Linux and Windows?

V-PV-P State College, PA Member
edited July 2006 in Science & Tech
I have windows and I wanted to give Linux a try, but I don't want to format my drive or anything. First, is there any free Linux Distros, and if there is what do I need to do to get them. Second, once I install it, will it operate as a second operating system, so I can still access Windows when I want to. And last, once I get Linux, can I still access my windows files through it.

Comments

  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    SCAR wrote:
    I have windows and I wanted to give Linux a try, but I don't want to format my drive or anything. First, is there any free Linux Distros, and if there is what do I need to do to get them. Second, once I install it, will it operate as a second operating system, so I can still access Windows when I want to. And last, once I get Linux, can I still access my windows files through it.

    They're all free - except RedHat where you're really paying for the support. Check out this thread where I was looking for a distro to choose.

    Most linux distros have the capability of repartitioning your HDD during install so that your Windows install stays intact. You'll want to back up your stuff first, just in case, but usually it works just fine. Then after the linux install, you get a bootloader that lets you choose either OS during boot.

    Once Linux is installed, you can still mount your NTFS partition and access the files, but support for writing to an NTFS file system was just added to Linux - last week I think. So the reliability isn't exactly rock solid, and it probably won't install with the OS right off the bat. You can still play your music files and whatnot though.
  • V-PV-P State College, PA Member
    edited July 2006
    GHoosdum wrote:
    They're all free - except RedHat where you're really paying for the support. Check out this thread where I was looking for a distro to choose.

    Most linux distros have the capability of repartitioning your HDD during install so that your Windows install stays intact. You'll want to back up your stuff first, just in case, but usually it works just fine. Then after the linux install, you get a bootloader that lets you choose either OS during boot.

    Once Linux is installed, you can still mount your NTFS partition and access the files, but support for writing to an NTFS file system was just added to Linux - last week I think. So the reliability isn't exactly rock solid, and it probably won't install with the OS right off the bat. You can still play your music files and whatnot though.

    Okay, well say I get it and I dedide I don't want it anymore, then can I format that partition (the one with linux) without messing up the windows one, and would this format be done normally, just like when you have windows.
    So it's either Gentoo or Ubuntu. What do you seuggest for a beginner like me?

    http://distrocenter.linux.com/
    WOW too many.
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited July 2006
    I'm planning to try Ubuntu out myself when i get back in from the wellsite. I have an extra hard drive that I plan to use the Linux install myself. That way I shouldn't mess anything up with the present Win2K pro os on that machine.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    Doing it mudd's way makes going back easy if you don't like Linux. If you have them on one HDD, you can repartition through Windows and blow away Linux just like that, but I'm not sure what would happen to the bootloader.

    Personally, I'm using Kubuntu. I'd recommend either Ubuntu or Kubuntu as a first Linux install to try. It's literally the easiest OS install I've ever done. Much simpler than Windows, in fact.
  • V-PV-P State College, PA Member
    edited July 2006
    GHoosdum wrote:
    Doing it mudd's way makes going back easy if you don't like Linux. If you have them on one HDD, you can repartition through Windows and blow away Linux just like that, but I'm not sure what would happen to the bootloader.

    Personally, I'm using Kubuntu. I'd recommend either Ubuntu or Kubuntu as a first Linux install to try. It's literally the easiest OS install I've ever done. Much simpler than Windows, in fact.
    I'm burning Ubuntu at the moment. While that works, can you guys recommend an easy bootloader and how to install it.
  • jhenryjhenry California's Wine Country
    edited July 2006
    It will automatically install GRuB, just say yes when it asks you at the end of the installation.

    It will also add your Windows entries for you, so you don't have to worry about that.
  • V-PV-P State College, PA Member
    edited July 2006
    I tried linux. I didn't really like it. Oh well, back to windows.
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    That was quick. I really like linux. What was it that turned you away, the UI, if so, then it takes some time to get used to it.
  • fingerflingerfingerflinger Ohio
    edited July 2006
    Ubuntu really seems to be represented here! I use it, too. Ha ha.
    SCAR wrote:
    I tried linux. I didn't really like it. Oh well, back to windows.
    Scar, if you haven't already gotten rid of the Linux install, I really think you should give it another chance. I can't remember where I heard this but, "You can't expect Linux to be just a free version of Windows." When you think about it, that kind of mentality puts Windows up on a pedestal. But we're looking for a better OS than Windows, right? If you keep an open mind and accept that the two have differences, you'll have a much better experience with Linux.

    I once read a great article that might get you pumped for Linux, I'll try and dig it up for you.

    :edit: Found the article. Hope you give it another shot. http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm
  • drasnordrasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    You should try Knoppix before drawing any verdicts. Knoppix is a LiveCD distro that doesn't use the hard drive for anything and has a fairly complete set of desktop software. Like Ubuntu, it's based on Debian so anything you see there is possible with Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and Debian. If you've never used Linux before and want to see what it can do given some time installing and configuring I'd highly reccommend it.

