Alright, so i'm telling myself the other day, windows is boring right? So i agree with myself..like always ..so i decide to try to research, but so far i haven't found much. I can give you my computer specs and things and i really want to know if my computer can handle it, im pretty sure it can because i upgraded for Half-Life 2, hopefully linux can run that also . Anyways, i want a change! Agh! Windows is so bland, and me liking penguins was a big plus to go with linux.



* Remember I have no clue even where to start!!

-----------My computer specs----------


512 MB RAM
40 GB Hardrive
Radeon 9800 Pro Graphics Card
1.49 mhz

-----------------------------------------------


So how about it? I'd appreciate some links also..maybe some tutorials and download links..but please don't be so harsh i'm a

Well thanks for your time!!! You can contact me on AIM at arandompenguin3 also.

if you want to double boot, unless you have some free space on your hard drive, you will have first to reinstall windows, and *then* linux... when you'll boot you will be able to choose to boot windows or linux. A first good step will be to decide which distribution you want to try, they are a lot (distrowatch.com can be of help...)
Good luck!
A.

Most games do not run well on Linux.

the basics are pretty easy. first you partition off some hard drive space for linux, and then you install it on the space you just created. when it's installed, you put a boot loader on your master boot record so you can boot into either windows or linux.

you could probably find 1,000 posts on dual booting on LQ alone. post back if/when you have more specific questions.

First you need to choose a distribution. I chose Debian because of it's package management system, huge database of packages, and huge community. Check out DistroWatch.com and Debian web sites.

Next you need to choose whether or not you want to use a command line interface (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI). You're already familiar with a GUI, since you use Windows. A CLI might be intimidating at first, but don't give up because it can be a rewarding learning experience. Imagine sometime in the future running your own server of some sort. You most likely need to be comfortable with a CLI to do that.

Next, you need to choose what you want to use Linux for. For example, you can use it as a web server, database server, email server, work station, etc. Your choice of distribution is largely influenced based on this choice.

What are your decisions?

By the way, Rome, GA is a nice place to visit. Very little traffic and large undeveloped spaces. Canton, Woodstock, Acworth, and surrounding cities have been growing very quickly since the 90's. It's takes me a hour to drive to work and school on 575.

What if, instead, you snagged a cast-off computer down at the Goodwill store and plinked around with that? In other words, a computer you could afford to trash. A computer you could afford to dedicate to Linux and to your process of learning about Linux? I bought such a computer for $65 once.

Well at the moment..just as a like...desktop workstation i guess, i mean, to use AIM..uh..surf the web..reports and such. One thing is i hate how MS just determines on not letting you customize like the way everything looks and stuff..so i really want something customizable..and i have another computer also..in the other room..i can use it for anything. Yes, i love rome .

This isn't true. With Partition Magic, DiskDrake, or QTParted, you can resize your existing Windows partition to free up space for a new Linux partition. You do not need to reinstall Windows.

Of course, you always should back up your data before doing anything serious to your computer. Actually, you should back up your data all the time anyway.

If you're super-new, consider trying out a "live CD" of Linux first, to see how it behaves on your system and to see how much you like it. Knoppix, Mepis, and Ubuntu all have live CDs. Mepis is both a live CD and installer. A live CD also gives you an idea of whether or not the distro you're trying recognizes your hardware.

A dual-boot can take a lot of figuring out. Make sure it's worth it.

if that's a "spare," then i agree with sundial's approach -- definitely use that. besides the hassle of reformatting and possibly screwing up the mbr of your main system (or worse -- unlikely but possible), another benefit is that after you install you can connect the two and learn more about basic networking, samba, etc.

I'm connected to the router directly with an ethernet cord*** and the other one uses a wireless chip, so yea, it'd help me learn.

Okay, im at an ISO recorder software download..and i'm not completely sure what to do..umm the URL is.. http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/Beta.htm
maybe u guys can help me?

what are you trying to do?

yes you 'll find a good iso recorder for windows there: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/beta.htm
once it is burn you'll be able to boot from this cd.
A.

that link is broken? or what? just sits there eating my cpu cycles.

It says it doesn't work with my processor type..?? What now!?