On 05/03/06, Steve Graegert wrote:

No, not by default. There used to exist a patched Windows XP version specifically to be run by Xen. Due to licensing issues, that version cannot be distributed. To boot Windows from within Xen, you will have to set up bootstrapping the kernel manually (provide a kernel image, path to drivers, etc.). It's not impossible but requires strong knowledge of the Windows architecture and is eventually illegal I wonder if it would still be illegal even if one had a proper, genuine licensed copy of Win XP?

-- ============================================== I am only human, please forgive me if I make a mistake it is not deliberate. ============================================== Xmas may be over but, PLEASE DON'T drink and drive you'll make it to the next one that way. Kevan Farmer Linux user #373362 Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire WS6 7HR

On Sunday 05 March 2006 14:05, Steve Graegert wrote:

On 3/5/06, Kevanf1 wrote:

...

On 05/03/06, Steve Graegert wrote:

...

No, not by default. There used to exist a patched Windows XP version specifically to be run by Xen. Due to licensing issues, that version cannot be distributed. To boot Windows from within Xen, you will have to set up bootstrapping the kernel manually (provide a kernel image, path to drivers, etc.). It's not impossible but requires strong knowledge of the Windows architecture and is eventually illegal

I wonder if it would still be illegal even if one had a proper, genuine licensed copy of Win XP?

I really don't know. The "Windows XP in Xen" thing I read about a couple of months ago was an experimental project at a university I don't recall the name of and they asked the same question: Is it possible to run Windows XP in a Xen domain? The answer was: technically yes, practically no. They not only needed to setup the Windows environment manually (which turned out to be extremely awkward), but also needed to patch the kernel, which is illegal, since the EULA prohibits the manipulation of the underlying code. They got it running but due to licensing issues they were not allowed share the results (the binaries and setup instructions) with the community.

\Steve

Actually the correct answer to this question is: Eventually... with a hardware upgrade. AMD and Intel are releasing tech in the chips which facilitates the concept of a hypervisor, making it much easier for the virtualisation of an OS without the need to modify the OS. Of course this will require the 3.x release of Xen, and a new CPU (probably entailing a new motherboard). Once you've got that little lot in place, you'll be able to run as many OS's as your system can handle (Win XP, Linux, BSD, Solaris, etc.) As to the legality, provided no large monopoly companies find a way to technically sabotage the ability, then you should have no problem. I believe the EULA mentions running a single instance on a single machine. Nothing is mentioned about virtualisation, though I wouldn't be surprised if the lawyers are trying to come up with some way of making you agree not to run Vista on top of an FLOSS OS... But thats a whole other enchilada. -- Steve Boddy