Linux Dual Boot

[KvickFlygarn87]

So, I'm considering dualbooting Linux (or more specifically, Ubuntu). How would I go through with this?

[szputnyik]

Install windows, install ubuntu on a new partition, when the installation asks about installation type, choose the option that's closest to install ubuntu on a new partition, and most likely it will put a menu in the MBR, from which you can choose windows or linux when you start your computer.

[KvickFlygarn87]

Is it recommendable to do a backup? I have nothing super valuable on the computer, but still, if **** hits the fan I'd rather not lose all my stuffz.

[szputnyik]

Yeah, make a backup first, better to be safe...

[pxi]

Is it recommendable to do a backup? I have nothing super valuable on the computer, but still, if **** hits the fan I'd rather not lose all my stuffz.

Yes.

You can probably get an external drive for €50-100 that will hold most everything you have. This is good practice regardless of completely re-configuring your PC. Always have *at least* two copies of your data, or you may not have your data at all.

[Seret]

Download Ubuntu and put it on a disk or usb stick, instructions for that are on ubuntu.com. You can boot up into that and give it a try before you change anything. Once you're happy hit the install button and the installer will walk you through it. It's easy, and you can even surf the internet while it installs.

If you have any specific questions try ubuntuforums.org or askubuntu.com.

[Unit327]

Just download the ISO image, burn it to a DVD, then boot your computer from the DVD drive and follow the instructions. It will ask you if you want to nuke windows and use all the hard drive space, or if you want to install ubuntu alongside windows and keep everything intact.

I can say with 95% confidence that you won't lose any of your files or your windows partition, but back them up anyway, hard drives are ticking time bombs just waiting to fail.

[BigFatStupidHead]

You should find Ubuntu very friendly towards setting up a dual boot. However, there are several other good distro's out there if, like me, you find Ubuntu a little... ugly. Mint is Ububtu based, and very good. Lesser known is Pinguy, but when I used it, I found it to be very well made, and preloaded with almost everything I needed.