Is it safe to install the Linux Mint 12 KDE RC to my hard drive?

Question

I want to dual boot WIn7 and Linux Mint 12 KDE RC on my hard drive. I have enough space and I know how to partition, I just want to know if it is safe since it is a RC and not the actual release.

Answer 1

I'm not sure about the RC part, but if you do a dual boot with Linux and Windows and decide later that you no longer want Linux on there then you will have to go through the trouble of fixing your MBR in order for Windows to boot. I've done this before with BackTrack 4R2 and Windows 7.

Answer 2

I cannot comment on the RC of Linux Mint 12 KDE but I do know the RC of Linux Mint 12 GNOME was horrendous so based on this I would hang on until the Final Release which is not far off now

http://community.linuxmint.com/iso



Dual-booting Linux Mint 10 KDE and Windows 7

http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2011/02/24/dual-booting-linux-mint-10-kde-and-windows-7/





LUg.

Answer 3

I have dual booted Windows and different Linux distribution for the past two years without too many issues involved, but recently made the decision to only use and boot Linux from an external hard drive only. I can take my Linux any where that has a computer that you can click on the boot menu when it is booting up. Second it does not interfere with some one Else's computer or their hard drive and third I don't have to try to remove it from an existing hard drive sharing dual boot. Some thing to really consider. But when I install to an external hard drive, I make sure the internal hard drive is not connected while I do this. Linux when you install brings up the partition menu. Install side by side, use the whole hard drive or custom when you decide on the partitions yourself. I don't recommend side by side, this splits the hard drive in half and that may not be something you really want to do. I keep my Linux at 20GB which is more than enough for the thing I do, if I am dual booting. External hard drives I allow it to use the whole hard drive.

Answer 4

Short version: yes.



A project like Linux Mint is actually just a combination of a whole bunch of different software programs stuck together. Mint doesn't really write most of what's in there. All of the software in the RC has been thoroughly tested, just not in that combination. And in general, release candidates are pretty safe to install.

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry about it. I've run Debian TESTING for years and never had a problem. An RC is almost ready to go, unlikely you'd have any real issue with it.