How do i get linux on my desktop?
September 6th, 2010 | 
Author: I’ve had Windows 7 ultimate fo a while and want to continue to use it but i would also like to have linux on my computer as a secondary os. So how can i get both on my desktop without reinstalling windows 7?
I’ve had Windows 7 ultimate fo a while and want to continue to use it but i would also like to have linux on my computer as a secondary os. So how can i get both on my desktop without reinstalling windows 7?
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yeah! you can get it and use linux as secondary os.. moreover linux based operating systems are virus free and more stable then windows operating systems.. they are now having better graphical user interface… you can get ubuntu linux for free from here:
https://shipit.ubuntu.com/
all you have to do is just register and enter the valid address. they will send you the latest ubuntu linux os absolutely free of cost.
installing ubuntu does not affect windows 7 and doesn’t change anything in your existing os..
Add a second drive that is dedicated to the Linux derivative that you want. Just make sure you install to the correct drive. You might want to disconnect the Win7 drive to make sure.
3 alternatives:
1) Trivial soln.
Boot from a live distro CD/ DVD and never install till you’re sure.
2) non-trivial soln.
Get a new HDD, install clean linux distro on this disc. don’t touch your W7 HDD at all.
3) Complicated soln.
Use W7 to partition your HDD and create unused space. Then use linux to create the partitions your need for linux and install linux to them as required.
HTH
Hi,
Try Wubi, it is an installer for Linux Ubuntu that you run from within Windows 7. You download the application and run within Windows. I have used it for a friend in Vista with no problems. It sets it up for you so that you can dual boot into either Windows or Linux at boot time.
If you don’t like it then you remove it from the Add Remove Programs and its back to normal
http://wubi-installer.org/
This is an easy way to try Linux without any worries over your Windows installation but like others I would recommend any of the Linux live CDs such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, Mandriva and OpenSuse. Each of these will repartition your drive so that you can dual boot.
K
Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows using Wubi without partitioning
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi
You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.
Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.
Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 10.04 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.
Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu
Ubuntu 10.04 Download
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) User Guide
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Lucid
Linux Mint 9 which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed
Linux Mint 9 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52
Linux Mint 9 User Guide Download pdf.
http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.php
Ubuntu 10.04 and Linux Mint 9 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive
Also you can try out as many different Linux distros. as you like on LiveCD until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)
http://distrowatch.com/
Major Linux Distributions
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
LUg.
Start > (right click) computer > manage
in this new window select disk management
right click on the partition that has you windows os (usually by default the largest)
and select "shrink partition" so that 20 gigs remain which is more than enough for Linux.
make sure you have this partition unallocated (right click and delete)
download the iso image of the linux distro you wish, I suggest Linux Mint 9 or PClinuxOS
you can burn this image to a CD-R or download unetboot and use it to create a bootable flash drive (usb drive should be 1GB or more free and be formated to fat32)
but the media in and reboot. in your bios, go to the boot menu, and select the correct option (usb or optical drive)
Boot into the live edition, make sure you hardware works, then install.
tell the installer to install to "largest continuous free space"
boom, you are in a dual boot with linux.