I want to make the switch. Can anyone help?

[Dann]

So, I'd like to set up my computer to dual boot (I have some industry specific software that can't run with linux).

Now, I've heard I may not be able to install GNU/Linux because my motherboard doesn't have hardware raid?

Well, here's my board, maybe you can help.
It's an Asrock K7VT4A-Pro with a sata hard drive.

Is it possible to install? Are there drivers available for my on board sound card/LAN


What would be a good distro to install? I've heard great things about fedora, but Ive heard ubuntu might be more manageable?


I've done hundreds of windows installs, but I feel like this is a whole new ball game. I'm entirely in the dark on this. Can anyone help me out?

[Cabhan]

This is, as you say, an entirely different ball game. I think that Linux can be more user-friendly than Windows, but it is certainly a different mindset. By realizing this at the beginning, you are taking an important first step .

I don't know anything about your specific mobo, but this page suggests that people have been successful with it:
Hardware for Linux - SysInfo for K7VT4APro

Nothing to do but try, eh?

Also, RAID won't be a problem (I don't have RAID on any of my systems, and I've installed Linux successfully many times).

Now then. I would suggest Ubuntu as your first distro, just because it's well supported and very popular. Fedora is also an option, but I've never been a big fan of it (others will disagree, of course). I think Ubuntu's package manager is better. Also, you can always switch later, so this isn't a huge decision.

Anyway, as far as installing it, I suggest reading this page:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

Please do be sure to backup everything. Resizing partitions can sometimes have problems, and you don't want to accidentally lose everything.

Anyway, welcome to Linux! Many people have dual-booted successfully, so hopefully you won't have any problems. If you do, or have any further questions, we are here to help!

[Dann]

Will I be able to open files that I saved in windows in Linux? I,e a Photo or graphic file Saved to my c drive.

[Manchunian]

Hi Dann,

Will I be able to open files that I saved in windows in Linux? I,e a Photo or graphic file Saved to my c drive.

Yes, you will - no sweat. Be sure to install ntfs-3g first, though.

I'd like to add something to what Cabhan said. Before installing, be sure also to defragment your windows partition to avoid data loss. Note, that along with virus and spware detection and removal, defrags are another one of those waste-of-time jobs you'll never have to do in Linux!

Now then. I would suggest Ubuntu as your first distro, just because it's well supported and very popular. Fedora is also an option, but I've never been a big fan of it (others will disagree, of course). I think Ubuntu's package manager is better.

This is my feeling exactly. Also, don't forget to read this.
Good luck, and don't hesitate to post if you encounter any problems.

[devils casper]

Hi Manchunian !

ntfs-3g package is pre-installed in latest versions of Ubuntu ( 8.04 ) and Fedora ( 9 ).
There is no need to defrag Windows Partitions if you are going to use Linux based Partition Manager ( PartedMagic or GParted ) for resizing Windows partitions. Linux based partition managers take care of that pretty well. There won't be any data loss. Even partition managers of Linux installers defrags windows partitions before editing partition table.

[Dann]

Well, I just booted off the livecd of ubuntu, and everything worked. And I gotta say, it felt like a million bucks!

I'm going to do a full install once I defrag.

A couple questions though;
How do plug-ins work? Can I get flash and acrobat still?

How about installing photoshop? I've heard the new versions won't take, but I have 5le, will winE handle it? and how does one run wine?

Will my wife's games run? She doesn't have anything big, just Oregon trail (yeah, I know) and some knock-off Rosetta stone software.


And how about my printer, it's an epson stylus pro 5000, and I kind of need to use it's tools. Should I just print from windows?


Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for all the help!

[Manchunian]

Can I get flash and acrobat still?

Yes to both, although in Linux there are better and faster pdf readers than acrobat.

How about installing photoshop?

Wine will run Photoshop - but the golden rule in Linux is use Linux equivalents where possible and only resort to Windows programs via Wine if all else fails. The equivalent of Photoshop is The Gimp; the equivalents of acrobat are Kpdf and Evince (amongst others).

Will my wife's games run?

Some games work with Wine or Cedega, some don't. Those who are games freaks are advised to keep a Windows partition just for that purpose. But your wife may be interested in this, which does work in Linux. Also, I'm sure the original would work as it is very simple (no DirectX or anything else fancy).

And how about my printer, it's an epson stylus pro 5000

No problem - printer support is very good. I myself have an Epson Stylus RX425.

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for all the help!

That's what we're here for!

Welcome to Linux

[Manchunian]

Here's something else that might interest you.

[Dann]

So I installed ubuntu, as a dual boot with XP, and my computer just loads up xp without giving me an option, any ideas?

Also, I got this error message the first time I got to the linux desktop: xnaulilus-desktop:///

dbus error

[yancek]

So I installed ubuntu, as a dual boot with XP, and my computer just loads up xp without giving me an option, any ideas?

You didn't install Grub (Linux bootloader) to the mbr during the installation. You need to do that or put an entry int the xp boot.ini file to boot Ubuntu.

I'm confused about how you get to the Ubuntu desktop if you can't boot it??