Installing Linux

[Meirdin]

Hi I've just been introduced to Linux this year in university but I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to hardware and such. So I have no idea which architecture I have on my computer and what to download to install Linux onto my machine. I have tried to read the manuals but none seem to help tell me what I really need. I'll be installing it as a second OS on my computer. I am running a intel i7 computer. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks.

[b2bwild]

You can install OS compiled for x86 / i686 or x86_64 / amd64 architechtures on Intel i7..

[rojoblandino]

See the properties in your MI_PC (Windows icon) look for the architecture your OS is using. if it is 32 bits so use the i686 but have in mind that your arch can be 64bits so tried it with a 64 bits disc install of windows or linux an it will tell you the truth from the beginning.

Explanation: You can have a 64bits architecture but could be sold a pc with 64bits and a 32bits OS installed on it, i have had that experience on 64bits laptops. so to check the right arch between 32 bits or 64 bits try to use the 64 bits if you got a mistake at the beginning it is 32bits arch because 64bits sistems can not be install under 32bits arch.

Ok have fun!