Windows XP / Linux dual boot??

DCodd

Hi all
Having only had experience of Windows OS I was toying with the idea of loading Linux as a dual boot on my XP laptop, just for curiosity really.

Good idea, a foolish exercise or a pointless excercise? Any thoughts?

I have Googled and the process seems quite straight forward but was wondering if anyone would know of any issues.

Laptop
XP SP3
Cerleron Dual Core
120GB HDD (60GB Free)
3GB RAM

Thanks for any comments (all welcome:))

DCFC79

Yes its a good idea to try out linux/ubuntu,

BlueC

Good idea. Ubuntu, while not to my taste, is great for beginners and has an installer that can be run from Windows which will hopefully make the installation painless. You shouldn't have much difficulties with hardware compatibility especially if it is an oldish laptop, which it sounds like it is.

That said, Windows 7 is actually very good so have you considered upgrading XP to that?

closed

If you just want to try it without installing you can use a live cd instead.

Neil49

I've previously run linux from a usb flash memory stick (I think it was Fedora) on an xp machine. You can set your boot up procedure to read usb ports before the cd rom or hard drive and it will go straight in. The advantage is that it doesn't mess up any settings on your pc if you don't like it.

I had tried to partition the hard drive but the software came up with an error message so I went for the memory stick option as an easy way. It worked well and I liked linux, although at the time it was short on a few options and am now using Windows 7 on a new desktop.

Take a look at www.pendrivelinux.com/

[Deleted User]

Run whichever one you decide to try in a Virtual Machine with a progroam like VMWare Player, VirtualBox or Virtual PC from Microsoft. You'll be able to flick between your XP and the VM as you would any other application, which may be beneficial if you're following instructions on setting it up.

DCodd

Thanks all

I was just reading a previous thread on the same thing but with Win 7, just wanted to make sure that XP wouldn't throw up any different problems.

The liveCD / flash drive seems a good way to test before installation, thanks closed and Neil49 and will look into the VM anewhope.

BlueC, the Kid's laptop has Win7 and, yes it seems to be quite good.

Techie weekend ahead for me! the misus will be pleased...not.

DCodd

Sorry but Just one further question if I may,

XP and partitions, can Ubuntu create partitions on an XP machine as I thought a seperate utility (Acronis) was needed?

closed

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

bat999

DCodd wrote: »

XP and partitions, can Ubuntu create partitions on an XP machine as I thought a seperate utility (Acronis) was needed?

Hi
If you decide to install Ubuntu, there is a section in the procedure to deal with that.
The CD has partitioning software included.
No need to use Acronis (unless you particularly want to).
It will ask you if you want to make a partition (yes) or use the whole drive (no!).

debitcardmayhem

Since you are talking laptop, one thing to be wary of some wireless cards can be a pig (politely) , although my samsung one (realtek) is now available with ubuntu 11.04