Installing Linux alongside Windows?
 

Hi all,

Please excuse me because I'm very new to Linux. I have tried to install Linux before on my PowerBook but have failed miserably because I couldn't understand the whole partioning thing and for some reason I couldn't get it to work alongside Mac OS 10.3.

Anyway, I was wondering, is it possible to somehow install Linux alongside Windows? If yes, how hard is it? How do I partition the hard drive to do this? Do I only need two partitions or do I require 5 (or more) like I did when I tried to install it on my PowerBook? Are there any websites that explain all of this in really simple terms?

Also, what type of Linux would I be best installing? I've looked at Mandrake and that seems to be attractive. Would Mandrake:

1. Allow me to play AAC files and watch DVDs?
2. Print to a networked printer?
3. Protect my computer from viruses?
4. Create home DVDs and digital photos and burn them onto DVDs or CDs? Could I capture movies from the Firewire port like I do on my PowerBook?

Thanks in advance,
Stu :-)

P.S. Would anyone here like a G-Mail e-mail account? I have 6 invites left? If you do, please e-mail me at stuartguthrieuk@yahoo.co.uk

Yes, it is possible, and these days (using a recent distribution) it is quite easy. Generally speaking, you want one partition for windows, and two for Linux (though you can use more). Make one partition fairly small for swap space (you probably won't need more than 512MB, many people pick twice the amount of RAM they have). The other partition should be used for Linux. The installers in modern distros will usually help you through this process - just be sure to read everything on the screen, and if you're not sure, ask!

As for your list, I'm sure Mandrake will do those things (though number 4 may take some reading on the web and experimenting to get it right). Mandrake when I used it had a very nice and easy to understand installer, and helpful documentation that I ignored completely :D :D

Wow!!! That actually sounds really easy. Would that be the same on the Mac? Also, does Linux support Airport (I think it's called Wi-Fi in Windows)?

Thanks for the help,
Stu :-)

I expect it would be the same on the mac, but I don't want to mislead you - I have not yet convinced my wife that we should spend the money on a nice powerbook for me ;)

Macs look very nice, and I'd like to try OS X, but they are also horribly expensive :(

Airport support - a quick google search implies that there is at least preliminary support for Airport devices. Chances are quite good that it will work.