Ubuntu madness

[RobF2]

I decided to try and set up Ubuntu install beside Windows XP32 so I'd have a 64bit OS to run PI within.  Started out with Wubi and a decent chunk of hard drive, no matter how hard I try can't get it talking to the internet propertly (have my router set up without auto DHCP).  PI won't install without an internet connection.

So plan B was running Ubuntu within VirtualBox, which happily sorted out Internet access.  Then when time to install PI couldn't see my Windows files (to get to the Pixinsight install archive) - figured out eventually how to mount shared Windows folders.  BUT, now I can't run Pixinsight (which at least would start to run/install from PixInsight.sh in the bin directory before).  I actually like the idea of running Ubuntu and PI within the virtualbox now I think about it, as I'll probably run most things from XP including image processing, but resort to Linux/PI for mosaic operations from time to time. So handy to hit right-Ctrl key to get back to XP at any time and can put up with a performance penalty.


I probably only know enough to get myself in trouble with virtualisation.  Would appreciate any handy tidbits thrown my way from the gurus please.   

(I know - I should move on from XP32, but all my home/work/astro laptops work happily in that environment and while I'm happy to learn some Linux, far from ready to ditch common XP platform that just WORKS for everything else)

[troypiggo]

G'day Rob. I'm running the opposite,WinXP32 virtual machine inside OSX64. Not sure if you can go the other way and have 64 bit inside 32 bit host.  Could be wrong though.

[RobF2]

Hi Troy

From my limited google education seemed should be possible, but would love any advice.  Have been fiddling again with the Wubi installed internet connection.  Maybe I should just change my LAN side to DHCP.  Grrr.

[RobF2]

Hmm, in hindsight it does sound somewhat miraculous expecting 64bit hosting inside a 32bit operating system.   
Back to my Ubuntu networking education I guess. 

Does PI really need an internet connection?  Can I just dump a licence file somewhere strategic inside Ubuntu?

[David Serrano]

Does PI really need an internet connection?  Can I just dump a licence file somewhere strategic inside Ubuntu?

Try ~/.pixinsight-license. I haven't used PI for a couple of years now (at least), but I seem to recall this was enough.

In any case, setting up networking in Ubuntu isn't difficult. System > Preferences > Network Connections > (your ethernet/wifi connection) > Edit > IPv4 Settings > Method > Manual, and fill-in the usual info.

[georg.viehoever]

Rob,
I believe it is possible to run 64bit ubuntu inside a virtualbox inside XP32, but I doubt that this will resolve your memory issues. Reason: Ultimately, ubuntu and then virtualbox are requesting memory from XP32.  Anyway, let us know what you  find.
Georg

[RobF2]

Finally got out onto the net by unplugging my router and plugging PC straight into modem, and activated PI.  Very familiar and same friendly interface.  Seems to run happily on huge mosaic files. This is under the Wubi install I should add, not virtualised. 

New problem now - updates won't run - PI always starts as "instance 3" and insists it can't update until other instances are closed.  Sigh.  Hopefully the 1.7 distribution will have everything I need anyway.

[RobF2]

The madness is starting to settle!   

I'd heard stories of Linux adventures with hardware.  It seems my particular Netcomm router required a scaling tweak to tcp ipv4 to work happily.  Very weird problems until found that tweak being able to ping devices on the internet but not browse. 

This morning PI starts as a single instance under Ubuntu and has happily updated latest fixes.  Will be interesting to see how Ubuntu holds up in months to come.  Bit like having a new computer.... 8)

[pavel]

UBUNTU 12.04  & PI 1.7(x86 -64)!!!!!!

[georg.viehoever]

Fedora 17 also seems to work fine.
Georg

[RobF2]

I've been glad I set up Linux - and latest V12 update running well.

I get some crashes when loading up Process Icons from startup script sometimes, but a bit of a drag having to navigate to pixinsight.sh to fire it up, but when I'm doing a lot of processing, particularly mosaics definitely worth booting into Ubuntu rather than windows.  Seems to run about 30-40% faster too which is a boon when doing a lot of processing.  Every 6months I put off upgrading leaves more money for astro toys and computers keep getting more powerful.