[Help - Linux] Install questions

[BiggSam]

I'm planning on installing linux on my machine(it meets reqs), but I'm wondering if i can backup my HD, partition it, install linux, then reinstall Vista on the partition. Anyone thats computer savvy i would really appreciate the assist.

[FlashD]

There is a much easier way to do it.
Use the Disk Management in Vista's Computer Management (you can find it in the Administrative Tools folder) to shrink the partition (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Can-I-repartition-my-hard-disk), then install Linux.

[BiggSam]

sweet, thanks...I was thinking you had to erase and start over(i don't think you can shrink the partition on XP, which is what I'm used to

[Eris]

On partition resizing: When it works, which is most of the time, it's fine. But those few instances that it doesn't work (which happens every now and then), your windows partition is most likely completely unrecoverable. Which is why you must
MAKE HELLA CERTAIN TO BACKUP YOUR CONTENT BEFORE FIDDLING WITH THE PARTITION SIZE, OR ANYTHING EVEN REMOTELY CONNECTED TO YOUR PARTITION TABLE!!!

[BiggSam]

Thanks lol, i got a half-terrabyte hard drive and backed up before I installed. It's working great and thanks for the advice!

[ven]

i am planing to installed Linux,from where i can installed it on line does anyone can help me out in this regards,please let me more informed about it.

[Eris]

You can download ubuntu for free here --> http://www.ubuntu.com/

[Shin Natsume]

Heh, it's not that hard. These days it's as easy as 1,2,3. Download Pendrive Universal USB Installer (http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/). Select the Distro and install it to a USB device. After that, put it in and reboot. You can test out the OS without making any changes first. Ubuntu even includes a partitioning software that will do virtually everything for you if you decide to dual-boot. I've got Vista(32 bit) Home Premium dual booted with Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a user friendly distro with (mostly) everything working right out of the box.

[apandhi]

I suggest ubuntu. Its a great free open source linux distro. You can manage your partitions from the installer and resize it and all. You can even create a live usb drive so you can have it where ever you go. See link in Eris's post above

[Killapac]

You can install Linux Mint inside of windows