Things You Will Need
  1. VMware Workstation - Get an *0-day trial with full features from here [url]http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/[/url]
  2. An ISO (.iso) of Ubuntu - Get it from here [url]http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download[/url]
  3. A decent computer with admin privleges - I recommend at least * GB RAM

A quick Q&A

*. What is VMware Workstation and why would I want it?

VMware Workstation is a program that allows you to run * or more virtual machines within your physical machine. No partitions or changes to your HD are made, other than a file being created to hold the contents of your virtual machine. This saves space because you won't need another computer or CDs to have your ISO files on. It saves ***** because you won't have to buy another computer. It's great for testers, developers, and anyone else who would want another operating system.

2. What's the disadvantage?

The only disadvantage is that your system resources will be divided between the virtual machine (known as the 'guest') and your real physical machine (known as the 'host'). Your guest may run a little slower than it would if it were on a real physical machine. But if you have a good enough machine with enough RAM, you shouldn't notice any such problems.

*. How do I use this?

Read my following tutorial

Assuming you have everything in the list above, let's get started. First, run the VMware Workstation installer. Have your trial product serial ready to eneter. The installation is straightforward, but when you get to this screen:

[img]http://i**.tinypic.com/kyslx.png[/img]

Be sure to select 'Typical'.

After installing, you may get this:

[img]http://i*4.tinypic.com/mt*y*.png[/img]

Say 'No' and continue. Start VMware Workstation. This is what the screen looks like:

[img]http://i**.tinypic.com/2*fpg*4.png[/img]

Click on 'New Virtual Machine'. This box should appear:

[img]http://i*7.tinypic.com/2ds*ds4.png[/img]

Click Next. This appears:

[img]http://i*6.tinypic.com/*zx5nkk.png[/img]

Choose Typical and press Next. This appears:

[img]http://i*8.tinypic.com/*4fi8*k.png[/img]

Be sure to choose 'Linux' and choose 'Ubuntu' from the list. Press Next. This appears:

[img]http://i*6.tinypic.com/*24zbl0.png[/img]

Choose the amount of HD space you want to allocate to your VM file. I chose 20 GB. Press Next. Your installation should now be completed! Look at the screen now.

[img]http://i*6.tinypic.com/25rmuxd.png[/img]

Right now, Ubuntu isn't installed yet. Your VM is pretty much an empty HD. Double click on the CD-ROM choice under Devices on the screen. This screen should come up:

[img]http://i*7.tinypic.com/26078zo.png[/img]

Click on 'Use ISO Image' and click Browse. Find your Ubuntu .iso and set it as the designated ISO image. Press OK.

Now you should be back to the main screen. Click 'Start This Virtual Machine' (next to the green arrow). The machine should start up. You'll get a screen like this (sorry for my horrible Paint skills):

[img]http://i*4.tinypic.com/ip*ls6.png[/img]

When you click inside of the Virtual Machine area, your mouse will be 'in' the virtual machine. If you want to click anywhere outside of the machine (i.e. on your real machine) you have to press Ctrl + Alt to 'release' your cursor. Click on the 'Try Ubuntu Without Any Change To Your Computer'. Let Ubuntu boot up. You should get this screen:

[img]http://i*5.tinypic.com/w6xzsn.png[/img]

Click on the installer. Let it install to your virtual HD. This is a straightforward process. After the installation, you should shut down your virtual machine. When you get back to the main VMware Workstation screen, double click the CD-ROM choice under the Devices heading. Click on 'Use Physical Drive' so your VM won't boot from your disc, and instead will boot from your now-installed Ubuntu. Start your virtual machine again.

Presto! You have now installed Ubuntu on a Virtual Machine! Remember, the only change to your HD is the creation of a file to hold your VM. It is completely saf

Thanks for reading, and I hope you learned something
~Moonbat