Run Linux on windows with andLinux (original download)

Introduction

andLinux is a complete Ubuntu Linux system running seamlessly in Windows 2000 based systems (2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7; 32-bit versions only). This project was started for Dynamism for the GP2X community, but its userbase far exceeds its original design. andLinux is free and will remain so, but donations are greatly needed.

andLinux uses coLinux as its core which is confusing for many people. coLinux is a port of the Linux kernel to Windows. Although this technology is a bit like running Linux in a virtual machine, coLinux differs itself by being more of a merger of Windows and the Linux kernel and not an emulated PC, making it more efficient. Xming is used as X server andPulseAudio as sound server.

andLinux is not just for development and runs almost all Linux applications without modification.

Screenshot (click to enlarge)

To start Linux applications, you may either use the XFCE Panel:

The XFCE Panel

Or, you may choose to use the andLinux Launcher, which ships with andLinux since Beta 1. It consists of:

• quicklaunch icons (e.g. for the file manager or the terminal)
• a start menu in the system tray (next to the clock) which can be adapted to your own needs
• so-called Explorer shell extensions, i.e. context menu item, with which you can open a folder in the file manager / terminal or open a file with the text editor
• file type associations at your choice (e.g. for KOffice files, .tex / .dvi / .ps / .pdf files)
• andCmd.exe to run linux commands from Windows scripts

Quicklaunch icons (XFCE version) Quicklaunch icons (KDE version) Start menu (XFCE version)	Start menu (KDE version)
Open a folder with Konqueror or Konsole
Open a file with Kate Requirements OS: Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista / 7 (currently only the 32-bit versions are supported) Memory: at least 128 MB (192 MB or more is recommended) Note that you should have enough memory left for Windows (at least 128 MB for Windows 2000 / XP / 2003; at least 512 MB for Windows Vista / 7)! Hard disk space: 2.5 GB (XFCE version) / 4.5 GB (KDE version) Note that you need an NTFS file system (which is default since Windows 2000) because you can't create files larger than 2 GB on FAT(32) file systems! A good internet connection (to be able to install further applications via apt-get / Synaptic) Some basic Linux skills to proceed once andLinux is installed What you will get You will get: a fully functional Linux system, however without the usual desktop (you've already got one from Windows) a second panel (e.g. at the top of your Windows desktop) or a second start menu (in the system tray next to the clock), from which you can start Linux applications Linux applications and Windows applications can be used simultaneously and you can cut and paste text between them apt / Synaptic to install further applications You will NOT get: another desktop the bench of applications that usually ship with Linux distributions (you have to fetch whatever you want) trouble with further drivers ;-) Limitations Security warning: It is recommended to use andLinux only on single-user-PCs or in a trustworthy environment because the communication with the X-Server and the launcher is not secured, i.e., every user who can login to Windows can access andLinux. andLinux is not suitable for high-performance realtime graphics such as required by most 3D games. Although some users managed to get openGL applications to work on recent hardware, you will most probably experience problems doing so. If you have a multi-core CPU, you will only be able to use one of these cores for andLinux (due to technological limitations, as all andLinux processes are encapsulated in one Windows process).

Download Latest Stable

andLinux Beta 2 (final)

KDE version, 537 MB:

• SourceForge.net [http download]
• md5: 3bbe8a0ae67e189ef9ff787d6d184b64
• sha1: 5f411810553d4472cf6f1c36f75bd732c90f84d7

minimal / XFCE version, 200 MB:

• SourceForge.net [http download]
• md5: 4ec330df10af572274ec3b83d45d0ea7
• sha1: ca21f1c917d44574ec13525da457bf6bf4d9405e

Note: You need to run the installer with administrator privileges.

Security warning: It is recommended to use andLinux only on single-user-PCs or in a trustworthy environment because the communication with the X-Server and the launcher is not secured, i.e., every user who can login to Windows can access andLinux.

