re: linuxmce-feisty fawn - aptget-setup - vmware/virtualbox - firmware upgrade

There is a very simple solution. At least sort of
have a look at this:
http://www.howtoforge.com/vmware_con..._windows_linux

if you can copy the resulting vm image from your wifes Laptop to a dvd and the put it on to your machine then all you have to do is install the newest vmware player:
http://www.vmware.com/download/player/

I do not recommend using the repos for this.

I hope I am pointing you in the right direction

although I am not sure what a virtual machine will do for you because afaik you will still need a linux driver for that burner for it to run under linux.

I may be wrong but

[dibl]

Re: linuxmce-feisty fawn - aptget-setup - vmware/virtualbox - firmware upgrade

I think Fintan is right on this, Bill.

The OS that runs in a virtual machine is not directly "in touch" with the underlying hardware, only with the underlying OS. I don't think the Windows running in a VM is going to be able to address the flash memory in your optical drive, even though it can play CDs that are mounted there.

Probably a more fruitful approach to doing what you want to do is to find a hard drive that you can install Windows on and connect that into your computer temporarily to use for flashing the optical drive. Any old IDE drive should work -- I've got an old 8GB IDE drive that I use for such adventures.

[MoonRise]

Re: linuxmce-feisty fawn - aptget-setup - vmware/virtualbox - firmware upgrade

I do run VirtualBox, and Dibl is correct. Not all hardware is visible to that Virtual Device. There are built in "hooks" to tie into what the underlying OS uses but are IDed as such in the Virtual Machine. VirtualBox, the open source version, does not have the ability to use USB ports. Hope this helps!

[needlern32724]

Re: linuxmce-feisty fawn - aptget-setup - vmware/virtualbox - firmware upgrade

Thanks to Fintan, dibl and MoonRise for the quick replies and valued input. I had not thought about the vm not being able to actually "touch" the hardware.

@Fintan - thanks for the howtoforge link. I'll look at that for just having another benefit on the mmb.

@dibl - your idea about the spare hd is a good one. Will pursue that avenue.

@MoonRise - your input on VirtualBox is appreciated and helpful.

I'd still like to figure out the best way to try to properly setup the apt-get files or is the stock setup all I really need?

Thanks again,
Bill

[dibl]

Re: linuxmce-feisty fawn - aptget-setup - vmware/virtualbox - firmware upgrade

I'd still like to figure out the best way to try to properly setup the apt-get files or is the stock setup all I really need?

I've never heard of any "setup" required for the package manager, except to change repositories if that is needed. In Adept Manger (or Synaptic), there is a menu to check which repositories are enabled. The most common reasons to change them from the default configuration are:

1. To click the "Third Parties" tab and remove the CD ROM from the repository list, so it doesn't bother you to insert the CD every time you want to add a package.

2. To add the Medibuntu repo in order to get some non-free package.

[needlern32724]

Re: linuxmce-feisty fawn - aptget-setup - vmware/virtualbox - firmware upgrade

[quote]I've never heard of any "setup" required for the package manager, except to change repositories if that is needed. In Adept Manger (or Synaptic), there is a menu to check which repositories are enabled. The most common reasons to change them from the default configuration are:

Thanks for mentioning the AdeptManager, I just installed it. I did want to add some repositories, to include the Medibuntu repo.

Thanks,
Bill

[muzicman0]

Re: linuxmce-feisty fawn - aptget-setup - vmware/virtualbox - firmware upgrade

If you want to try out virtualbox, you can download the latest binary version from their website (http://virtualbox.org) and install it by double clicking on the '.deb' file...I could be wrong, but I don't think it is in the repositories...not sure about any of the vmware options, every time I try them, they seem a lot slower than virtualbox, so I always end up back to VB.
mm0

[Fintan]

Re: linuxmce-feisty fawn - aptget-setup - vmware/virtualbox - firmware upgrade

not sure about any of the vmware options, every time I try them, they seem a lot slower than virtualbox, so I always end up back to VB.

Just a note: that is true for vmware server and ws. That is where vmware player comes in. It is meant to play. My virtual xp is just as fast and much more stable than my HD installed version ever was.

@needle, glad to be of help.