Can I have 2 OS such as Windows and Linux on the same computer?
 

Can I run two different tpye of operating Systems on one computer such as Windows and Linux?

No problem, even more if you want.
Take a look at
http://www.linux.com/archive/feature/114157

Another YES!!!

I am writing this from a laptop which is running:
Arch Linux
Windows in VirtualBox in Arch (VirtualBox is a common "virtual machine" application.)
Windows in another partition
2 or 3 other Linux versions (I can't remember which ones.....;)

AND--in re you other thread, it has CrossOver installed in Arch, and this lets me run MS Office, IE 8, and my favorite schedule-maker: Fasttrack

If you want a nail pounded, I can do it at least 5 different ways.....;)

partition your hard drive in to two then install first the windows on the first partition then linux on the second

This is what I answered recently to one of the same question:


Scenerio 1:

You have 80GB Hard drive with 3 partition(assume) C: D: and E:
You have Win 2000 running and you want to install Linux.

Solution: Its simple. Format E: and install linux on that.
Be careful, E: has to be formatted before you install Linux.
Dont disturb other partition.Always select Manual Installation while
selecting partitioning through Linux CD.

Just insert the CD of Linux and be careful selecting the right E:
partition during partitioning.If not confident, mail me back I will help
you.

Note: You won't be able to see any drive of Linux sitting on Windows.
Windows doesnt detect the Linux Partition name.

Scenerio 2:

You have 80GB Hard drive with 1 partition(assume) C:
You have Win 2000 running and you want to install Linux.

Solution:

You cant install Linux and Windows on a single C: partition.
Reason- C: is reserved for Windows Bootloader.
Under this case, first create partition through Windows formatting it as
FAT32. Say, you create 1 more partition with name D:.
Now the same story as E: above. You need to insert CD and put Linux on D:

You should preferabbly install Linux after you have Windows on your
System.(No worry for you since you have Windows 2000 already there).

Yes surely you can. Take a look:

http://www.enterprisedt.com/publications/dual_boot.html

http://www.howtoforge.com/windows_linux_dual_boot

2 problems here:

1. The Windows bootloader is not on the "C: drive" (partition). It is in the MBR and the sectors following. The first 63 sectors are not part of any partition.

2. Linux does not go on D: or E: or any such letter. Linux uses a completely different naming system

I think you could---in principle---put 2 OSes on one partition. It would take a lot of work and be a REALLY ugly mess, so I don't think you WANT to......

Would wubi be an example for the same for you? I accept wubi does not necessarily mean installing Linux in the same partition as windows but it creates a virtual FS within the folder.

I think he is not talking about putting two OS in two partition such as ANDLinux does.

What he means is dual boot configuration.

No---my assertion is that you could co-mingle the files and directories such that each system could find its stuff and ignore the files that belonged to the other system. As the saying goes: "we're getting into a weird area here." I am not ready to actually try this----but it would be a neat idea for a class project.

And what difference does it make? In dual boot configuration I would put Linux and windows on their separate individual partitions. Your both the statements give me same meaning.

I aint an expert. I am not trying one of it. At least not with my current knowledge.

Save yourself some grief. It your system is new enough start with installing a virtual machine. VMplayer, VirtualPC, Virtualbox or even qemu/bochs would be better choice for a newbie.

Try live cd's too or make live usb flash drives.