How To Install Linux In Windows Desktop????

jojojo · 02-22-2005, 07:33 PM

How to istall linux on windows desktop???? HELP!!!!

frieza · 02-22-2005, 07:45 PM

your question is a bit ambiguous, do you want to replace windows with linux? confiture a dual boot, or run both at the same time

there are *nix distributions that install ontop of windows, such as winlinux? and cygwin
if you can repartition your hard drive, or add a second hd, then you can set up a dual boot

or you could get virtualpc, vmware, or someother pc emulator and run linux in a virtual machine

halo14 · 02-22-2005, 07:47 PM

what is your question?? you need to be more explaining of what exactly your goals are.

I am assuming that you have a 'desktop' PC running Windows and you would like to install linux on it?? Do you want to dual boot or go completely to linux?? What are your goals for using linux (windows replacement, multimedia workstation, etc..)??

Please explain yourself and your goals and someone will be happy to help, thanks.

jojojo · 02-22-2005, 10:28 PM

Oh ok. sorry. i mean my computer is using windows xp pro right now. i want to install linux so that i have 2 os on the same computer so that i can switch to either linux or windows anytime.
I still want to retain my windows xp pro.

JSpired · 02-22-2005, 10:51 PM

All you need do then is pick a distro and install it. Most of the major distros today will allow you to resize your current Windows partition, making room for a Linux install. If you've picked a distro and want to name it, I'm sure someone can walk you thru it or toss you a link.

Does that help?

uman · 02-22-2005, 11:04 PM

Unfortunately "most" doesn't include Fedora, Redhat, Mandrake, etc. in this situation.

JSpired · 02-22-2005, 11:19 PM

Mandrake does resize.

Also, I asked him to name his distro for this reason.

jojojo · 02-22-2005, 11:45 PM

Actually i dont know what is a distro and where i can install it...ehehehehehe...

JSpired · 02-22-2005, 11:55 PM

A "distro" is a distribution. In other words, it's the name of the particular Linux install you want to do. (SuSE, Mandrake, Fedora, Ubuntu, etc.)

jojojo · 02-23-2005, 12:12 AM

Oh, ok. what is the difference between red hat linux 9 and SuSE, Mandrake.......?

Mr. Hill · 02-23-2005, 12:16 AM

Not much, Red Hat was my first distro. I think SuSE is a Win clone, and I've only seen Mandrake at a friends house. Fedora is meh, I would go with Red Hat 9.0 in my opinion it's a nice and small newbie distro.

Your installer will put a boot loader on for you, I would suggest Grub for you (I use Lilo), Grub looks prettier but has actually caused me more problems than anything. It's up to you on what you want though.

JSpired · 02-23-2005, 12:17 AM

You may want to try doing some research on your own. Use the "search" feature here and check out DistroWatch

jojojo · 02-23-2005, 12:20 AM

Thanks a lot JSpired and Mr Hill. You really help me a lot.......

Mr. Hill · 02-23-2005, 12:20 AM

Ehh... Distrowatch has a lot of cool stuff but can be overwhelming for a newbie. I would strongly suggest www.linuxiso.com myslef but meh.

No problem.

pevelius · 02-23-2005, 12:53 AM

it might be wise to backup all important data before you install linux, just in case something doesn´t work the way you intended.