how do i go about formatting my desktop and installing linux?
September 2nd, 2010 | 
Author: i’m planning on fixing up and making use of a pretty old desktop computer in my basement and i’m pretty sure i’m gonna need to format the whole thing and reinstall windows xp. but i’d much rather have linux over xp. i’m not too knowledgeable about computers and i’m not really sure where to start. any ideas?
Posted in Q&A | 
Tags: computers, desktop computer, Gonna Need, installing linux, linux, linux xp, reinstall windows, Reinstall Xp, windows xp
You can format your drive during the installation of most Linux distros.
I thoroughly recommend Ubuntu 9.04
Performance is exceptional.
Ubuntu 9.04 Download
http://releases.ubuntu.com/releases/9.04/
Ubuntu 9.04 Technical overview
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/JauntyJackalope/TechnicalOverview
The most outstanding feature for me is having the ability to convert the conventional ext3 filesystem to ext4 which further enhances performance
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1118295
The Perfect Desktop – Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-ubuntu-9.04
Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) User Guide
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Jaunty
Also well worth considering are Fedora 11 and Linux Mint 6
FEDORA
Fedora 11 Download
http://fedoraproject.org/get-fedora
The Perfect Desktop – Fedora 11 (GNOME)
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-fedora-11-gnome
LINUX MINT
Linux Mint 6 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=31
The Perfect Desktop – Linux Mint 6 (Felicia)
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-6-felicia
LUg.
Get a copy of the Linux OS you want on disc, I recommend Ubuntu for beginners. Boot the computer from the CD drive and it should have a wizard to guide you through the set-up.
Are you going to use Linux Ubuntu?
The CD is free, you can order 1 with free shipping on their website.
Just boot up the computer with the CD in, and it should boot from the CD. The software will take care of any neccessary formating/partitioning.
Its pretty step-by-step if you follow along the CD.
All you have to do is obtain a Linux CD (which is quite easy to do on any of the distribution websites) then put it in your computer and restart. When the computer turns back on, choose "Try without any change to my computer" or "install" and after the boot, or after you choose "install" make sure (after a couple other choices) you choose to use the entire hard drive. This will get rid of Windows XP and it will automatically format to your new OS. Hope this helps : )