Ok, I know…. I better run linux directly and actually run Vista or XP in virtual machines…
but for the moment it’s just the other way. I run XP and Ubuntu on Virtual PC in Vista.
One of the problems you might encounter with intalling Ubuntu is that the graphis is totally screwed up when you boot up. The problem is the bit depth that is too high for virtual PC to use. You simply need to follow the following steps and you will get going with you install.
- Create a new Virtual Machine
- Set the ISO of ubuntu as the Image for the CD drive
- Press F6 at the boot prompt and append vga=771 before pressing enter.
- Wait for ubuntu to boot, then press CTRL+ALT+F1 to access a root terminal
- Type:
sudo sed -e ‘s/DefaultDepth.*24/DefaultDepth 16/g’ -i /etc/X11/xorg.conf - Press CTRL+ALT+F7, then CTRL+ALT+Backspace to reload the GUI.
- If you are prompted for logon, wait for the logon windows to timeout and automatically boot into the “ubuntu” user.
That’s it… you’re done…
I do have to agree it could be made easier than that. I don’t know if VMware has the same problems since I cannot get VMware to run on Vista for the moment being.
Enjoy your Ubuntu experience 
PS: you can get Virtual PC 2007 for free on Microsoft’s website
One Comment
Thank you very much! This was exactly what I was looking for!