Joyce asks:
I want to install Robolinux on my current XP system and import my established XP settings into the virtual machine without overwriting my XP system. Can it be done and how?
Yes, Joyce, this can be done. However, I always recommend a fresh, clean installation of any operating system, even inside a virtual machine. Will cost you 2-3 hours of work, but you will have a much more reliable OS than cloning your C: drive. If you want to take my advice, read this article for a step-by-step guide of how to do it.
If you still want to install Robolinux, however, first make sure that you have a partition with a free space of at least 15-20 Gb on your hard drive.
Next, download Robolinux from here. You may choose between a 32 bit and a 64 bit installation. If you’re not sure what kind of architecture your computer has, choose the 32 bit .iso image.
Also, Robolinux is available in three different flavors or desktop environments: Gnome, Xfce and Lxde. The KDE flavor was meant to be released on 12th of February, but I couldn’t find any download for it. For more information about what a desktop environment means, check this article.
Insert a blank DVD and choose “Burn files to DVD” when the dialog window shows up. Select the downloaded .iso image and burn it to DVD.
When the process is done, restart your computer and choose to boot from DVD. You may then run a Live session directly from DVD or go ahead and start the installation. (Note: any settings you might do during the Live session will be lost at reboot).
Choose the language.
Carefully choose the partition where you want to install Robolinux. Be sure is the one that we talked about before. I would recommend splitting it and preserving 1Gb of free space for the swap partition, which will help your computer to run faster. The remaining space will be used as an ext4 partition. The mount point is \.
Go ahead and start the installation. From time to time, you will be asked to give some information like your location and the layout you want for the keyboard.
Once the installation is finished, you will have a dual boot system at your service. Every time you start the computer you may pick the OS to run: Windows or Robolinux.
First thing you have to do in Robolinux is to run the Stealth VM installation software.
Now here comes the catch: while Robolinux is completely free, the cloning tool is not. The developers force you to “donate” $ 19.95 for it (they should have called it “commercial” from the very beginning).
If you wish to buy the app, here you find the donation page. Then you will receive an email with the download link. Click it and download the cloning tool.
Install it.
Now you can do a clone installation of your Windows partition, choosing the right command from the Stealth VM menu.
~ Adrian