Cygiwn question 1

[samsonx]

I want to emulate some Linux functionality in Windows XP. I've been told Cygwin will enable me to do so. I have ordered an installation CD, as I have dial-up and cannot be bothered downloading all the necessary files from the setup.

I have a couple of questions:

1. Will it interfere with the original windows settings?
2. I have been told that I can also have the KDE desktop. Will I be able to switch between the Windows and KDE desktop?
3. Is is known to affect the system stability?
4. Will it interfere with any applications? The main apps I have running is Sygate Personal Firewall Pro 5.1 & AVG antivirus. My machine is mainly for C#, C++ and VB developent with VisualStudio.NET
5. Will I be able to mount a Linux partition (I have three from different distributions)

The documentation I have found isn't that great, and a little vague and sketchy. Although I am reasonably proficient with Linux, I really don't want to screw up my OS (even though I have it all backup up).

Thanks for the help.

 

[AP81]

1. No
2. It's not so much switch, but run KDE over windows. KDE is started whilst running windows. Thus, it is very slow even on high end P4. Unlsess you have a dual CPU or equivalent, you will notice a huge resource utlisation whilst running KDE.
3. No, not to my knowledge. I haven't seen any problems
4. Yes and no. There are some applications known to cause problems, but the ones you have listed should be okay.
5. You should be able to.

 

[samsonx]

Thanks AP81. Just the clarification I needed.