My wife's computer requires Windows7 for the expensive specialist software that she uses for her work. However, her computer has recently become vulnerable to viruses, plus over-bloated Windows has been running sluggishly for a while now. She has all the usual protection, plus she cleared out much of the non essentials but still the computer runs like it's trawling through mud. She has asked me if it is possible to install LM13 as a dual boot without crashing her precious Windows7.

Question; How do I install LM13 on her computer without losing Windows7 usability, and if as I suspect it is possible, is there any risk involved?

The reason for asking is that she uses the same computer for all her private emails and social networking. Having LM13 would at least eliminate her picking up viruses through her surfing that could potentially attack her computer. Her idea is Windows7 for work, LM13 for everything else. Sounds good to me

gael.

We made it one time: 12GB RAM PC with Intel "several" Core. A BIG gaming machine.
We started the install CD and it runs the first time (make a backup in any case). Follow the install instructions.
It WAS A GOOD FEELING: win7 and Mint13 in parallel.
Hopefully you will have the same success (luck?).

Jetzt weiss ich floppy_Stuttgart, aber vielen dank

gael.

Do you have the Win's 7 Recovery disc's?

She has part of her HDD partitioned as a recovery ... I think that is standard procedure these days as Computer Software outlets don't supply disc's anymore. I remember someone in PC World telling me it was a Microsoft directive :P

If you install the Mint bootloader to the mbr, your recovery partition/disk will not help you restore windows to the bootloader as it doesn't have the necessary files. Neosmart used to have a disk for free download to do this but it is no longer available for free. You should be able to buy a full installation CD/DVD from whichever manufacturer you got the computer from, usually $15 - $25. Putting the Mint bootloader on the mbr will usually create an entry for windows and allow booting.

Is this an OEM install? Did you get the computer with windows pre-installed? If so, there are usually several windows partitions. You will need to have free or unallocated space on which to install Mint. Use the Mint Live CD and open a terminal and run this command:

sudo fdisk -l(Lower case Letter L in the command)

Post the output which will show drive/partition information and someone should be able to give you more specific recommendations.

Do back up and important files before you begin.

1 members found this post helpful.

Maybe this one...

http://neosmart.net/blog/2009/window...-repair-discs/

If you need it, but, no it isn't free anymore.

You can, however, download a copy of the Installation DVD for the version of Windows 7 that you have installed on your system and try from there.

https://sites.google.com/site/linuxl...ry/windows-iso

Firstly, thank you all for all your fantastic comments and advice, unfortunately, the tech jargon has frightened her and she won't let me near her PC. I can understand her angst at letting me loose on her PC as she has several hundred pounds sterling of specialised software on the HDD and that she is paranoid about losing it. So, again I thank you all for coming forward to help but I think it best if we close the subject.

gael.

I see where you said you think it best if we close the subject but I wanted to let you know my Win's 7 experience.
When I received my Sony Vaio with Windows 7 on it the Recovery media was on a Recovery Partition all of it's own and all I had to do is tell my laptop to copy the Recovery media onto the DVD+R one at a time. When the Recovery media was done copying to all of the new DVD+R I had a total of 5 new Recovery disc's.

Now I can install any distro I'd like.

I also can understand how your wife could feel the way that she does and won't let you near the PC-However; there is hope that she may consider and later maybe change her mind.

Good luck to you

Thanks for getting touch I had a word with my wife and she wants to know "how" you managed to burn copies of your recovery partition to disc? ... I guess by her interest, she is still interested in trying LM13 alongside Windows7.

gael

When I got a computer several years ago (HP) with windows 7 on it, I believe during the installation or immediately after it, I was prompted to create a Recovery CD. I did this. I think it was about a 250MB bootable CD which could be used to boot the computer and begin the Recovery process. My understanding of this is that it sets the computer to its original state so any programs, files, etc. you placed on the computer after the installation won't remain.

I'm not sure what Ztcoracat is referring to unless he just copied the recovery partition to a few DVDs. The recovery partition on my computer was 12GB with 9GB of data.

I have a copy of the CD thorkelljarl refers to in the link above from neosmart and it works. It used to be a free download, no more.
Mint is pretty easy to install in just a dual-boot. I installed it last week and it took 30 minutes and all worked as expected but I've done this a few times. If you are still interested, I would google "how to install Linux Mint as a dual-boot" or something similar. You should get a large number of links to view. Read a few or watch a few on youtube to familiarize yourself with it and Linux naming conventions.

The two things I see people having problems in your situation are not understanding the concept of bootloaders so they don't install it properly or changing their mind later and deciding to remove their Linux install and not doing any research any doing the process backward rendering their computer unbootable.

There are several things you could do before trying the dual-boot. Read about dual-booting Mint and win 7 as there are numerous tutorials, download and try the Live CD without installing or install VirtualBox in windows 7 and try Mint there.

I'm posting a link to the microsoft site explaining how to create a System Repair Disk. Not much to it if you have a functioning windows 7 system:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...em-repair-disc

My experience was similar to Yancek's. When my Win7 computer arrived, there was a "Burn Recovery DVD" item somewhere on the menu. I burned two sets.

I recently installed Mint 13 MATE on it. I used the Mint installer to resize the main Windows partition, then installed Mint to the empty space. It worked flawlessly.

My husbandly experience tells me that, if your wife has to use this computer for work, you shouldn't touch it. Linux is great, but it's not worth your marital happiness.

That is exactly what I did:

How I managed you asked-

It may be different on your laptop as I have a Vaio and I think I might have a different menu than yours.

I clicked on Advanced Tools> than clicked on Restore & Recovery> than clicked on Create Recovery Media
A small window opened and I choose Start Recovery Media and the laptop prompted me to insert the first blank DVD into the CD Rom drive. During the copying process the laptop gave me an additional window to watch the progression of the media being copied to the new DVD.

When the first Disc of Recovery Media was written to the disc the CD Rom drive opened and prompted me for the next new blank DVD to be inserted into the drive. I continued with this process until I had a total of 5 Recovery Disc's.

I called Sony before I even made the Recovery Media and they advised me that each laptop is different and it will take anywhere between 3 to 5 disc's to make the Recovery Disc's. You may need up to 5 disc's; not sure as I don't know what manufacturer made your laptop.

Here are some good video's that you can watch on how to dual boot Win's 7 with Linux Mint:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPUX-0j5WCo
This video was made showing the Mint Installer and is a very good video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9S77a62RDQ

During the Linux installations that I have installed on my 2 systems I went slow and took my time. Before hand
I too consulted with Yancek and his wise counsel was the best information I could of followed. Otherwise I don't think I would of had a successful install of the distro's that I do have at present. (Debian & Fedora)