Linux dual boot [Archive]

jack10525

04-19-2006, 07:15 PM

Ok I'm bored with Windows XP Pro. Can I install Linux and dual boot. The host computer will be my laptop. It only has a 40 gb Hhd that XP occupies. Only one partition. Can I put Linux on top of this or is it a bad idea? I don't want to have to reinstall windows. What about partition magic?

RRS

04-27-2006, 11:10 PM

One of my machines has Ubuntu 5.10 installed with XP Home on a 40g hard drive, no problem.

Partitions are 15g each for the OS's and another 10 formatted as FAT32 for file sharing between them.

Most Linux installation CDs have a built-in partitioning tool. Unless you've had some experience using another program it's best to use the installers, I've also heard rumors that Partition Magic has some problems with Linux, not sure of the others mentioned in glc's link.

Before commiting to an installation I'd suggest a Live CD from a couple different systems so you can narrow you choices and test for hardware compatibility.

I'm currently running the Beta of Ubuntu's next release (Dapper Drake) on my primary machine and haven't booted Windows for a couple weeks.