Need help installing Freespire as second OS
 

I have a Dell Latitude D610 laptop with Windows XP Pro SP3 as my OS. I have over 80GB of freespace on my hard drive. I want to keep my current OS in place for now. I want to install Linux Freespire as a second OS. The only experience I have with reformatting was installing Ubuntu 9.04 on my deceased laptop. I don't know how to partition a hard drive. Also,I don't want to lose my current OS. I want very much to use Linux,as I said above,I installed Ubuntu. The first time,I did it through the Wubi installer. Later,windows went out on me(hard drive failure)so all I had was Ubuntu. I had so much trouble trying to learn the system,even after I did a regular install. I wanted Linux XP,but it has a price tag. With Ubuntu,I could browse OK,but that's all I could do. I could download,but had trouble installing the programs. Again,I want to learn Linux and any help installing would be appreciated. I don't want to be held hostage by Windows all my life. Thank you, Charles.

But what is the issue while installing Freespire. I have not heard too good about this distribution. Linux and windows are different operating systems so you are going to have to learn some things. And that is something you cannot escape. But Ubuntu is not too difficult and you can always ask here and be sure that at least someone will help you out. i guess Ubuntu was a good first choice. It works well and is quite a bit user friendly but can not expect it to be windows.
I have not used Freespire but I can surely help you out with Ubuntu install. You can try to install it again.
When you are there at partitioning step choose Manual method. That you will be able to choose where you want to install it.

Use this to take the help for installing Ubuntu.
http://www.shivaranjan.com/2009/04/2...e-walkthrough/

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

I would suggest that you use the 'M$' disk management tools available to you within 'Vista'. While in Vista you can 'Start> Computer >Right Click >manage' to get to the tools.

You are less likely to have problems with using the M$ tools on the M$ product.

'Dual/Multi Booting With Vista' is good place to look. If you have SP1 of Vista then you need to be sure that the way you handle the boot. The link will aid you. The above link and others are available from 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

This subject has been covered many times here on LQ so the next two links should aid you for future reference;

Hey, Onebuck! Thanks for your answer,but I'm running XP,not Vista. Is this same management tool in Windows XP.

Hi,

My bad.

No, not available on M$ XP. You could use 'parted magic' on the system via the LiveCD. I really don't remember why I thought about Vista for this thread. You won't have the problems with resizing 'M$ XP' that people have for 'Vista' nor booting problems that can occur with 'Vista Sp1'.

'UBCD Ultimate Boot CD' is another LiveCD for diagnostic/maintenance to have on hand for situations like these.

The above links and others are available from 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!