Total Linux Installation
 

I want to wipe out windows xp on my hard drive and put Linux throughout the hard drive. I want to know if it's wise to do so, especially the issue of using some windows-only driver program to update hardware driver programs, such as BIOS. Are there any windows xp "LiveCD" available so that I can use hardware updating programs with the LiveCD? Please give me some advice. Thank all of you so much!

You can create a windows/DOS boot-disk with the required program - the BIOS manual usually tells you how. Many BIOSs can be flashed independently of OS these days. To be safe, update the BIOS to the latest before erasing windows.

Linux doesn't rely on the firmware as much as certain legacy OSs do.

If you already use Free and/or Open Source software in windows, you should backup their data files to transfer later. It's not essential, but is handy.

And what else could there be?

So it is quite safe to totally erase windows - this is the preferred method of install. Just a pointer though - let the linux installer handle it. Do not try repartitioning with third-party tools. Even MS have touted linux tools for erasing HDDs.

I am quite happy with a Linux-only machine, and I run W2K in VMWare server (free) for those cases you describe.

jlinkels