Bootable DVD
 

I received the bootable distro "Extreme Gaming- GNU/LinEx with my subscription to Linux magazine and wonder if I dare try to automatically boot the DVD and hope that it recognizes my current operating distro: Suse Linux 10.0 and creates a space for itself. I have loads of disc room, so that's no problem. What I'm hoping for is that I will get an option about apportioning partitions etc. and finally an entry into the GRUB so I can choose what I boot-up.
Any words of wisdom?
Matthew

Hi,

Bootable?? Is it a live cd? does it contain another installable OS? What type of cd is it?

If it's just a livecd, you can go ahead and boot it. If it's installable you will get alot of prompts: questions about partitions, language etc. Just follow the steps carefully, reading the info given.

If you gave us some more info about the cd/dvd it would be easier to help you out ;)

Bootable DVD-Not live
 

According to Wikipedia:
A LiveCD is an operating system (usually containing other software as well) stored on a bootable CD or DVD that can be run directly from the CD or DVD drive, without installing into permanent memory, such as a hard drive. (A LiveCD does not alter your current operating system or files without your doing.) The system returns to its previous OS state when the LiveCD is ejected and the computer is rebooted. It does this by placing the files which typically would be stored on a hard drive, into temporary memory, such as a ram disk. In fact, a hard drive is not needed at all. This however does cut down on the RAM available to applications, reducing performance somewhat. 256 MB - 512 MB of RAM is recommended.

Looking over the DVD carefully, it does not have the word "Live" on it. On the other hand, my Knoppix DVD also from Linux magazine does contain "Live" and I have tried that one out with no adverse consequences. The gaming DVD in question has a full OS on it. Does that help?
Thanks,
Matthew;)

The Linux Magazine issue has help and support about the DVD, pointing to broken links at linex.org/juegalinex. But here is some apparent info about it:
http://www.linex.org/linex2/linex/in...cnico_ing.html

It is a debian based install disc. That means you boot to install, it is NOT a liveDVD. as for details about the install process. Just boot up and find it, if you don't like the options, don't install.


EDIT:
I would point out, every part of that is outdated, 2.6.12 kernel, ancient gimp and old firefox, OpenOffice.org 1.1(current is 2.0, 1.1 is really old).

Anywho...

Thanks,
I tried to follow the links from the magazine but didn't get much from it.
I noted some of the ancient programs in the distro and won't have any use for them and will probably delete them if I keep the distro long enough. I'm mostly interested in seeing if there is a great improvement in the gaming sector. My main concern is that I've never tried to boot a 2nd linux distro on the same disc as my working distro and am afraid that I'll somehow end up with a mulligan stew and lose my data or be unable to boot up correctly.

Matthew:newbie:

You'll be fine, it will recognise any other ditrinution installed on the disk.

The ditro is following the stable debian repository (I think), which is why its a bit outdated - but on the other hand, more stable than some of the otehr ditros. I myself am using Debian sarge, which uses kernel 2.6.8 ...

Thanks for the info. That's reassuring. I thought it probably would do as you say, but not having done if before, I got cold feet. I'll try it next week, after I get back home and let you know how it worked.
Matthew:p

I too have this disk.
The in-zine hype is quite pronounced but lacking detail. (Usually they at least walk you through the install process - but then, it's supposed to use anaconda - to install debian?!)

LinEx (the parent to Extreme Linux) was launched in Extremadura in 2002 - so I'm wondering about it's actual popularity. It has definately been part of a major push to open-source by the local govt (pushing this through schools, teacher training, as well as govt. And this gaming version to attract the hypothetical "normal" user.)

The only drawback is the indiffernce to proprietory licences.