Where to put Linux?

ManannanMacLir

I currently have Vista 64-bit as my desktop OS but I want to learn how to work with Linux. My question is should I just partition my current drive since it has about 200 gb free and then choose what OS to boot into at start-up or get a new drive specifically for Linux? I dont want a replacement OS, more of a learning environment. Also, I'm thinking Fedora. Good choice? Thanks!

feylya

Have a look at running a virtual machine under Vista. Virtual Box is good and free https://www.virtualbox.org/

That way, you run zero risk of screwing up your current install.

AnCatDubh

ManannanMacLir wrote: »

Should I just partition my current drive since it has about 200 gb free and then choose what OS to boot into at start-up or get a new drive specifically for Linux?

feylya wrote: »

Have a look at running a virtual machine under Vista. Virtual Box is good and free https://www.virtualbox.org/

both the above are workable solutions. I'm doing both (on different machines). The virtual box option will allow you to try a number of linux variants with no major overhead and with them coexisting with your vista install.

bobbytables

+1 for Virtualbox in this situation.

If you just want some experience with various Linux distributions, then just create about a 20Gb dynamic hard disk for each VM, mount an ISO & install. You don't need to throw all your free space at a vm in one go.

1Gb of ram for Linux will suffice, obviously more is better. If you've less than 4gb of ram in total, then I would give the vm idea a skip and consider the dual boot option. Many will disagree with me here, but I have a machine with just Linux on an ssd, 8gb of ddr3 & a 2500k and only now i am happy with boot times & general usage. I am a very impatient fecker when it comes to PCs, hence why I stay away from windows altogether.

U_Fig

why not just get say a 4 - 8GB USB drive and install it as a live OS with persistant changes.. use this tool here http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/

after you download an iso i did this with ubuntu...it runs off the USB so you can take it to any computer and all changes are saved if you tick the option to create a persistant file for saving changes..i've also done this with backtrack so it should work with any linux OS and any comp that can boot off USB...

Johnboy1951

I would say that a second HDD separate from Windows is a good idea.
Make sure that the Linux boot loader is written to the MBR of the Linux drive.

Then when booting, hit whatever magic key your PC supports to get to the boot selection .... and select the Linux drive.
You need do nothing to boot Windows ..... as its drive should remain the preferred boot drive.

VBox is great ..... but it does not necessarily give a real experience. It is very suitable for testing out different distros, but I recommend running the OS on real hardware and not virtual hardware.
It does have the advantage of it not being necessary to reboot to get into Linux .... but you do need to allocate sufficient resources to the guest to make it operate well.

I have used LiveUSB installs for some years, and they too have their advantages ... mainly that of portability.

Of course partitioning your present HDD is also an option .... but you need to know what you are doing as it can be easy to mess things up.

Lots of choices ...... but the most realistic IMO is a second HDD. You can even disconnect the present HDD while doing the install of Linux, to be sure you don't interfere with anything there.

Fedora would not be my choice of a first distro for anyone. I would suggest something more easier to manage and more familiar to a Windows user ..... something like PCLinuxOS, Mepis or Mint ....... but preferably with a KDE DE.

Good luck

U_Fig

just remembered about WUBI (Windows-based UBuntu Installer) it will allow you to install Ubuntu inside of windows... it installs Ubuntu inside windows like any other program but allows the user to boot into Linux rather than windows upon startup just like if it was on a dedicated partition.. and if you need to you can uninstall it just like any other program.

An Ri rua

U_Fig wrote: »

just remembered about WUBI (Windows-based UBuntu Installer) it will allow you to install Ubuntu inside of windows... it installs Ubuntu inside windows like any other program but allows the user to boot into Linux rather than windows upon startup just like if it was on a dedicated partition.. and if you need to you can uninstall it just like any other program.

This is the route I opted for today on my old trusty Inspiron 1300 running XP SP3. However, I hadn't planned on their being a wifi drivers issue. Which there is indeed for 1300s and other Dells with Broadcom chipsets. I have found a fix for it (via USB stick rather than wired net access as I only have mifi) and trying to coax this lardy laptop to stay lit for long enough (dodgy screenlight, needs fixing) so that we can accomplish the accomplishable together.... (ps I am surprised that this MSI U135DX has played ball for the sum total of this post; its taken to freezing in the last 2 days....) Sigh.

bonzodog2

I'll put in a mention for YUMI, currently running Backtrack5 from a 4GB microSD card and USB adapter on a Dell Inspiron 1501, it supports many distros
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/