On Thu, 29 Apr 2021 08:54:06 +0100, SH wrote:

snip

Whilst I've run Linux in a VB VM and container, it all adds to the
complexity and more of a risk of trashing the host OS by mistake than
running say a live DVD/USB or even running it on a USB attached drive
(once installed etc).

Thta has not been my experience. as long as teh test OS is within a VM,
I struggle to see how you can trash the Host OS?

Granted not a particularly common scenario but one that happened.

I built BIL a PC running Ubuntu as a sort of feasibility exercise and
had a Windows VM on there for his accounting app. After using it for
some time, he applied a big windows update, the virtual drive
allocation filled the remaining space on the host OS and it all ground
to a nasty halt. The VM got corrupted (as well) and he never recovered
the data from it.

If you trash within the
VM, thats OK as you can then delete the virtual machine and start again
with a new VM.

Sure.

You do have to turn off Secure Boot setting or Linux won't load within
Hyper-V

And that can then cause an issue for Windows. ;-(

No, I was talking about the Secure boot within the Hyper-v manaager for
when you create the new VM, not the secure boot setting in teh BIOS
which is for the Host OS.

Oh, ok. Never used Hyper-V etc.

snip

Another way is to download & create a LiveDVD/CD and boot off that but
it then is in Read only mode and does not write anything to your
physical disks

Yeah, I suggested that above and is something I have often left with
others (LiveDVD) both for them and me either to play with on their
machines or to use as an emergency repair tool.

Yes, like Hirens Boot CD or Darik's Boot 'n' Nuke!

Well, I have left those with people as well, but even a straight Live
LinuxDVD/USB can be of good use at times.

snip

Cheers, T i m