Nevakonaza

Hi all,

Im considering using Linux,Maybe ubuntu or somthing similar.

But how would i safely install linux on the same hard drive as i have Xp home on?

I dont wonna lose Xp because its an OEM version and i do not have the instal disk so if i mess up i cannot install it again right?

I wonna keep Xp for games and Linux for everything else.

I currently have a Seagate barracude 120Gb hard drive which has Xp home on + a recovery partion.

My system specs...

__________________
Core 2 Quad Q6600 GO @ 3.2Ghz-Asus Silent Knight II
MSI P35 Neo-F (45nm Ready) V1.9 Bios
Seagate Barracuda 250Gb Sata II
Western Digital Caviar 400GB Sata II
4GB OCZ PC2-6400C5 Vista Gold Series @ 856 Mhz
Asus Extreme 8800GT G92 512Mb with Glaciator cooler
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity 7.1
Sony 20X DVD±RW DL & DVD-RAM SATA
Icute Jet Turbine case blk (Modded)
Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit SP1|Kaspersky IS 2009

red onion

Good for you!

I would recommend either Suse 10.1, Ubuntu 6.06, or Kubuntu 6.06. all are good distributions.

You can use a tool like Partition Magic to repartition your HD. You would make your current partition smaller, and then create a new one for Linux.

I would recommend making a full backup, or a ghost image first.

The easy way would be to get a 10-20GB drive, and install Linux on that. No decrease in space, no worries about resizing partitions. HDs that size are available on eBay for almost giveaway prices. Cheaper than a copy of PM too!

During the install Linux will install a new boot loader on the Master Boot Record, and it will allow you to choose which OS to start at each reboot. Linux is usually very good about recognizing Windows. Just verify that Windows (or DOS) is an option when you get to the bootloader part of the install.

Have fun!

EDIT: You should be able to reinstall Windows via the copy on the recovery partition...that is why it is there

__________________
Main Rig: | 2nd Rig:
Windows XP/Vista | Ubuntu 8.04
ASUS P5QL-E | Gigabyte K8 Triton
Intel E8400 | Sempron 3300+
XFX 7600GT PCIe | Nvidia Gforce4 AGP
500 GB WD SATA | 160 GB WD SATA
160 GB WD SATA | 40 GB Hitachi
2 GB PC6400 | 512 MB PC2100
19" Samsung LCD | 17" Compaq 7500

Nevakonaza

Thanks,

Im gonna attempt it now

Gonna go with Ubuntu 6.06.

Thanks for your help.

__________________
Core 2 Quad Q6600 GO @ 3.2Ghz-Asus Silent Knight II
MSI P35 Neo-F (45nm Ready) V1.9 Bios
Seagate Barracuda 250Gb Sata II
Western Digital Caviar 400GB Sata II
4GB OCZ PC2-6400C5 Vista Gold Series @ 856 Mhz
Asus Extreme 8800GT G92 512Mb with Glaciator cooler
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity 7.1
Sony 20X DVD±RW DL & DVD-RAM SATA
Icute Jet Turbine case blk (Modded)
Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit SP1|Kaspersky IS 2009