complete noob: want to install linux on windows xp system + few other questions
 

I haven't even installed linux yet, or tried it on live CD. Currently I have a system running windows xp, ultimately I would like a system with dual OS (linux + windows). I plan to gradually become less dependant on windows, until I only need it for gaming purposes, if that. I have little idea as to how possible or impossible this dream of dual OS is, as I have searched google and the linux.com site for information yielding no definitive answer.

Ideally I would buy another hard drive, and install my chosen distro of linux on this, so that I have XP on one and linux on the other HDD. Can this actually be done? Would this form the basis of a workable dual OS setup? Ubuntu, Kubuntu and madriva are distros that look promising, having been recommended by zegeniestudios.net and gotten good press from Distrowatch.com. I can try before I commit and wish to, using live CD. Is this a no risk way of trying them?


Do all distros of linux require compiling of their kernels in order to achieve greatest effectiveness?

I run a PC I have personally built with an MSI K8 Neo4 motherboard(integrated AC97 sound), AMD 64 3000+ CPU, Belkin wireless network card(is used a lot for internet connection via router), GeForce 6600 graphics card, 450 watt PSU.

Thanks, Tyrant.

Yes and this would be preferred. But you could install both on the same drive in different partitions if you can't afford the second drive.Yes, the Live CD will install nothing on your HD.Yes, no, and maybe. If you use a distro like one of the *buntus, most everything that you will need (and more) will already be compiled into the kernel or as modules. Recompiling one of these kernels will reduce the size, but you likely aren't going to notice a performance difference. On the other hand a distro like Gentoo or CLFS (OK CLFS isn't really a distro) requires you to compile your kernel from the word "go". If you forget to compile something into the kernel like sound support, recompiling will probably improve performance.

If you don't want to install it just yet, take a look at vmware player which will allow you to run any OS on any OS, so just download the player and the ubuntu ISO image and read the instructions.
http://www.vmware.com/download/player/

dual boot system
 

Hey... ok so I am new as well and I would totally go with a dual boot system with two hard drives. If you can't afford it right now then wait. In my opinion I would start from scratch, loading off of the 'LIVE CD' might be cool but it just wouldn't be the same as having a seperate HD to load Linux on and learn from scratch.

Through my research I have also found that partitioning your Linux drive is key or at least somewhat smart... more for if you have a server but I would do it even if I weren't serving anything (web, ftp, mail, etc). Unfortunately I can't post links just yet but if you search on partitioning Linux you will find some interesting tips (once I can post them I will be sure to send you the link, if you want it).

That is about where I am, I just setup this cheap'O machine at work and am playing around with the web server and FTP.

Good luck!

Thanks for your help guys, I am gonna just burn the ISO image to a CDRW each time I think though, when trying live CD.

Another question, how is it that people can run, say, battlefield 2 servers on linux machines, but the damn game can't be played on one? (yes I am this ignorant).

I know there are a few non free solutions that let people run mainstream games on linux, is it concievable that any time a free solution might arise, whether it be in the form of a new distro of program?

Also, is the driver support for the hardware that constitutes my PC likely to be sufficent? (I have one gig of RAM, rest of specs are in my 1st post)

Money is not a problem! I can easily buy a new HDD. Don't want to muck about with partitioning the hard disk on my PC, with so much important stuff on it, especially when I'm so inexperianced

BF2 and dual boot.
 

Ah from my knowledge BF2 would be run from a program that in Linux is designed to run Windows programs, kind of like a shell maybe?!?!?!? Not 100% sure but I know they are out there, I will look into it. I also want to host a server with BF2 on it and eventually more importantly BF2142!!!

