run multiple operating system at once

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Theoretically possible to run two operating systems simultaneously?

Is it possible to run multiple operating systems at once, without using virtual machines like virtualbox, and without using dual boot? I want to be able to switch between linux and windows without having to reboot, and virtual machines don't use the system resources directly.

Also, I want this to run on a 64-bit machine.

@cnicutar I've found this before, and this is almost exactly what I want. It just has one problem: it's only 32-bit, and I want 64-bit. — Tiddo, Jun 07 '11 at 19:48

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:34

2

Given the description you've provided, without any indication of hardware, and if I could truly answer in the number of characters I wanted without StackOverflow stopping me:

No.

answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:34

CassOnMars

121

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:33

1

Use multiple computers, one for each operating system you need to run, and a KVM switch. Done

answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:33

Rodrigo

151

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:29

0

We, at our firm, have a Remote Desktop Server, which users log into, and run batch jobs in. It gives you direct use of system resources with the possibility of switching between the two, instantaneously. Hope this helps.

answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:29

Anirudh Ramanathan

753

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:34

Not exactly what you're looking for probably, but I install cygwin and place its bin directory in the system path of my windows box. A lot of the linux commands work alongside with windows, but some need me to login to the bash shell (bash --login -i) from my windows prompt and then cd - to move to the previous directory

The command prompt here shell extension is also useful

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:45

I know you are looking to avoid virtualization, so this is technically off-topic. It is the best solution I have found, however.

Install favorite flavor of Linux on hardware
Install favorite flavor of Windows in VirtualBox
Install Guest Extensions in Windows
Enable Seemless Mode

The result gives you two task bars (one for each operating system) and all windows appear with native decorations (i.e. blue title bars for XP). Screenshot and more information available here.

I've used VirtualBox before and also VMWare Player, but these programs really limit's the use of your gpu for the guest os. — Tiddo, Jun 07 '11 at 19:55

score -2 · Answer 6 · answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:32

-2

All you need is:

One hard drive for each OS
Connect them to the motherboard
Use your computer's BIOS to select the drive to boot
(e.g. A: drive for Windows and B: drive for Linux)

answered Jun 07 '11 at 19:32

Francis Lau

13

The OP wants a solution that does not involve dual-booting. – Alex Hirzel Jun 07 '11 at 19:43

run multiple operating system at once

6 Answers6