Yeah... question about installing teh Linux.

[Kaysakado]

OK, so I understand you need to repartition your hard drive. Does that erase its data? Also, I have another operating system installed on this computer, so can I uninstall that OS and put Linux in its place, so I don't have to do the Repartitioning thing at all?

 

[Sonict]

OK, so I understand you need to repartition your hard drive. Does that erase its data?

Not if you do the partitioning correctly.

Also, I have another operating system installed on this computer, so can I uninstall that OS and put Linux in its place, so I don't have to do the Repartitioning thing at all?

Yes, you could do that.

Hopefully, someone else with better knowledge of linux can explain this stuff better than me. So for now, don't do anything yet.

 

[Kaysakado]

Thanks, but yeah, I should wait for someone to explain it a little better.

 

[JRose]

Try Linux Live first. Linux Live boots off of a CD, DVD, or Flash Drive and will not Install anything on your hard drive. So you do not mess up your hard drive. There are many different versions. I recommend trying Knoppix.

Knoppix
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

List of Linux Live CD
http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

Computer First Aid Using Knoppix
http://www.shockfamily.net/cedric/knoppix/

Knoppix Screenshots
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=617&num=1

 

[SSNTails]

If you're going to install it on a HD, I'd suggest just getting another HD and swapping them out.

Or just use another computer. That's what I'd do, anyhow.

 

[JRose]

If you're going to install it on a HD, I'd suggest just getting another HD and swapping them out.

Or just use another computer. That's what I'd do, anyhow.

You don't need to swap Hard Drives. You can have more than one hard drive. Install Linux on one hard drive and leave the other one alone. Or install Linux on an external hard drive.

 

[Blitzzo]

Most Linux LiveCDs have a partition editor on them that you can use to partition your hard-drive. I was able to partition my drive into three sections: a Windows-bootable section (NTFS), a Linux root section, and a third for shared data between the two (both using EXT3 - there is a download for Windows that allows it to recognize this filesystem).

Usually what you need to do is resize your Windows partition first, as on most configurations it takes up the entire drive. Typically, this will not cause any loss in data, though you may need to defragment your drive first. I personally had to run chkdsk and reboot Windows twice for the partitioner to allow me to resize. Also, it is a good idea for you to back-up whatever data you have on it before proceeding. While resizing the NTFS partition is fairly stable, there is a slight chance that it may mess up somehow and make that partition unbootable. Be sure to exercise good judgment, and remember that there are IRC/IM programs included on most LiveCDs, so you can always ask for assistance during the operation.

 

[SSNTails]

I guess I'm just a little paranoid about making a bunch of partitions with different filesystems on an HD, because if something explodes, it'll likely all go.