Questions about linux

Brokein2 · Post by **Brokein2** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:00 pm

I want to try linux but my only problem is that if i install it on my Windows XP media center addition PC can i take it off if i dont like it?

TomClancey · Post by **TomClancey** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:04 pm

You have to install it on a Virtual Machine unless you want to set it up as dual-boot.

Brokein2 · Post by **Brokein2** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:06 pm

:O How do i do this "dual boot"?

TomClancey · Post by **TomClancey** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:06 pm

Not sure, but a Virtual Machine is much easier (IMO). You can still use XP while using Linux at the same time, and it's free (If you use VMWare Server.)

Brokein2 · Post by **Brokein2** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:08 pm

Ok were can i get a Virtual machine?

TomClancey · Post by **TomClancey** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:10 pm

Google is your friend here. Just Google "VMWare Server".

Brokein2 · Post by **Brokein2** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:12 pm

Is it free? Also like what does it do?

Cryticfarm · Post by **Cryticfarm** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:14 pm

Yes it is free:
http://www.vmware.com/products/server/

Brokein2 · Post by **Brokein2** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:15 pm

Ok so what does it do?

G.I.R. · Post by **G.I.R.** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:18 pm

Its a virtual PC manager. Basically it lets you run an Operating System within an existing Operating System.

Brokein2 · Post by **Brokein2** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:18 pm

Ok cool..

a mammoth · Post by **a mammoth** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:36 pm

I'm a Linux nut (running ubuntu right now), heres what you do.

You download the latest you ubuntu distro, as of now, that's 7.04 feisty fawn. burn, then you can use it as a live CD, if you find you like it, you can install it on the same HDD as your windows. Which is really easy. With Ubuntu you can resize your windows partition if you have enough free space, installing on a seperate partition, then it will install GRUB boot manager, which you can choose between Ubuntu and Windows.

I love Ubuntu, I don't know exactly why, but I guess its because I got it free (duh) and the speed. Ubuntu has a slight learning curve, but its not to bad as long as you keep and open mind and not let the stereotypes of windows cloud your mind.

OwnZ joO · Post by **OwnZ joO** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:30 pm

Is abuntu a lot faster than windows?

Ar5eNiC · Post by **Ar5eNiC** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:32 pm

OwnZ joO wrote:Is abuntu a lot faster than windows?

It's Ubuntu, and yes it runs faster than Windows.

You can download the ISO for Ubuntu here, burn it to a CD, reboot and try Ubuntu without effecting your windows installation. If you like it, you can resize your Windows partition and install Ubuntu.

Veegie · Post by **Veegie** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:45 pm

It's Ubuntu, and yes it runs faster than Windows.

You forgot to specify under what conditions.

[cc]z@nd! · Post by **[cc]z@nd!** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:46 am

it's generally a lighter OS than windows, but i haven't had enough time with it to tell when it's slower.

oh, and if you want to burn the iso, you can't use windows' default burner, you've either got to download, install, and use imgburn, or something else that can burn images (maybe nero, but i'm not sure).

Geo · Post by **Geo** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:49 am

It's "generally lighter" because it doesn't have as many features...

D4rkFire · Post by **D4rkFire** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:52 am

iGeo wrote:It's "generally lighter" because it doesn't have as many features...

QFT.

Brokein2 · Post by **Brokein2** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:54 am

Cool thanks for the info but i still dont understand the double booting or whatever

FleetAdmiralBacon · Post by **FleetAdmiralBacon** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:02 pm

Dual booting allows you to split your hard drive into multiple partitions and put multiple OS's on it, or use multiple hard drives with multiple OS's. When you boot your computer, instead of, say, Windows starting up, you'll get a menu asking you which OS you want to use. It's fairly simple with the newest release of Ubuntu, you just need to know how to partition the the drive (which is still fairly simple, you can find tutorials on the ubuntu web site)

Also, Ubuntu is 2gb when installed, just like XP. Also, any features you want can be installed through a package installer, and it's extremely fast. It may not come with everything, but it's also meant to be portable and easy to use. Adding more features to a fresh install weighs things down.