double boot with windows 7

[stcordero]

Hello, I'm running windows 7 - Lenovo thinkpad edge with 500 GB HD.
I'm planning to split the HD and install Linux + dual boot software.
What's your take on this since I'm a bit skeptic about splitting and using one part of the HD just for Linux.
Thanks,
Mk!

[David M]

People do this all the time. It's a great idea. I used to have a triple boot between XP and Vista 32 and Vista 64. No longer, I just wanted to see if I could do it.

The only downside I see is the drive space you will have remaining for each OS. It won't be a whole lot but I'm sure you already know that. It's probably safe to assume Windows 7 will eventually need as much as 50 Gigs as it bloats with each update. No idea about the size of Linux, which is smaller. The Windows partition will probably need to be a bit larger than the Linux partition.

[stcordero]

Originally Posted by David M People do this all the time. It's a great idea. I used to have a triple boot between XP and Vista 32 and Vista 64. No longer, I just wanted to see if I could do it. The only downside I see is the drive space you will have remaining for each OS. It won't be a whole lot but I'm sure you already know that. It's probably safe to assume Windows 7 will eventually need as much as 50 Gigs as it grows with each update. No idea about the size of Linux, which is smaller. The Windows partition will probably need to be a bit larger than the Linux partition.

I'm using 100 gb for Linux - I used a dual boot that doesn't take space with vista before cant remember the name now, but it was a nightmare to uninstall.
Either that or buy a new HD just for Linux
your ideas?
Mk

[strollin]

Another option would be to install something like Virtual Box which would allow you to run Linux in a virtual machine on your Win 7 desktop. The cool thing about it is that you can have both OSes running simultaneously.

Virtual Box is open source and free.

[David M]

Doesn't virtualization run apps slower? I don't know, just what I have heard. Never tried it.

[stcordero]

Originally Posted by strollin Another option would be to install something like Virtual Box which would allow you to run Linux in a virtual machine on your Win 7 desktop. The cool thing about it is that you can have both OSes running simultaneously. Virtual Box is open source and free.

Uhm, this might be like vmware?? I'll look into....
any thoughts about it?

[David M]

Unless you need to be running two OS's simultaneously, I would do a partition. Just my uneducated thoughts about it.

[glc]

You could also boot with a live Linux CD or DVD and run it from that without installing it on the hard drive.

[strollin]

Originally Posted by David M Doesn't virtualization run apps slower? I don't know, just what I have heard. Never tried it.

Yes, but with today's dual & quad core (and more) processors, gads of memory and almost limitless disk space, virtualization is a very viable method to run multiple OSes.

In the large software firm I work for, we have converted almost all of our physical test servers to virtual servers which has saved the company lots of money, fewer machines, less physical space, less air conditioning load, etc...

If you haven't tried virtual software you should before you talk it down.

You probably wouldn't want to use a VM for hard core gaming...