Perhaps some of you are using Gnu/Linux and you would like to have a windows operative system inside. It’s very useful if you need to install some other programs that it’s impossible to find in Gnu/Linux o.s. or if you don’t want to install windows but you need some of those programs.
For example I use marketiva and NorthFinance brokers to trade in forex through my Ubuntu Gnu/Linux 
Well, this how-to is only about installing vmware player in Ubuntu.
You need:
- Windows CD
- vmware-player installed
First of all you need to install vmware-player. f you use the console you only need to write:
sudo apt-get install vmware-player (type your password and enter)
if you prefer graphics go to System-Administration- Synaptic and use the search function to find vmware player (type vmware and click on search), then you only have to click on vmware-player and Ubuntu will install the rest (I suppose that you know how to install programs in Ubuntu).
Well, now you have installed vmware-player. Now you need to create the virtual machine file.
Go to this link: easyvmx
In this website you only need to choose your settings and it will give you a file to download. If you need more options you can also go here
For example:
General Settings
Virtual Machine name: xp
Virtual Machine operating system: Windows XP Professional Edition
Virtual Machine Memory Size: 320 MB
Virtual Machine Disk Size: Disk Size 4,7 GB (Fits in a DVD)
Now, click on Create Virtual Machine, and download that file in your desktop. Once downloaded, unzip this file to a folder of your choice and then double click on the vmx file to start your virtual machine (for example: xp.vmx).
Now you can insert your Windows XP CD into your CDROM drive, and start installing windows!
Now you have windows installed. So, everytime you need to use your windows s.o. enter into this folder and click on the xp.vmx file. If it gives you some errors go to properties and tell Ubuntu that this file must be open with vmware-player.
Yes, you have installed windows but it goes very slow…
Well, you need to install vmware-tools inside the vmware.
How?, it’s easy: you need the windows.iso file. It comes with vmware-workstation, not with vmware-player. But don’t worry, I have this file for you, you can download it into your vmware folder from here:
http://noponzi.com/windows.iso
Now you only have to edit the xp.vmx file (not xp.vmdk) and change the lines about cdrom to mount windows.iso.
- Make a copy of the original xp.vmx file (for example with the name: xp_bk.vmx)
- Open your original xp.vmx file and change these lines:
ide1:0.present = “true”
ide1:0.fileName = “auto detect”
ide1:0.deviceType = “atapi-cdrom”
with these other lines:
ide1:0.present = “true”
ide1:0.fileName = “windows.iso”
ide1:0.deviceType = “cdrom-image”
Save this file and now open again your vmware with windows (clicking on your xp.vmx file). When you are in your windows o.s. go to open the cdrom and click on setup.exe. Once installed close your windows with vmware.
Now you need to delete the original xp.vmx file and rename the xp_bk.vmx file to the original name xp.vmx
That’s all. Now your windows will go faster and you have a windows operative system in your Ubuntu!
