Creeping into the world of Linux

rmg1

Hi all

I've currently got Windows 7 on my machine and I'm thinking about getting one of the Linuz flavours.

Can someone give me a nice easy starter pack for Linux?
Also, how difficult is it to make my machine dual boot as I'd like both options on there depending on what I feel like doing?

fwor

If you're not short of bandwidth, I'd recommend that you download several and run each for a while as LiveCDs to see which you like the look and feel of. I'd look at Mint and one of the Ubuntus - though I confess I don't like the latest release's new desktop (Ubiquity?), so I simply use the standard Gnome-based desktop instead.

Dual-boot is easy - both Mint and any flavour of Ubuntu should install the bootloader and find and add existing Windows installations automatically.

C_Mababejive

My best advice would be to cut along to the Ubuntu website...

I have used Ubuntu for several years and wouldnt even consider going back to windows now.

Bear in mind that if you have a laptop,especially a fairly new one,there may be some compatibility issues.

The best thing you could do is get a bootable disc and run linux off that for a while,have a play around and see how you feel. It will also give you a chance to check compatibility.

For info i have ubuntu installed on this toshiba A210 lappy and it dual boots with windows vista. I have not booted the Vista for some considerable time !

debitcardmayhem

+1 for ubuntu +1 for any other versions (too many to mention) I run it on my netbook(N140) and lappy (novatech) Dual boot is easy to set up (it does it for you) but try the "Live" versions first or if you want try alongside Windows dowload a copy of Virtual Box and set it/them to run inside windows (use the live iso from disk before burning to CD/USB). If you envisage using Windows and Linux dual boot reserve a small partition as a "shared fat32/ntfs" drive so that you can share bits ie If i am on Linux and I dowload something I always put it on the shared drive so that I don't have to boot into windows to download stuff specifically for that and vice versa.

rmg1

Thanks all, think I'll have a look at that this weekend.

Just one more question, if I decide I want to stick with Windows and get rid of the dual boot, how easy is that?

C_Mababejive

rmg1 wrote: »

Thanks all, think I'll have a look at that this weekend.

Just one more question, if I decide I want to stick with Windows and get rid of the dual boot, how easy is that?

It isnt a problem....

I think you should download the LIVE CD and burn it in the required format.

This will allow you to put that CD in the drive,reboot the computer and run the linux IS off the CD without any interference with your PC or windows setup. Nothing gets installed. To stop using it,simply shut it down,remove the CD and boot again and windows appears as normal.

If you do go for the big install as a dual boot,once complete,when you reboot and then at every startup,you will be presented with a menu to either boot into linux or windows..your choice and you can set the default. Really,once its installed,there probably isnt much point in de-installing it.

fermi

Might be useful?

http://www.webupd8.org/2011/09/dual-booting-guide-pdf-windows-and.html

tweeter

Linux Manual
Mike Saunders
Includes Ubuntu live cd.

These people also do car repair manuals.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Linux+Manual+by+Mike+Saunders&x=16&y=17

SteveJH200

Also take a look at Joli 1.2. Has anybody else tried it? I think it's great and especially for older PC's - got it on an 8 year old Dell at the moment and the thing just flies!! You can download all the free operating systems here http://distrowatch.com/

Hammyman

Try using Ubuntu. Install it through Windows with Wubi. When you start up your computer it'll bring up a menu asking if you want to boot Windows or Ubuntu. When you want to uninstall it, just boot into Windows, go to Programs, select it and click Remove.

leemoss

I'd suggest as others have Ubuntu as its generally the easiest to use, if you're brave you could try installing my favorite distro Arch linux however the 'beginners' guide is enough to scare most people away.