    -drasnor :fold:
  • drasnordrasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    GHoosdum wrote:
    Once Linux is installed, you can still mount your NTFS partition and access the files, but support for writing to an NTFS file system was just added to Linux - last week I think. So the reliability isn't exactly rock solid, and it probably won't install with the OS right off the bat. You can still play your music files and whatnot though.
    The NTFS kernel driver doesn't support writes in a very useful fashion. It can overwrite a file provided the file size doesn't change, but that's about it. However, the ntfsprogs package provides full NTFS read/write support similar to the dosfsutils package in userspace. The utilities in there are best compared to the capabilities of something like PartitionMagic; e.g. within the utility you can write files to the NTFS volume but you can't mount the NTFS volume on your Linux filesystem and expect it to behave nicely the way kernel FS drivers work.

    -drasnor :fold:
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    That's one thing that boggles my mind, after all these years of NTFS, what on earth is stopping somebody from finally writing a reliable, perfect NTFS kernel driver for linux? Is it some technical impossibility?
  • V-PV-P State College, PA Member
    edited July 2006
    fingerflinger wrote:
    Ubuntu really seems to be represented here! I use it, too. Ha ha.

    Scar, if you haven't already gotten rid of the Linux install, I really think you should give it another chance. I can't remember where I heard this but, "You can't expect Linux to be just a free version of Windows." When you think about it, that kind of mentality puts Windows up on a pedestal. But we're looking for a better OS than Windows, right? If you keep an open mind and accept that the two have differences, you'll have a much better experience with Linux.

    I once read a great article that might get you pumped for Linux, I'll try and dig it up for you.

    :edit: Found the article. Hope you give it another shot. http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

    I didn't get rid of it. I was almost positive that one of you guys would convince me to try it again, so it's still there, but I think I'm sticking with windows at the moment. Also, this is a family computer, and I may be able to get used to Linux, but I don't think everyone else will.
    EDIT: I forgot, but I formatted the Linux partition with Partition Magic, so if I want to use it, I'm gonna have to install it again. One thing I noticed though, is that after installing Linux, the Windows partition still had about 40 GB of free space left, and the Linux partition had about 70 GB of free space, yet they were both running slow as hell. I tried to turn on Winamp and AIM Triton on in windows, and it froze and I had to end both through task manager. Maybe when I get a laptop for myself when I go to college I'll give Linux a real chance. I don't want two operating systems on 1 machine. Three years till college and man I'm looking forward to it.
  • V-PV-P State College, PA Member
    edited July 2006
    SCAR wrote:
    I didn't get rid of it. I was almost positive that one of you guys would convince me to try it again, so it's still there, but I think I'm sticking with windows at the moment. Also, this is a family computer, and I may be able to get used to Linux, but I don't think everyone else will.
    EDIT: I forgot, but I formatted the Linux partition with Partition Magic, so if I want to use it, I'm gonna have to install it again. One thing I noticed though, is that after installing Linux, the Windows partition still had about 40 GB of free space left, and the Linux partition had about 70 GB of free space, yet they were both running slow as hell. I tried to turn on Winamp and AIM Triton on in windows, and it froze and I had to end both through task manager. Maybe when I get a laptop for myself when I go to college I'll give Linux a real chance. I don't want two operating systems on 1 machine. Three years till college and man I'm looking forward to it.
    Okay, I'm actually surfing in Linux right now. Somehow, even though I formatted the partition, Linux survived. Anyway, I hate how flash player doesn't work in linux. And also, does anyone know where I go after installation to get rid of the "OEM" username and make a different one?
  • drasnordrasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    I guess with all these Ubuntu questions and me breaking Gentoo on my Athlons now would be a good time to build a Kubuntu box. I don't know SCAR, but if you're still stumped tomorrow afternoon I'll have an answer for you, I hope.

    -drasnor :fold:
  • jhenryjhenry California's Wine Country
    edited July 2006
    Flash works just fine for me. How did you install it on your system?
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    It should just be a plugin for firefox.
  • drasnordrasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    Flash doesn't work for AMD64 arches. Adobe hasn't released a player yet. The firefox plugin is based on the official flash player.

    -drasnor :fold:
  • jhenryjhenry California's Wine Country
    edited July 2006
    Oh, I see.

    Should have downloaded an IA32 arch...
  • fingerflingerfingerflinger Ohio
    edited July 2006
    SCAR wrote:
    Okay, I'm actually surfing in Linux right now. Somehow, even though I formatted the partition, Linux survived. Anyway, I hate how flash player doesn't work in linux. And also, does anyone know where I go after installation to get rid of the "OEM" username and make a different one?

    Go to Macromedia's website and follow the instructions for the manual install. It should work right away, after that's done.
  • nrwilknrwilk The FTC
    edited July 2006
    V|P wrote:
    http://distrocenter.linux.com/
    WOW too many.

    That's nothing.

    Check here: distrowatch

    :eek3::wtf::)
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