# <a name="Bochs_IA_32_x86_64_Emulator"> Bochs IA-32/x86-64 Emulator </a>

[Bochs](http://bochs.sf.net) is a very cool emulator, similar to Plex86 and the commercial product [[VmWare]] which virtualizes the PC hardware. However, Bochs does not virtualize, it _emulates_ the IA32 on the instruction level. It's currently the best alternative if you want to take the Hurd for a quick test drive without needing to repartition your hard drive or read complicated installation manuals.

* [Debian package](http://packages.qa.debian.org/bochs)

Note that Bochs is quite slow, so installing GNU inside its virtual machine will probably take you a lot of time. There are several pre-installed bochs images available.

## <a name="Images"> Images </a>

* The Bochs project hosts a [preinstalled GNU image](http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=12580). It has network, Xfree86 and the console server installed and configured (X has some problems though). If you want to try it out, please read the [[BochsFAQ]] for setting up a GNU guest first.
* [Another 2GB image](http://www.gnuhurd.org/) distributed in rar format without apologies.
* Bee has a [bochs version](http://bee.es.gnu.org/) of it's distribution

## <a name="Articles"> Articles </a>

* [Bruno Bonfils wrote an article.](http://www.asyd.net/docs/hurd/bochs-hurd.html)
* [Julien PUYDT wrote another article on setting up Hurd in Bochs.](http://lists.debian.org/debian-hurd/2003/debian-hurd-200303/msg00065.html)
  * [Lucas Nussbaum added some details.](http://lists.debian.org/debian-hurd/2004/debian-hurd-200401/msg00078.html)
* [Marcus Brinkmann shares his experience in running GNU/Hurd on Bochs](http://lists.debian.org/debian-hurd/2004/debian-hurd-200402/msg00057.html). He [mentions qemu](http://lists.debian.org/debian-hurd/2004/debian-hurd-200402/msg00059.html) too, and [PUYDT Julien suggests using /dev/loop0.](http://lists.debian.org/debian-hurd/2004/debian-hurd-200402/msg00064.html)