Noob Storm of Questions to get Linux up and running
 

Hello,

I would like to install linux but I am not sure how.

1. Which linux should I download and from where? Should I trust an iso from torrents thats easily burnable?

2. I want to have both windows and linux on my pc. Currently I have 2 Hard disks, one (C) is 80 GB (60GB currently free) and one 250GB. Does an OS have to be installed on C? In view of the limited space, should I get a larger disk if I am to run two OS? How much space does Linux need? Does it get updates and do I get notified for them? How big are the updates and how often? *catching breath* :D

3. Is there anything else I should know or fear about starting to use linux? :D

1. You can go with Ubuntu desktop version (Find here: http://www.ubuntu.com/download). It's completely free.

2. You can do dual partitioning of Windows and Ubuntu (Check this: https://help.ubuntu.com/10.04/switching/C/dualboot.html), but in that case you will be able to work with any one OS at a time. On the other hand, you can first install VMware and then Ubuntu on it. Anyway, its up to your choice.
Note:
A. Before doing any installation (specially if you have no knowledgge of it), take backup of all your important data on some external device.
B. Thoroughly read all related docs/articles before you proceed.

3. No need to be afraid. It is very easy and convinient. I am sure you would love linux :)

One site with a lot of information is distrowatch, the link below which provides information on a variety of Linux distributions and has them rated. Go to the site linked below and scroll down and look on the right of the page for Page Hit Ranking. The various Linux distributions are ranked by distrowatch and there are link to each of them:

http://distrowatch.com/

Another thing you might do is google "linux chooser" which should give you some sites where you answer several questions and they will make a recommendation on a Distribution.


No, in fact that won't work unless you are using something like VirtualBox or doing a wubi type install for Ubuntu. I would suggest you do some reading on Linux drive/partition naming conventions as you won't see anything like "C" on Linux.
The size of a disk/partition for Linux varies. There are hundreds of differnet distributions beginning at 10MB and going up. Most will take 3-5 GB when installed. 10-20GB should be enough for a system partition. A separate partition can and should be created for data. It all depends upon what you are going to use it for.

Updates are available for most all the distributions for varying lengths of time, usually less than 5 years for Desktops.
You could try using the search function here at LQ, the upper right of this page as a lot of questions you will have as a new user will probably already have been answered.

A reply from Lord Shiva himself, thats what I call an auspicious start with linux. :D

Many thanks, I am downloading Ubuntu and its an iso! :) And I am going to have to read that dual partitioning guide in detail to install ubuntu! I used VMware once but my computer is so old and frail it becomes very slow with it. Its an about 8 year old AMD Athlon xp 1.15Ghz with funny IDE cables :D.

Thanks yancek for the information! There is no C in linux? Ah but I would have to know about C to create a partition through windows in order to install linux? I mean when I am going to install linux, will it not ask me on which partition do I want to install it? :S

Some stuff are really technical and I am not familiar with them, like wubi or VirtualBox. To read a manual sometimes I need hours googling each unfamiliar term, which often turns insignificant to my search. Its great that there are people who share their knowledge in forums like these.

Hi! Ompixie,

Nothing really to fear.
The one thing to know is that we are here to help.

Take the time when you can and read all of the documentation on the distribution that you plan to install.
This will be a help to you and you can expect less surprises-

Ubuntu Lucid Linux version 10.04 is only going to be supported until April of 2013 so it's up to you.
I personally would not install it.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1978224

This newer version of Ubuntu (12.04)has the Long Term Support
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...se_Pangolin.29

Many Thanks!!!!! I am downloading 12.10 ubuntu, is that ok or should I go for the 12.04?

Ubuntu 12.10 is ok; think you will like it!;)

*spam alert* I just have to say how excited I am and how grateful to everyones replies! Installing linux is a dream come true.

You should also try LinuxMint, latelly very popular among new users. It is based on Ubuntu but comes with lot more apps already set up from the box. you can download it from here -------> http://www.linuxmint.com/

Note. You need to download the ISO file and burn it as image to a CD or DVD, not just copy and paste the file. It needs to be burned as image.

Another thing make sure you know what key or key combination you need to press to boot your computer from the CD or DVD tray.

Both Ubuntu and LinuxMint come with a tool called Gparted that allows you re size partitions in your hard drive to make room for another OS.

You can run these OSs from the CD or DVD on Live mode without having them actually installed in your computer, Try both or more then decided which is the one you want to install in your computer.

Ubuntu and Linux Mint and pretty much all distros do a good job keeping the masses update with the latest software out there

Good luck to you.

Thanks thats very interesting and good advice. Maybe I should burn live cds first *hmm*. Iso is easy to burn as an image on a cd. For some reason my pc has never booted from the cd drive. But it boots from an external cd drive.

If I create a partition through windows (Partition Magic) will linux be able to view it and install itself on it? Maybe the answer is on that dual boot link.. off to read...

Edit: I was not aware of a key combination to boot. I thought the pc boots according to the boot priority you set on bios. And sometimes with ctr+alt+del ? No, thats re-boot :D.

During your Ubuntu installation the Ubuntu installer will walk you through step by step one screen at a time.

Eventually during the install you will see where Linux will show you all of the partitions on your system.
The partition manager will help you.

Thanks :)
But as I said backup is a must! Because you may encounter little problems (obviously they are everywhere), so in order to avoid any data loss, do take backup of your windows data first. You can then go with dual partitioning.
And again I am saying, you would fall in love with Unix just in first sight! :)

The guide says:

"Hence, in a dual system, a FAT32 filesystem is commonly used as a way of sharing files between Linux and Windows. ext3 is a native Linux filesystem"

- Does this mean that the partition of linux has to be formated as ext3? Wonder if there is such an option in Partition Magic.
- Does this mean that I will need tools to access through linux my second internal hard disk which is ntfs?
- Do you guys format your external and internal Hard Disks as FAT32 to have access to them from both systems?

My Data is on a second internal hard disk. That should not be affected by the dual boot thing. And I have the install sources of my programs :). I don't think there is anything to back up! Maybe I should disconnect the second hd entirely to avoid any errors. Who knows...

I can feel that I will love it :)