what is the role of grub
 

hi
:Pengy: i m newbie can you tell me what happened
if i don't use gurb option during installation in case of dual booting XP and Linux

and what are web browser like firefox etc..
can i install linux from live knoppix cd also
list is so many just answer me to keep my journey towards linux more facinating.

thanking you

gurbax (india)

Grub is a bootloader (stands for GRand Unified Bootloader). If you don't install it, you need to make a bootdisk (setup may ask you to do this) or you will not be able to boot your Linux system. If you do install GRUB it may, depending on your configuration, overwrite your existing Windows bootloader. GRUB can boot several operating systems easily; if you want to use Windows bootloader instead (and load your Linux with it too), you'll need to do some extra configuration (install GRUB not to the MBR but to the beginning of a partition, then create an image of it and use that with Windows bootloader).

Web browsers? Well, they are the programs you usually use to browse the internet - that is, load some webpage like www.linuxquestions.org and so on. Other widely used web browsers are Opera, Internet Explorer, Mozilla (suite), ... you may install as many as you like, or just select one you prefer most.

It is possible to install Linux from a live-cd like Knoppix, but Knoppix (for example) is targeted as a live-cd only, and it's hardware installation is not something I'd recommend. Usually live-cds are not meant for harddisk installation, and the procedure may be problematic during or after the installation. Better stick to the distributions that are meant to be installed on harddisk - some of them do offer you a "live-cd" before you install, like Ubuntu for example (normal Ubuntu is a live-cd that contains an installer also).

Follow the link below for an article on booting. Also, look for Saikee (here at LQ) and read some of his things on booting. (Linked at my site also)

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