As for not wanting to do dual HD's I really would push you to do it. Obviously you have SATA and there is no need to set jumpers (your not running the IDE on that board, correct?). So when you boot your computer you would press the key (could be F2, F8, F12, delete, or what ever is required to enter the BIOS setup) from there you set your boot sequence. Example first boot would be CD/DVD rom, second boot would be floppy (if you have), last boot device would be HD. Once boot sequence is set you would save and exit the BIOS setup. Your computer will reboot like normal, however if you have a Windows or Linux OS disc in the CD/DVD rom drive it will prompt you to 'press any key to boot from CD' .... If you don't want to boot from CD just leave it and it will boot into your OS normaly ....... If you get what I am saying so far then I will continue.... Cool?

It doesn't actually run the game, it doesn't need DX or any of the other Windows technological bits. They have standalone server apps compiled for a couple of different OS'.

battlefield can actually run under Cedega apparently (the non free option you're talking about) i only got it as far as installing, then i got a lovely black screen.

That game has much larger issues than a Linux version though, so i wouldn't hold your breath, maybe BF 30000000000002 may have one?

When exactly did I state I didn't want to do duel HDs? I have no recall of doing this.


I have IDE, so need to set jumpers exists, apparantly. It wouldn't be a problem, I have built my PC, in doing so mucked about with the mobo directly a fair bit.

I have a 40Gb seagate HD.

I get what your saying about reordering the boot sequence via the bios, but it would seem you can't really continue, owing to the fact I have IDE on the board.


I don't really see why running IDE prevents me from reordering the boot sequence and booting from a live CD though........

No, it doesn't prevent you from doing the dual HD's. I didn't mean to say you wouldn't do dual boot I just got the impression that you were going to do the ISO/virtual way.

About the IDE, I was just curious if you were SATA or IDE because if your IDE then you have to set your first drive to master and the second as slave or cable select. I would make the master drive the Windows OS, which is what you already have. So once you put the second drive in you can use it's space for Linux OS.

Once you have put the second drive in you would use the boot sequence and boot from the Linux OS disc, then you would follow the instructions to install on the free HD.

I recall reading somewhere that you have no real choice, it has to be on the master disk, it doesnt play nicely with the other children.

you can but windows will slowly try to take master back...windows isn't very good on dual booting os's...

No the master and slave drives aren't the master boot..... Linux by default would create a primary partition on the second drive which the BIOS would read and either let you boot from XP OS or Linux OS. There are certain types of partitioning that allow for boot an OS. Example Primary, Physical, Extended and so on (I don't know all of them but thats what I recall of the top of my head).

I have a new hard drive, its now a question of installing it and deciding which distribution to use. As soon as I am completely clued up on how to install linux, I will do so. I wouldn't mind that link on partitioning the linux drive bskrakes, although its easy enough to research, I haven't done so yet. Would one partition after one has installed linux, or before? Does it matter? What are the advantages partitioning?

The Linux Install... first phase
 

Ok sounds good! Glad you went and got yourself a second hard drive.

1) So as I recall and re-read the posts above you are using IDE hard-drives. The one that is currently in your machine needs to be set to master (should be already). The new one you put in should be set to slave or cable select (I would set it to slave, no discrepancy between the two then).

2) Once drives are set boot the machine, if all boots normal then go in and set your boot sequence to CD/DVD rom drive and place the distro in your rom. When prompted boot from the CD/DVD do so.

3) Now you choose your settings of Linux/UNIX.
http://www.hccfl.edu/pollock/AUnix1/Partitioning.htm
This link is what I found to be helpful for partitioning my Linux disk. I guess if you are not going to use it for anything other than your self you don't really need to partition it any special way. Linux does include a deafult setup of your drive which you can choose to use (be carfeul you don't want to delete you Windows OS). I however am trying to set up a web server so in my research I found that it is best to set your drive as per the link (except in your own layout, with your own mods suting your needs). From my knowledge you have to partition first, but I would not doubt that if you left free space there would be an option to do so later once Linux OS is installed (it is after all a great OS)

I hope this is some help to you (and that I am not confusing you in anyway). Good luck and let me know if I can help in any other way.

Cheers,
Brendan (www.sdmsite.com)