Linux for Windows

This concept makes installation much less dangerous: instead of repartitioning your hard drive, you create a giant (500 to 1500 MB) image file as a kind of fake partition, then run Linux as if it were a Windows program. In theory, this should make installation easier; unfortunately, the user has to learn just as much to get this version of Linux going as any other, and support is practically nonexistent in comparison with others like Red Hat. What do you do when installation stops dead in a fit of kernel panic? Good luck figuring it out, either from the skimpy docs or the Web.

This product may fill a niche for advanced users who either don't want to partition or need to train Windows users on Linux, but the rest of us should either stick with Windows or get one of the better-supported versions of Linux. --Rob Lightner

Not only did the installation fail initially and the documentation was scant to say the least, after I did finally manage to get it installed (somewhat as my winmodem and HP deskjet printer USB both were not supported), then the Boot Magic program could not find root and so I had to use LILO instead to access both OS. LILO is fine but for novices to Linux (me to a degree) it's not graphical like Boot Magic.

Anyway, I decided this wasn't worth it so I decided to uninstall it and totally screwed everything up. I had to go to a friend's house and use his PC to download AEFdisk to get rid of the Linux partition and restore my PC. Well, I managed to get rid of not only Linux but Windows as well, so needless to say, I had to reinstall everything again.

I then decided to try Linux for Window and couldn't get past install but the install.bat file only supports cd-rom drives D thru H. I turned to email support (which advertises 24 hour turnaround) and received a response 4 1/2 days later. I had already figured out by then how to edit the install.bat file and so tried again but this time got a kernel panic error because linux couldn't mount root.

I've given up with this. I'll just build a new box and install linux only on it.

Unless you're a Unix geek, in which case you won't be using Winblows anyway, don't even bother with this crappy software.

Bad software and worse support!

Save your money!


dont waste your time in aliens   August 2, 2000
use a real linux distribution, in your main pc, whit ext2 partition, and whit all your documents secure, and use your old computer to play with windows. don't play with linux


Lunix-less   May 23, 2000
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I just loved the Linux For Windows packaging! Three easy steps! Well it is not 3 easy steps. Had a problem right from the get go, as the install.bat is coded for CD-ROM drives no higher than H. My drive is M, but the error message I recieved gave no indication of such. And furnished email tech support was no more helpful. Support could have suggested Windows person (me) change drive letter. Thought of that, but for some novice user? There is not enough documentation in the 2 supplied manuals, espically when it comes to figuring out the video card install. After 2 attempted installs, have Linux 4 Windows on my secondary hard drive, somewhat. Still have a video card problem. Think this Linux 4 Windows is an inductory package for users somewhat curious what Linux is all about. Well fine, if you are able to load Linux it would me nice to have something in the way of at least a few sheets of paper. Showing you how to work the darn software. I still want to experience Lunix, so will have to plan on spending more for a ' seperate ' PC box. After a incomplete install, had to retore Windows, and after many hours, happened to notice my hard drive were no longer DOS. What a mess!


dont waste your $   April 7, 2000
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

I have two versions of this program, and boy did it mess up my computer. After the install began, and was finished, there was no rebooting my computer. I had to format my drive and reinstall all of my applications and it just made me hate linux even more. If I do build a linux computer, I'll do it as the only OS on the drive and I'll only use my left over parts from my upgrades of previous systems. In simpleer words if you want to try linux use a spare computer, NOT your main computer.