I recently installed Windows 7 64-bit on my Quad-Core 3GB RAM machine. I am now looking to dual-boot it with Linux Mint 7 64-bit. While I am an IT Service Management major, I really only know enough to be dangerous, and I don't want to ruin the first computer that I have ever bought outright. (Nor do I want to have to reload Windows 7 again.) I also want to be able to run Microsoft Office (I despise OpenOffice, so this is not an option), other programs native to Windows, and iTunes. Anyone know how to do this correctly?

Start with Mint 8.

Why dual boot. Get VMware's Virtual Player 3.0 and install it as a virtual machine. Run them both. It is much safer and you almost have to work at borking your good windows install. Keep away from I think shared folders or such is all.


"Nor do I want to have to reload Windows 7 again."


Well, I have been playing with computers for a REAL long time. Get used to reloading.

As for MS products. Some can be run from wine or I forget the commercial version crossover office or something like that. You can't really say I never want to use MS OS and then say I need to use MS Apps. It may someday happen but not today.