What Linux type is PCLinuxOS for VMWare installation

[concept303]

Hello all,

new to the group and very novice in the world of Linux. This is my first post!
I would like your help in getting PCLOS installed in a Virtual Machine on VMWare 9.0.

After researching linux distros and trying a few of them (Mint, Ubuntu12.04, Xubuntu12.04), I decided to try PCLinuxOS because from what I read it appears to be much closer to what I 've been searching for.

When trying to setup the VM configuration in VMWare, it asks me for the version of Linux I plan to install.
There are several choices in there such as "Ubuntu12.04", "Mandriva", "Red Hat", "Other Linux  2.6.x Kernel", etc.
All of the previous distros that I installed were Ubunt derivatives so "UbuntuLinux" was the obvious choice of Linux type before.

But now, which one should I choose before mounting the PCLOS iso? I have downloaded the KDE and the Fullmonty.

Many thanks for your help, I appreciate it
Concept303

[Just17]

I would suggest either 'Mandriva' or 'other'.

I have not used VMware in recent years now using VBox in its place.

[concept303]

Thank you for the reply.
I used Mandrive as the linux type and it seems to install ok.
VMWare tools also installed successfully
Very good install process, hope it becomes a viable alternative to the forthcoming Windows 8 Metro crap.

First Impressions
Pros
Very well organized desktop
Fast
Trouble free access to my windows network

Cons
No sound or wobbly windows yet. Some of the other distros like Mint, had no problem in that aspect.

I did not use "Linux Kernel 2.6" because I noticed that PCLOS KDE uses Kernel 3.2.18-pclos2.bfs as reported in its Features section.
Although I do not understand kernels and what they are very well yet, I think this seems like an incompatibility with that specific VMWare choice.

Cheers!
Concept303

[Just17]

The 'wobbly windows' are dependent on two things, mainly.

1.  Ensure you are using the best video driver by going into PCC Control Centre (Configure your COMPUTER) - Hardware - Configure Video Card

2. Turn on Kwin effects in KDE Control Centre (Configure your DESKTOP) - Desktop Effects - Enable desktop effects

With those correctly set you can use the All Effects tab to enable and adjust the effects.

Regarding your lack of sound .......  check the levels in Kmix ....  it is possible that some might be set low.

[concept303]

No go...when I go to "Enable desktop effects" it gives me a message that KWin manager could not activate several effects, wobbly being one of them.
No luck on the sound either.

Nevertheless, thank you very much for the suggestions. I appreciate it.

Concept303

[Just17]

No go...when I go to "Enable desktop effects" it gives me a message that KWin manager could not activate several effects, wobbly being one of them.
No luck on the sound either.

Nevertheless, thank you very much for the suggestions. I appreciate it.

Concept303

You will get that message from Kwin if you have the incorrect driver ........  you made no mention of first selecting the correct driver as I posted, so I am led to believe you did not do so.

Of course if the VM does not support 3D ............

[Archie]

Just out of curiosity, why don't you try running PCLinuxOS LiveCD. You don't have to install it and you will be in a much better position to evaluate it because it should be able to detect your hardware in real-time instead of using the VM's own hardware drivers.

The only caveat is you won't be able to store any changes you make, and you won't be able to run the host OS as you could on a virtual environment. But on the Live session, you are as close to running the OS as you would as if it was installed. Just make sure you have enough RAM for it. If you can run guests on a virtual environment, I reckon you would have enough RAM.

[concept303]

@just17: Used both your steps but it didnt work. I am running it in vmware at the moment because I have to. Thanks, though!

@Archie: Even though I need it virtualized, doing a live install on the real hardware is a good idea to get a feeling of its capabilities. Thanks, I will try this.

Overall I have to say that it is weird that it does not run the effects because VMWare 9.0 announced 3D support for linux.
Despite this announcement, the issue with the effects not working is not specific (in my case) to pclos but it happens to other distros that use KDE.
There was only one that I was successful with the effect. I think it was Mint but after having tried about 6-7 different distributions I have lost track.

Fact remains I like PCLOS. I also like Mint. These two are the winners for me. I dont like unity at all. Mageia looked good, but caused me more problems than the other distributions.
I also have to admit that there is something attractive in the simplicity of xfce desktop manager, although coming from a windows world I feel a bit more at ease with kde for now.

Thanks to all for contributing,
Concept303

[GermanTux]

You're not going to be able to use desktop effects under vmware.  Their video driver is very generic.  This is not a surprise given that VMWare targets business users.  You can still try it, but prepare for freezing, and lots of it.