Dual boot, XP and Ubuntu, do I have to format my HD?

[LEVE]

On thing you need to remember with Dual Boot XP and Linux, and that is if you want to remove the Linux OS it is going to be difficult. It can be done but you'll have lots of steps to go through doing it.

The Newest Distribution of Ubuntu does let you install Ubuntu within Windows. In theory that should let you remove it from within windows, like any other program. I found that not to be true running the 64bit version.

 

[milje]

On thing you need to remember with Dual Boot XP and Linux, and that is if you want to remove the Linux OS it is going to be difficult. It can be done but you'll have lots of steps to go through doing it.

The Newest Distribution of Ubuntu does let you install Ubuntu within Windows. In theory that should let you remove it from within windows, like any other program. I found that not to be true running the 64bit version.

Would installing it within Windows cause it to run slower?


I was under the impression that if a computer is slow (because of a bunch of crap installed on it over the years), Ubuntu would run fast regardless because it has nothing to do with Windows (just hindered by old hardware).

 

[LEVE]

Linux has a learning curve; many don't want to invest the time to learn it. Then they decide to uninstall the OS; they muck it up and destroy their Windows OS in the process. So, Ubuntu attempted to do a wise thing by making install and uninstall easier.

If you really want Windows to fly... try installing a new Linux OS and VMWare. Then, install a virtual copy of the Windows OS. And, if you do it right, you can have the Windows OS die, and restore it and have it up and running in a matter of minutes. VMWare and Linux OS as a backbone are awesome. It's just that pesky learning curve.

 

[ejholmgren]

I would suggest going back to the mid '90s and installing Slackware 3.5. After you've sufficiently confused yourself, go and install the latest version of Ubuntu. Linux on the desktop has come a looooooooooong way.

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

Not to be an ass, but if you have to ask how to install Linux, then you probably shouldn't be trying to install it yourself. I'm not dissing your skills, but it's just really easy to screw up a Linux install.

 

[milje]

Backing up pictures sucks.....

 

[milje]

The ol' 3 AM Ubuntu install is done, everything seems to be working fine.

 

[DannyG]

On thing you need to remember with Dual Boot XP and Linux, and that is if you want to remove the Linux OS it is going to be difficult. It can be done but you'll have lots of steps to go through doing it.

Actually if you install it on a separate partition I have just used the Windows XP repair console to restore the windows MBR, it erases Grub and then you can delete the partition.

Normally I just blow my windows partition away and clean install Linux, I constantly have back ups of all my data so I don't really worry about losing things.