E-Machine on vista , Want to run Linux how?
 

:newbie:

I have got linux running as my OS on my netbook and feel that my children would be better running it too.
They have a E-machines desktop PC that is currently running Vista Home, It is slow very very slow has numerous errors along the way and to be frank WERE SICK of Microsoft :eek:

I have read that it is easy to install via disc and can run over Vista without removing Vista from the computer.

Has anyone done this?
what problems might I encounter?
Is there a better way or a specially good version to look at?.
I know its alot of questions but I need to make sure my teens MsN usage isn't disrupted :D

many thanks for any advice P.S Im not very technical so layman's terms is you please

Well I do not know the spec of E-machine , but what you want is what we call a dual boot.
There are a lot of threads about a dual boot and advices how to do it.
So my advice read them , and ask us what is not clear to you .

You'd be better downloading what's known as a Live CD. Distributions such as Ubuntu, Mandriva, Puppy and others can be got from their relative websites. Download the .iso file and burn the image onto a CD.
Actually, I get mine as DVDs enclosed with the Linux Format magazine; they usually do a few live distros on each DVD. :)
When you boot the CD the distribution runs completely in memory and allows you to play about with the system just as if it was installed on your hard drive. If you shut it down you're back with your original system. However, once you find the distribution you're happy with, there's usually an "Install" icon on the desktop which will give a more permanent installation on your hard drive. It'll ask if you want to keep Vista and if so will help you re-partition your hard drive to cope with both OS'and give you a dual boot option... or you can just toast Vista and use the whole drive. :D Yah! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Play Bonny! :hattip:

I'm a Linux newbie, and I basically did exactly whaty Soadyheid describes above. I tried Ubuntu 10.04 on the live CD- loved it, and so I installed it as a dual boot system with my Win-D'ohs Vista. The only reason I'm keeping Vista as a back-up OS, is because I occasionally need to use my MagicJack phone- which is not compatible with Linux yet. But once MagicJack becomes compatible, or when my current subscription runs out (Dec. I believe) I'm going to say Hasta La Vista, Vista!

Linux is great! It's so nice to be free of Microsoft. My 'puter works much better, and all the little annoyances that were driving me crazy in Win-D'ohs are gone, and I can enjoy computing again!

So try out some Linux distros and ENJOY! (You might want to give Linux Mint a try- as it has more features and requires less configuration/add-ons after installation than Ubuntu. If I didn't already have Ubuntu, I think I'd go with Mint myself)

To try linux for first time with no near "support", start with:
http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php -> http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52
... as said, Mint has many more features out-of-the-box (with no "post-install" configuration needed) - and always remember: it's "heavily" ubuntu-based, so (almost) all instructions to Ubuntu, found through google, applies to it :P

another hint is to install emesene: it's a MSN client very similar to the MS app (further info: http://emesene.org/ - remember: the install instructions to Ubuntu applies to Mint :P)

;) Firstly <3 *THANK YOU EVERYONE* <3 for your informative and speedy replies, Everyone has offered very very great solutions to my problem :cool:

I have been looking at Mint9 reasons it seems fool proof =], and being ubuntu based I think it has offered solutions that you all recommend.
loving the thought of toast and saying Hasta la vista Vista lmao.
and the MsN widgety thingy I shall defiantly most certainly obtain as my teenage daughter will melt me with her Lazar vision If MsN doesn't work :p

Right Im going to remove all photographs etc and back up anything I may need...as I can do that on M$ lol..and will let you all know how my migration went .. Did Vista get fried...Did I ruin the entire PC...Have I been melted by my daughters Lazar vision...WERE YOU ALL RIGHT ;)
stay tuned lmao

again Thank you everyone I couldn't of made the decision without you all :scratch:<3

One note...

We are glad that you are happy with linux. Come back again with further questions and problems. However, the next time, do so in a smaller type face and without color; it makes things easier to read.

Because it is all new and different from Windows, before doing anything in linux the most important fact for any new beginner to remember is to backup any files involved. Good Luck.

Thanks again and Sorry about the colour didn't realise it would offend.

so far all files backed up looking forward to the desktop pc being like the laptop .