Try Fedora

[dtang1]

Hi everyone,

I just got my new dual core laptop and would like to try LINUX. But I want to keep the Window Vista. Can I use both Window and Linux in the same PC (one at a time)?

Last time when I installed Fedora 5 all of my data and Window XP dispeared!

Dan Tang

[wdgiles]

Any time you are changing partitions and installing an operating system, be prepared to reinstall everything. Be sure all your data is backed up to another device. Then FC6 *should* install without any problems and configure itself for dual-boot.

[bman]

Having both Windows and Linux on your computer is called dual booting. Search for dual boot on this forum. Google it as well. Its very easy to do.

You can't have both Linux and Windows running at the same time (if that was your question?). The are operating systems and as such they require sole control over your hardware (CPU, HD etc.) to function. You choose the OS you want to use on boot up.

[dtang1]

Thanks, bman,

I just want run a OS at a time.

My reading from your anwser is yes. I'll google dual boot and let you know what I find.

Thanks again.

[AlexDudko]

That's very easy! Just make 4 logical volumes on your HDD with windows, on one of them leave your windows the others format while installing FC6 as linux volumes. The best way I think is /, /swap, /home. Format the latter but not your windows volume!!!!! Enjoy! And read also FAQ!

[Dan]

First things first!

First you need to download and burn to CD the gparted live CD ( http://gparted.sourceforge.net/ )

Boot from the CD you created, and use it to shrink your Vista partition and therefore provide open space to put Fedora on. Just leave the free space you create as un-partitioned space. Then, reboot with the Fedora install disk, (disk1.iso) and when you install Fedora, tell the installer to use the unpartitioned space, and then do a default install. Do not select extras nor set up other repos. You can do all that later. Then your install should only take (2) disks. The rest of the software needed or wanted can then be added via repos to get the very latest and greatest.

If you need more information, search the forum for "dual boot" and it will return a ton of information.

Hope it helps.

Dan

[parish]

You can't have both Linux and Windows running at the same time (if that was your question?).
This is simply not true. I run both FC6 and XP at the same time via vmware, as do many others. I see that the OP is only interested in running one OS at a time, so it may not be relevant to them, but I wanted to correct this misinformation for others who may want to run both.

Daniel

[dtang1]

Thanks, TangeldWeb,

I searched "dual boot". The info is less than you'd expect.

My new Acer has 2 60-gig hard drives (on 1 hard disc). I guess I could just install Fedora 6 in drive D?

Anything I should do to safe guard my Vista? The vendor does not even ship a backup OS CD with machine any more.

[Dan]

Welcome to Acer's idea of customer service! Check closely to make sure there is nothing important on that D: drive. The gparted liveCD will give you a more accurate overview of the drive. I suspect there is a recovery partition on there somewhere. You don't want to bother that either.

If there's nothing on that D: partition, and you have enough remaining space on the C: for document and project storage, then the D: drive is a good suspect for Fedora, but check it close first. I've not yet messed a Vista. Proceed with caution.

<...:)...>

[wdgiles]

Be careful with that secondary drive - it is likely the restoration partition for your windows installation. If it was mine, I'd invest in a secondary drive and install Fedora there to be sure I didn't lose that installer. At least until you're comfortable with Fedora, then I'd wipe it clean for storage space. :D

Is there an echo in here? sorry didn't read the post above before I started typing....

[ajamison]

Thanks, TangeldWeb,

I searched "dual boot". The info is less than you'd expect.

My new Acer has 2 60-gig hard drives (on 1 hard disc). I guess I could just install Fedora 6 in drive D?

Anything I should do to safe guard my Vista? The vendor does not even ship a backup OS CD with machine any more.
they will be happy to send you a backup CD (or DVD as Vista is on dvds) but they will most likely charge you something between $20-40 and only within the first 30 days of purchase ususally.

Good luck though I had an Acer laptop and it sucks big time it runs so hot it almost feels like you have the damn stove on instead of a laptop.