[ubuntu-uk] Single Ubuntu instance both bootable AND virtual?

[Samuel Toogood]

Andrew Oakley wrote:
> I have a new PC which has Windows XP. I am already very familiar with
> repartitioning/resizing and dual-booting so that I can have both XP and
> Ubuntu on the same machine.
>  
> Is it possible to have the same one single Ubuntu partition bootable as
> BOTH:
> * Dual boot
> AND
> * A virtual machine within Windows XP? (using the same Ubuntu partition)
>  
> If so, how? Pointers to howtos much appreciated; my google attemps thus
> far reveal only how to do the opposite (dual boot plus same XP
> virtualised within Ubuntu; I want Ubuntu virtualised inside XP)
>  
> I realise this will complicate hardware drivers under Ubuntu, so for the
> first stage I'm not trying to use any fancy 3D graphics nor worry about
> network connectivity.
>  
> Note that this is my third machine, mainly used only for gaming. I only
> boot Ubuntu on my other machines.
>  
It appears from the manual that virtualbox can do this (as an
experimental feature). I've no idea how well it works in practice though.

HTH,

Sam