Dual Boot Win 7 AND Linux Mint or Precise Pangolin on a Dell Inspiron 10v Mini?

Aramanda · 11-28-2012, 11:39 PM

I have a very tiny laptop and a strong itch to ditch Windows 2007 and use only Linux. However, the Linux Forums, and a friend who's a Linux expert, have told me not to jump straight in, but to dual boot both systems, or at least run Linux Mint or Ubuntu on Virtualbox, within Windows, until I can make the switch confidently. Extremely sensible advice, but is it even possible to do this using such a minuscule RAM and on a tiny toy netbook like the Dell Mini Inspiron 10v?

Once I familiarize myself with Linux, I will take GREAT pleasure in reversing the order - Run Linux as my main system, with Windows in Virtualbox. For me, it will be like bottling up an overgrown, resource-hogging genie forever.

Why don't computer manufacturers sell machines already dual-booted with Windows and Linux, or at least with Virtualbox running Linux pre-installed within Windows? Can Linux please do something to make this happen world-wide? It would simply things so much for all of us who want to make the switch, as well as it would give everyone a chance to get to know Linux.

alfredo10 · 11-29-2012, 04:56 AM

Hi Aramanda!
To help we need some more data: Hard disk or SSD? Free space? No drive - only USB (version2 or 3)?
In any case I would keep Windows (although I don't like it).
Microsoft has too much influence, even much sellers/ venders are not free;
there are only a few companies offering a netbook without a preinstalled operating system.
alfredo

gnuub · 11-29-2012, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aramanda

I have a very tiny laptop and a strong itch to ditch Windows 2007 and use only Linux. However, the Linux Forums, and a friend who's a Linux expert, have told me not to jump straight in, but to dual boot both systems, or at least run Linux Mint or Ubuntu on Virtualbox, within Windows, until I can make the switch confidently. Extremely sensible advice, but is it even possible to do this using such a minuscule RAM and on a tiny toy netbook like the Dell Mini Inspiron 10v?

Once I familiarize myself with Linux, I will take GREAT pleasure in reversing the order - Run Linux as my main system, with Windows in Virtualbox. For me, it will be like bottling up an overgrown, resource-hogging genie forever.

Why don't computer manufacturers sell machines already dual-booted with Windows and Linux, or at least with Virtualbox running Linux pre-installed within Windows? Can Linux please do something to make this happen world-wide? It would simply things so much for all of us who want to make the switch, as well as it would give everyone a chance to get to know Linux.

First of all, by windows 2007 do you mean windows 7?

Second of all, depending on the hard drive size of your "very tiny laptop" you may not be able to dual boot both systems.

More information is needed.

VDP76 · 11-29-2012, 08:21 AM

I would duggest you to download ubuntu (or mint), make a bootable usb out of the iso (on ubuntu's website you'll find all the info on how to do that, essentially using UNetbootin) and boot into the live system. In this way you can check if everything work properly and if you like the OS. You could also open GParted and post here a screenshot of your actual partition layout so we can suggest/guide you on how to do an optimal dual boot configuration.
Moreover, somewhere in ubuntu's configuration panel there should be some system info tool, a screenshot of that would provide good info...

alfredo10 · 12-03-2012, 07:50 AM

Hi!
Our family has a 12'' netbook (Eee PC); I was testing some user friendly, important distributions
(-> http://distrowatch.com)
Significant for us is WLAN and BT - result:

Code:

Distribution				wireless	bluetooth

Linux Mint 12 LXDE			-			+
Linux Mint 13 Xfce			-			+
Fedora 17 LXDE				-			-
openSUSE 12				+		        +
PCLinuxOS 2012				+			+
Lubuntu 2012				-			+
Sabayon 10 Xfce				-			-
Xubuntu 2012				-			+

Mint 12 and PClinuxOS: 32 bit

[For a better overview I use code tags.]
So I installed openSUSE LXDE and PCLinuxOS (Phoenix).

@ Aramanda:
I would install Linux on an USB flash drive (min. 8 GB) or, if your computer is able to boot from, a MicroSD Card
(important: high speed class!).
I' ve tested that too - USB was okay, SD to slow.

Edit:
I was creating bootable USB with PartedMagic/UNetbootin:
http://partedmagic.com/doku.php?id=programs

Aramanda · 12-12-2012, 04:20 AM

Alfredo, First, my apologies for the delay in replying. Yahoo are doing something with their servers, and I could not log into my account at all, till I found a site which provided links (in case you or anyone else on LinuxQuestions.org has the same problem, the links are http://us.m.yahoo.com/p/mail/ and http://id.m.yahoo.com/p/mail. These links provide a plain-vanilla entry into your account, but they work.

I will take your suggestion and boot Linux from a USB drive.

It was extremely good of you to take time off from your busy schedule to answer my question. BIG thumbs-up you from me.

alfredo10 · 12-22-2012, 11:22 AM

Hi!
Meanwhile I tested Mint 14 Xfce 64 bit (live USB, created with Mint Debian Imagewriter):
everything works:
BT, wireless, mp3, USB 3.0.