Linux - Newbie This Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux.
Just starting out and have a question?
If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place! |
| Notices |
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
Are you new to LinuxQuestions.org? Visit the following links:
Site Howto |
Site FAQ |
Sitemap |
Register Now
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
 |
GNU/Linux Basic Guide
This 255-page guide will provide you with the keys to understand the philosophy of free software, teach you how to use and handle it, and give you the tools required to move easily in the world of GNU/Linux. Many users and administrators will be taking their first steps with this GNU/Linux Basic guide and it will show you how to approach and solve the problems you encounter.
Click Here to receive this Complete Guide absolutely free. |
|
 |
03-07-2012, 10:24 AM
|
#1
|
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Mar 2012
Posts: 1
Rep: 
|
configuring laptop C drive into half windows 7 and half linux
is it possible to partition my windows seven so that i can use microsoft while learning how to use linux? as well as which linux is best for beginners? Should i start with the build your own style?
|
|
|
|
03-07-2012, 10:35 AM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Registered: Jul 2006
Location: London
Distribution: CentOS, Salix
Posts: 2,238
|
Yes! That's what most people do who have a computer with Windows pre-installed. You defrag the HD and then run the Linux installation disk. That allows you to shrink your Windows partition and create new ones alongside it to hold Linux. The distributions all come with installation instructions on their websites that explain how to do it.
Everyone has their own ideas on the best distros. Unlike Windows, Linux allow you to choose a user interface or desktop, so it's a good idea to try them out and see which you like. The Cd or DVD allows you to try without installing. I'd suggest Linux Mint. Get two CDs: the KDE and Xfce ones have a very different style so you can see how personal Linux can be. The main Mint disk, using Gnome, in in a bit of a state of flux at the moment, so I'd give it a miss for now.
|
|
|
|
03-07-2012, 11:20 AM
|
#3
|
|
Moderator
Registered: Dec 2009
Location: Hanover, Germany
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 12,176
|
You don't need to repartition at all to learn Linux. Just install Linux into a virtual machine, like Virtualbox. This way you can even run both systems at the same time.
|
|
|
|
03-08-2012, 11:14 AM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
Registered: Jul 2006
Location: London
Distribution: CentOS, Salix
Posts: 2,238
|
Using Virtualbox depends on having enough memory for both operating systems plus VB's own requirement. Some Linux distros may give problems or require tweaking, as mentioned in the VB manual. That's why I didn't suggest it: keep things simple!
|
|
|
|
03-08-2012, 11:29 AM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
Registered: Nov 2010
Location: Colorado
Distribution: OpenSUSE, CentOS
Posts: 1,656
|
How is re-partitioning the hard drive and overwriting the boot sector (requiring him to go back and re-write it every time he tries out a new Linux distro, or if he decides to drop it and go back to Windows) "keeping things simple"? If he doesn't know what he's doing, he could easily wipe out his entire Windows installation.
A full re-partition and installation is about as far from "simple" as you can get.
Try out the VM, it is the perfect fit for what you are looking for. If you have problems, then you should look into setting up a live USB stick. Only if you have problems with both of those (rare), should you consider a full installation for your application.
Last edited by suicidaleggroll; 03-08-2012 at 11:32 AM.
|
|
|
|
03-08-2012, 02:41 PM
|
#6
|
|
Member
Registered: Mar 2012
Location: I live at ::1 usually...
Distribution: Yes.
Posts: 55
Rep: 
|
Get partition magic. shrink your C:\ (8-40gb) and boot up a live cd and click install.
If you ever want to go back just boot into windows, open partition magic, and click "fix MBR" than just delete the linux partition. (this puts it all back to normal.
If something ever goes wrong get HBCD (herenis boot cd) and save it to a cd.
You can boot even if MBR is f---ed, and run windows apps from it.
as for distro, get LINUX MINT 12(gnome3) its like windows 7
|
|
|
|
03-16-2012, 04:30 AM
|
#7
|
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Mar 2008
Location: Mikkeli, Finland
Posts: 22
Rep:
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidMcCann
Yes! That's what most people do who have a computer with Windows pre-installed. You defrag the HD and then run the Linux installation disk. That allows you to shrink your Windows partition and create new ones alongside it to hold Linux. The distributions all come with installation instructions on their websites that explain how to do it.
|
This is what I have always done, too, though am still with XP. However, trying to defrag with Mydefrag and option to gather everything together, it still leaves a couple of small winfiles near the end of the disk (cannot be moved), leaving me only 10/180 gigs available for another opsys. I got this advice in Mydefrag forum:
For resizing partitions the free Gnome Partition Editor is very good. You don't need MyDefrag to move the data first, Gnome will do it all for you.
True or False?
If true, is this the same software I just used installing Ubuntu 11.10 on my laptop besides XP? If not, where can I find it? Can it really truly move the offending NTFS data out of its way, not just wipe it off? As usual, I got no install media with the preinstalled XP so I'd hate to kill it. I plan to use it from live-CD, so XP should not be guarding its files.
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:03 AM.
|
|
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.
|
Latest Threads
LQ News
|
|