You can also use a free partition utility called partition logic. It works much like partition magic, but it's free! Also many distros have their own disk utility. Just be careful not to delete or overwrite your windows partition. When you install Linux, it should set up the boot loader (aka grub) with an OS option menu by itself. There is your dual boot. freespire/Mepis/Ubuntu do this well.
--- In [email protected], Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Tue, Oct 17, 2006 at 03:38:35AM +0000, dhoward66201 wrote: > > > > 1. Can anyone tell me how to set up a dual boot? > > > > > > > I haven't been following the thread, however, in general, the easiest > way is to install Windows first. Then, install Linux. Let's say you're > going to use Ubuntu. During installation, it will, when it comes time > to install the boot loader, almost certainly detect the Windows system. > It will then automagically set up its bootloader (called Grub) to also > boot Windows. > > If you install Windows second, it's a little trickier. Windows will > overwrite the MBR. With many distros (which probbably includes Ubuntu) > you can boot from the CD, choose some sort of rescue option, and > reinstall Grub in the MBR. Anothero option is to use Gag which can be > put on a CD or floppy, and either use the CD or floppy to boot or can be > installed in the hard drive. > > None of this is horribly difficult, but to write about it when you might > not need it is trivial, so let us know the situation--that is, will you > install Windows first, is it too late for that, etc. > > > > > > > 2. There does not seem to be a lot of software out there, even > > free, for the Linux operating system. How can I find it? > > > In Ubuntu, you can use their synaptic program which gives (I think--I > don't use Ubuntu, I've only played with it) a listing of software > divided by category. There are also various lists around of Linux > equivalents to MS software. There really is quite a bit available, what > things seem to be lacking? Ubuntu is based on Debian, which has one of > the largest collections of software. > > > > > 3. Do you have to install software for your particular version of > > Linux or will all software labeled "Linux" run? > > > Heh. Theoretically the latter, however, especially when you're new, it > can be non-trivial. For example, Ubuntu doesn't include the program > called make, which is necessary for compiling software (though make can > easily be installed.) > > > In general, especially when you're a newcomer, you're better off > sticking to software packaged for your distribution. In Ubunutu's case, > especially with its great popularity, almost any software created for > Linux will probably have an Ubunutu package. (Not always, of course, > but almost all of the more popular software will have such a package.) > > Different distributions do use different types of packaging--for > example, you probably won't be able to install an Ubuntu package > (probably created as a .deb file, IIRC) on RedHat, nor a RedHat .rpm > file on Ubuntu. > > > -- > > Scott Robbins > > PGP keyID EB3467D6 > ( 1B48 077D 66F6 9DB0 FDC2 A409 FA54 EB34 67D6 ) > gpg --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --recv-keys EB3467D6 > > Xander: I laugh in the face of danger. Then I hide until it > goes away > To unsubscribe from this list, please email [EMAIL PROTECTED] & you will be removed. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LINUX_Newbies/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LINUX_Newbies/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
