Debian is like ubuntu, it will keep windows 7 and make a dual bootmenu

[Matthiew]

Hi everybody,

I want to install Debian and I already have windows 7 on the computer. Ubuntu automatically install a dual book menu and do not get rid of anything of windows 7. Debian does the same ?

[oz]

The Debian installer will overwrite your Windows partitions during the installation only if you direct it to do so.

You can find the installation manual for Debian here:

Debian squeeze -- Installation Guide

[Matthiew]

Umm ok, I understand. Thanks

[dE_logics]

But remember, you'll boot to the command line after installation and you need extensive configuration.

There is a graphical installer, just download the first DVD.

I've made a Debian based OS for general computing which I maintain (it has all firmware and non free stuff preinstalled so requires minimal intervention). If you want I may send a link to download it.

Alternatively there's Debian Mint which does the same but is missing a few critical components.

[Matthiew]

I've try the live dvd of Debian and it work, gnome I mean. No thanks for the offer, I prefer the official stuff, because of the support I could need. For example, how I could find a solution to the problem I got with debian live cd : the mouse speed of my laptop pad-mouse is not enough fast. And even at the fastest settings, it still slow to the point of going back to windows asap. I mean, how could I find a solution to this without a huge community.

[dE_logics]

The thing that I provide is with official Debian packages.. nothing from outside. Same is for Mint. Anyway, your choice.

[BoDiddley]

Installing to a blank partition that does not include Windows is an entirely separate matter. Certainly, you know enough to not overwrite Windows. I have WindowsXP. Parted Magic has a Live Boot CD. You can resize a partition to make a empty partition. The problem I had was that XP's partition is flagged with an error (fake error) that prevents you from resizing. I actually reformatted, and reloaded Windows giving it a partition size that was not the full disk. The remaining space is available to be re-partitioned to your needs. You can have 2 or 3 OS'es if you desire.

To your primary question. Grub is the bootloader used for every Linux distro install that I have done, many. I instructed Grub to install on the first partition (boot partition), not in the partition I was installing. After that Grub boots my system and I select the OS I want to use. It does find Windows, and every other OS, regardless to what you are told, by Grub.

I have also messed-up this process, a time or two. In which case you boot into Windows safe-mode (f8 on my system - which bypasses everything, and run "FIXMBR" from command line. The Grub is overwitten, your Windows OS boots, and you go back to resizing, and reinstalling, or re-applying Grub.