Linux on my Windows XP Laptop
 

Hi:
I'm totally new to forums and need help with installing Linux on my laptop that's running XP professional. I have read a few articles, but am still not sure what to do (please forgive my ignorance).
Is there someone out there with patience who's willing to walk me through this with step by step instructions? Your help is greatly appreciated.

Here is a really good step-by-step tutorial on installing Ubuntu.

The first thing I would change is that I would definitely install Grub to the MBR. Where as this guy prefers to use the NTLDR from windows to chainload linux, I prefer to use Grub to chainload Windows. His way will work also, it's up to you...

The other thing I would add to his tutorial is that before you defrag your hard drive, make sure that you turn off the windows virtual memory (Control Panel --> System --> Performance --> Advanced --> Virtual Memory -- Set to "No paging file") and disable hibernation (Control Panel --> Power Options --> Hibernate -- clear the "Enable hibernation" checkbox). The reason to do this is that the page file and the hibernation file are "unmovable files" according to the defrag program. So they would be left alone, possibly near the end of the drive. You might try the defrag in safe mode since it will use less resources (you no longer have a swap file -- if all the programs are sucking up all your RAM, XP will crash).

You could also install Linux over everything, only using half the drive, and then using the supplied reinstallation CD, reinstall Windows.

NOTE: You will lose all your programs and settings this way)

Thanks for the help; I'll report on my progress when finished.

abandon minimal boot CD route, went the Live CD way
 

Well, as promised here's the progress report on putting fedora 7 on my windows XP laptop. I had to abandon the minimal boot image route (the installation program kept adding a slash (/) to fedora's path on the http server then told me it couldn't find the file! so I downloaded the live CD and burnt the iso to a CD using deepburner (great tool) and installed fedora that way. I'd have to say that gparted and grub are great utilities. Everything is working fine, but am just wondering why Fedora can't recognize wireless networking!?

Thanks,
Merdi

you need to install drivers for your wireless to work

you can install bootloader of Linux on first sector on Linux's patition when installing