Converting Your OS
By TopDawg216
@TopDawg216 (24)
United States
January 19, 2007 7:48am CST
Have you ever done it? Are you thinking about it?
I ask because I've been giving some serious thought to switching from XP to Linux (not sure which distribution yet). The ideal situation for me would probably be a dual boot configuration
Here's the problem, though: I don't know if I can partition my hard drive.
This pretty much leaves me with two options. I can either throw caution to the wind and dive straight in by completely converting, or I can try to find someone willing to put the process into layman's terms.
SO HERE'S THE QUESTION(S):
1. Have you ever converted your OS?
What system did you use, and what did you convert to?
Did you have any problems? How did it go?
2. Are you thinking about converting?
What systems?
What are your concerns?
3. Do you want to teach someone how? :)
3 people like this
23 responses
@Chillingout (811)
• Italy
19 Jan 07
yeah. currently i have on my laptop windows and linux on different partitions ! When i start the computer i can either boot linux or windows !
I would recomend you Ubuntu ! It is a very easy to learn distribution of linux and it has a great comunity !
Also installing it is very easy with the grafical interface !
Give it a try !
@TopDawg216 (24)
• United States
19 Jan 07
I've heard a lot about Ubuntu lately. I checked out their site last week, and I was pretty impressed.
I'm looking for a build that is user-friendly, but still has ultimate functionality (I do a LOT of different stuff on the computer).
@dangerdvd (320)
• Italy
20 Jan 07
Usually, people use Windows because it is simply.-..but..Linux is the OS for people that love pc!! In the beginning, obviously, you'll a lot opf problem ihihi because Linux is so difficult..but.... after any month of use of Linux, you'll say of you: I AM THE BEST linuxian! HHHHAHAHAA
lol
@reptile84_2006 (228)
• Romania
19 Jan 07
I changed the operating system many times but the first versions of linux were not so good for home use so I comed back to windows.I had always use a separated partition for linux made with partition magic maker.The last time i had Windows XP and Ubuntu linux,ubuntu it's nice,and you can operate it without instaling it.This way you can see if you like it and then install it.But DON'T install that Lindows,it erased all my partion because my friend did'n told me that you must select some option to not erase your partions.And when the instalation was over i did't liked how it was working and uninstall it.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Jan 07
I have used several distributions of Linux and certainly recommend trying them, although I would suggest that a dual boot would be better than switching until you are sure. I also suggest trying more than one distribution, even if you are very happy with the first.
I run Linux on my laptop and Windows on my desktop, so I have never dual booted or had to resize a Windows partition with the OS installed. However, I see no problem for you because most distributions will offer you the option of resizing and partitioning prior to installation, and also prompt you for the choices.
1 person likes this
@arun_ce2006 (20)
• India
20 Jan 07
u have to make non-dos partition of your harddisk of size 1 gb then it will not be shown in tour xp portion but when you start instalation of linux it will use non-dos partition or if u havn't done partition linux itself ask u for that do not give full hard-disk space but just give 1 gb space then cd will install linux in that space then when u boot ur computer it will ask u from which os u want to boot? just select and enjoy.
1 person likes this
@gsnarayanan (1704)
• India
20 Jan 07
So far I havenot tried linux. after reading your post. I am thinking of going to linux. Let metry. Thanks.
@amitavroy (4819)
• India
20 Jan 07
no i have not done it. i have not mucn knowledge about linux so i decide against it and i think i am happy with windows. although if i know more about linux then i will have no problem to switch to linux.
@naveents (199)
• India
20 Jan 07
Many people have suggested Ubuntu. An excellent choice, I must say. But I would add one point to this. In Ubuntu, most of the packages have to be downloaded from net. Well, almost all multimedia tools have to be downloaded. Otherwise, you can download the DVD version of ubuntu. If you are planning to get the Ubuntu Install CD from them( They ship the install CD to You!!) then you need to download. The OS is great, with good GUI also. But I would recommend Red-Hat version 10. It comes with an 4 CD pack. It has everything that you need. An Excellent choice.
@arun_ce2006 (20)
• India
20 Jan 07
u have to make non-dos partition of your harddisk of size 1 gb then it will not be shown in tour xp portion but when you start instalation of linux it will use non-dos partition or if u havn't done partition linux itself ask u for that do not give full hard-disk space but just give 1 gb space then cd will install linux in that space then when u boot ur computer it will ask u from which os u want to boot? just select and enjoy.
@arun_ce2006 (20)
• India
20 Jan 07
u have to make non-dos partition of your harddisk of size 1 gb then it will not be shown in tour xp portion but when you start instalation of linux it will use non-dos partition or if u havn't done partition linux itself ask u for that do not give full hard-disk space but just give 1 gb space then cd will install linux in that space then when u boot ur computer it will ask u from which os u want to boot? just select and enjoy.
@arun_ce2006 (20)
• India
20 Jan 07
u have to make non-dos partition of your harddisk of size 1 gb then it will not be shown in tour xp portion but when you start instalation of linux it will use non-dos partition or if u havn't done partition linux itself ask u for that do not give full hard-disk space but just give 1 gb space then cd will install linux in that space then when u boot ur computer it will ask u from which os u want to boot? just select and enjoy.
@shreyasvista (174)
• India
20 Jan 07
yup I have 3 OS's in my sys and changing to Windows OS is dumb easy
@tanujbhargava (310)
• India
20 Jan 07
Yes .. Its easy..
I had both Windows as well as Linux on my hard disk .
And at the time of booting, I can select which operating system to use.
I didn't have any sort of problem then.
Now i am using Windows XP Service pack 2.
And I am satisfied with that!
@masterseifer_20 (50)
• United States
20 Jan 07
not really i good idea it iwll make your pc so slow but it'a up to you if you really love the enviroments of LINUX
@howlingdog (10)
• Australia
20 Jan 07
I became so sick of the problems associated with Windows XP that I did some research into Linux. I liked what I saw but was a little daunted by the use of the command line. However after a while and increasingly it has become more user friendly. I bought a 80gig hard drive so as to keep it completely separate from windows. I installed Red Hat and have been impressed with it. When you get used to it you will find it is a very stable platform with impressive applications that are constantly being improved by the Linux community. I do recommend that you read a few books on your choice of Linux and if possible take a beginners course. Go for and have fun.
