Can i run Windows and linux on the Same computer, and how? (NO LINUX EXPERIENCE)
 

I'm new to the linux OS, and read about it in PC World and want to give it a try. I have windows 98, and want to have both OS's on my computer (old Pentium 2 model at 333mhz). I'm not sure how much space on the hard drive I will need (will check later) and I really just want to give Linux a shot. Also, how would you go about un-installing Linux (just in case I don't like it)?:newbie:

there's enough info on the net. google and www.tldp.org should give you what you need.

sl mritch.

Well,since you're just sending out feelers I think you shuld try a hand at Knoppix,which requires you to just pop the live cd into the drive and get started.You don't need to install stuff.
If you want a full-fledged install,then try either Mandrake Linux or Suse,which are pretty good for novice users.

You may want to search for dual boot. That is what it is called. You may, since you are new, want to try something easy to install like Mandrake.

A good search engine for Linux info, www.google.com/linux . Works like a charm. :D

Later

:D :D :D :D

Depending on what distro you want, there are live cd's that don't install anything that you can get here: http://iso.linuxquestions.org/search.php?query=live
that is just a small list but here you can get more live cd's to test: http://iso.linuxquestions.org/search...by=distro_name

just click on it to see if it is live or not. The live cd way you cantest to see if you like or not. Then decide to install later. I like Kanotix and Mandrake both of which I have on my machine and can boot into along with windows. Mandrake move live and Kanotix are both live cds. Although with mandrake you have to download more iso's after you try it out. With Kanotix you only need the one cd iso to try out and/or hd install. Make sure you burn the cd as as iso. You can get a free iso burner here: ftp://terabyteunlimited.com/burncdcc.zip
That one works pretty good.
You can get Kanotix here: http://translate.google.com/translat...en-US:official
And Knoppix here: http://www.knoppix.net/get.php
Hope this helps you out.

I personally highly recommend Knoppix. It will run a bit slow from the CD drive, but will be a full linux os. Eventually you will want to install the Linux to your hard disk. At that point, Knoppix would be great to have around. It can be used as an emergence rescue CD in case your linux installation stops booting (happens sometimes when you are playing around and learning.)

Most linux distributions now will have higher system requirements, similar to Windows (smaller, but on the same order of magnitude). If you're working with an older system, then you will need to do some extra research (google.com/linux is your friend) on lightweight distributions and window managers.

MEPIS is also another live CD. Download the iso, record to a CD, and boot from the CD.
The ProMEPIS is still testing, but is pertty stable and has KDE 3.3.

http://www.mepis.org/book/view/1462

how big is your hard drive? it would be nice if you had at least 2 gigs to spare.

there is no 'all-one-powerful' linux distribution since you can make them all look and even act the same. knoppix is a great place to start since it runs off the cd.

learn gnu/linux commands *first*! i wish i had done this from day one - even if all you want is a pretty desktop. command line is extrememly powerful and while it's not as 'quick and easy' as 'drag and drop', it will get you better acquainted with the way your gnu/linux works.

good luck and welcome to the show.

:Pengy:

Knoppix uses KDE, doesn't it? If you're using a Pentium II, chances are you don't have 96 MB of RAM (at minimum) to use a GUI on the Knoppix Live CD.
With limited resources, you'll need something more lean. Text mode is difficult to learn in.

Edit: Unless there's something like fluxbox....

I have 4.59 gigs left, and 64MB of ram. Is that bad?

Also, can you explain all the technical terms i.e. GUI, gnu, etc.
I'm not sure, but i think Knoppix and MEPIS are Linux flavors. Can you tell me more about them, while still answering the original question please? Thanks to all who have responded already!

plz. read this post... : http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...28#post1351228
google is your friend... :)

egag

explaining everything here is a little difficult my young friend.

but, i don't like to leave people in the dark either. so, i will point you to some websites that will help you get familiar with these terms and also it will help give you some insight about the guts of linux and all the different linux distributions out there. so have some patience, and start reading a *lot*!

technical terms (search for terms, like 'gui', or 'kernel'):
webopedia

about the linux kernel (read the whole page):
the linux kernel

some different kinds of linux cd's:
mandrake linux
redhat linux
debian linux
gentoo linux

when you are searching for something that has to do with linux:
google linux search

as always, good luck! your machine sounds fine to install almost any kind of linux. you need to get ready to partition your hard drive (most linux distributions will do this for you) and then, you need to understand that linux is *not* like windows! and most of all, have a lot of patience.

:Pengy:

Amen!!!!

Linux grows on you. It grows real fast when one of those virus waves goes by and all your friends are freaking out because they are infected, even though they have anti-virus software installed. :rolleyes:

Why did this thread go wider than my screen all of a sudden? Do I need to go to 1600 x 1200? I hate scrolling left/right, up/down is fine.

Anyway. . . . . .

Later

:D :D :D :D

knoppix comes with a lot of different window managers and you could also boot into test mode.