Previous Versions

andLinux Beta 2 rc1

KDE version, 523 MB:

• SourceForge.net [http download]
• md5: 4e203be96fc358c1fa53a3bf68009adc
• sha1: 0133e71b967b6456b13e15499def3c35f0d7bbdb

minimal / XFCE version, 171 MB:

• SourceForge.net [http]
• md5: 6d4689219f4238b3298303f5c9e5e621
• sha1: 0de10cd7ef3a940daa445609e95dd0644bfc9d00

andLinux Beta 1 (final)

KDE version, 653 MB:

• SourceForge.net [http download]
• md5: 46e5298f27c29595fc145514931fdb4b
• sha1: 53654bb6937e59fc4a7e6a62ea76052dc753bd27

minimal / XFCE version, 131 MB:

• SourceForge.net [http download]
• md5: 9b426a718570ef6b8755c830f8a1b25e
• sha1: 0a635956d265fa4fae505a0e6d41a3644b225f62

andLinux Beta 1 rc6

KDE version, 665 MB:

• SourceForge.net [http download]
• md5: 25bdf8ee6b60866b29cacc9b2419906b
• sha1: 666c0d6a20ea4e298c8408721d5df388ca70c68c

minimal / XFCE version, 143 MB:

• SourceForge.net [http download]
• md5: 98761730a81097fe3e5084b6359a6693
• sha1: db229d4e1f2de3dd171e0868e1399cc70efee53c

andLinux PreBeta

minimal / XFCE version, 190 MB:

• TU Dresden, Germany [ftp download]
• md5: b56c25da5dcae10bcef6a88bcf97c843
• sha1: 87a33674aa1bd88451277c17406de60f524f9dc7

andLinux POC v2.1

minimal / XFCE version, 320 MB:

• TU Dresden, Germany [ftp download]

Licensing / Copying

This software is covered under the GPL. Use this software at your own risk! No fault will be taken by andLinux or anyone involved with andLinux.

You may not sell andLinux, but are welcome to distribute it freely. This is not a GPL violation as the andLinux name is owned by David Solomon.

You may not use the andLinux name without written permission from David Solomon.

Installation

Since andLinux Beta 1, the Windows Installer will configure andLinux automatically. Most questions you'll be asked are self-explanatory, so only the most important things are mentioned here. You have the option to run andLinux in a command window or as a NT service in the background; in case you choose the command window option, you'll have to start it via a shortcut; in case you choose the NT service option, you can start the service manually via the Windows control panel, or you can have it automatically started together with Windows which is the most convenient option.

Startup options in the KDE version of andLinux

In the minimalistic / XFCE version of andLinux, you can choose between the XFCE Panel and the andLinux Launcher to start your applications, in case you start andLinux manually; in case you have andLinux automatically started, you can only use the andLinux Launcher.

Startup options in the minimalistic / XFCE version of andLinux

There are two ways how to access the files on Windows using andLinux: the coLinux File System (CoFS) and Windows file shares (Samba). The configuration of CoFS is self-explanatory. Setting up Samba is a bit more difficult, but it's also working with special characters in file names, so you may want to choose this option.

Options to access your files on Windows

In case you choose Samba, you'll have to create a shared folder (or drive) in Windows and then enter the name of the file share (not the name of the folder or drive) as well as your Windows username and password. Pay attention not to use spaces or special characters in the name of the share, and that you add write permissions to the file share(permissions are read-only by default)

Configuring Samba

Finally, you may receive a Continue Anyway prompt because the WinTap driver isn't Microsoft certified. You'll need to click this.

Starting

To start andLinux (in case you didn't choose automatic startup during the setup), use the "Start andLinux" shortcut from the start menu (or desktop or quicklaunch icons if created during setup). In case you chose to run andLinux in a command window, andLinux will run in a minimized window labeled "andServer (coLinux)"; do not close this window! If you chose to run andLinux automatically as a NT service, you'll find srvstart.bat in the installation folder -- just in case you may need to restart it manually.

Once andLinux is completely running, you may start applications using the XFCE Panel resp. the andLinux Launcher. Note that the first startup of an application may take some time because some applications perform configuration tasks at the first startup.

Posted in: linux os,microsoft windows