Putting linux on my pc?

Question

Can someone tell me how to put linux on my sony vaio, and so I can boot windows and linux. I really want it, so can someone help me?

Answer 1

Yes, you can dual boot Linux. It is very easy and you don't need to buy any additional software, Linux distributions already come with everything you need to set up a dual boot computer.



I'm currently dual booting Windows XP and Xandros Linux 4.0. Before I got Xandros I was dual booting Windows XP and SuSe Linux 10.1.



I will walk you through the steps to dual boot your Windows XP system.



1. Windows must be installed on your hard drive first before you install another OS. This is because Windows will only take over the entire hard drive.



2. Disable Windows Virtual Memory.



3. Defrag your hard drive.



4. Put the Linux boot CD in your ROM drive.



5. Restart your computer.



6. Linux will analyze your system and suggest the number of partitions and partition sizes. Some like SuSe will suggest a Windows partition, a root partition, and a user or home partition. Others like Xandros will just create a Windows and a Linux partition.



7. Accept suggested partitions. Believe it or not Linux really does know best.



8. Finish installation and reboot.



9. After your PC goes through post you will see a screen that ask you what OS you would like to boot.



10. Use the arrows to select Linux or Windows. If you do not choose an OS after a few seconds you will automatically boot into Linux by default.



While it is true some installations of Linux are extremely hard to do, other distributions are as easy as selecting left or right handed mouse, keyboard layout, setting date and time and checking for updates.



SuSe took me a couple of hours to install. While Xandros was about 4 mouse clicks and a total of maybe 20 minutes.



The most recommended distributions for people migrating from Windows are:



Ubuntu: uses the Gnome desktop enviroment, is free to download, updates frequently, and is based on the very stable Debian Linux.

http://www.ubuntu.com



Kubuntu: same as above except it uses the KDE desktop enviroment.

http://www.kubuntu.com



Xandros: uses KDE, is based on Debian Linux, cost about $60 and comes with a users guide and stickers to place on your PC. The home Primium edition is packed with proprietary features and a security suite.

http://www.xandros.com



Mandriva: uses KDE, is based on Red Hat Linux, comes with Cedega (allows you to play Windows games), Kapersky Anti-Virus, and LinDVD (the only legal Linux DVD player), it comes in a Linux for beginners package with a manual for people new to Linux and a Linux poweruser package with a manual for advanced users. Figure spending about $40 for the beginner package, and between $70 - $90 for the powerpack.

http://www.mandriva.com



Linspire: uses KDE, has lots of free and commercial software. It is designed to look as much like Windows as possible. It was originally called Lindows until Windows sued them.

http://www.linspire.com



The KDE desktop is a Windows like enviroment. The Gnome enviroment is something different and is prefered by many advanced Linux users.



If you want to know more about Linux distributions go to http://www.distrowatch.com



If you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me and if I don't know something I can at least point you in the right direction.

Answer 2

in case you do no longer understand linux, i might advise attempting to repair windoze first - borrow an setting up CD, they might desire to no longer be that puzzling to locate. google the blunders message and XP (or regardless of distro you employ) and see the thank you to repair it - often a minor activity while in comparison with an entire reinstall.

Answer 3

you need to figure out which 'flavor' of linux you want. I recommend Ubuntu. Then decide if you really want to dual boot or just run it from the CD (yes, you can run it from the CD).



http://www.ubuntu.com/

Answer 4

Back up all of your data!



Insure that you have a XP Installation disk, not a Recovery Disk! Cannot do a clean install with a recovery disk! If you do not have a Windows CD with a valid registration number, you might as well buy one! You will always need it as long as you run Windows.



Be sure you have CD with all your laptop software and drivers before you start.



Copy all of your data to a DVD/CD.



READ THE SCREEN.



For the clean up and disk partitioning only!



Boot with Windows CD, Select New Install.



Delete ALL partitions. Create three partitions.

Two 20GB the third is the remainder of the disk drive. Reformat the second partition IN NTFS.

When the format completes. SHUT THE COMPUTER OFF! Your hard drive is now partitioned.



Boot up with Linux installation disk. Install into the second partition. install motherboard drivers and utilities from the motherboard CD.



Shut down system, Boot with Windows CD.



READ THE SCREEN!



Select new Install, Install if the first 20GB partition. DO NOT INSTALL IN THE SAME PARTITION WITH Linux.



Install Motherboard drivers and utilities. Install all software/drivers. Install Anti Virus and Firewall.

Go to www.microsoft.com and let this site update your windows installation!



You should now get a boot screen that allows you to chose the operating system. If not, view the URLS below!



Do not store any data in the same partitions with the operating systems! Store all data in the third partition. You will have to formant it in NTFS before you can use it.

Computer Help Page



http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ http://oss.netfarm.it/winpe/

http://www.paraglidernc.com/ http://www.bootcd.us/



VISTA Upgrade or Requirements



http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx



http://www.diskgenius.com/



http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm



http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm



http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm



http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/



http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html



http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm



http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm



http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1



http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder



http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html



http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html



http://www.theosfiles.com/



http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw



http://www.winternals.com/



http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html



http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml



http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp



http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm

Visit our Helpdesk for PC Bug Doctor

http://www.maximumsoftwaresupport.com

PC Beginner software

http://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

http://www.bootdisk.com/utility.htm

Chapter 1: Purchasing Components

Chapter 2: Component Overview

Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard

Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case

Chapter 5: Installing Drives

Chapter 6: Connecting Components

Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards

Chapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly

Chapter 9: Installing Windows XP

Chapter 10: Configuring Windows XP

Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)

Chapter 12: Home Video -- “So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?”

Chapter 13: What’s Next?



http://www.hardwareanalysis.com

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4007.html

http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/

http://www.free-pc-checkup.com/

http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=Googlebspeed

http://pcperformancetools.com/recovermyfiles.htm

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/...

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-100459...

http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/...

http://www.aarp.org/learntech/computers/...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using...

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co...



BUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:

www.directron.com

www.newegg.com



A Good PC Cleaner



http://www.pc-error-cleaner.com/?gclid=COzW8YTD0ogCFRL1YgodAD0pbg



NTFS Boot Disk:



http://www.ntfs.com/boot_disk_includes.htm



To place Active@ KillDisk Pro onto a floppy disk type the following at the command prompt:

COPY G:\KILLDISK.EXE A:

COPY G:\DOS4GW.EXE A:

The above assumes that the G:\ drive is the bootable CD-ROM drive and the A:\ drive is the floppy disk drive.

DOS4GW.EXE is a required file for Active@ KillDisk, Active@ UNERASER and Active@ Disk Image.



http://www.download.com/BartPE-Bootable-Live-Windows-CD-DVD/3000-2094_4-10611130.html