switching from Windows 7 to CentOS

[Xelaric]

I have a computer with the release candidate of Windows 7 (which is now expired) that I'm intending to switch over to CentOS. Is there anything I should do (besides backing up files) before I try to install CentOS?

[oz]

Is there anything I should do (besides backing up files) before I try to install CentOS?

No, that's pretty much it. CentOS should offer to replace Windows with Linux during the installation.

Data backup is the biggest priority.

[devils casper]

Are you a new Linux User? If you are new to Linux then I would suggest you to dual boot CentOS with any version of Windows OS.
Its a steep learning curve and you should switch to Linux after getting familiar with it. I am not saying its very hard and do not intend to discourage you but its recommended to keep Windows OS for a while before switching completely.

[kyleowen]

i made the mistake of going right to linux...now i am struggleing to learn it...and i am used to being an advanced windows user and now i am a dumb linux user...not the best feeling in the world

[devils casper]

i made the mistake of going right to linux...now i am struggleing to learn it...and i am used to being an advanced windows user and now i am a dumb linux user...not the best feeling in the world

As I mentioned earlier, its a steep learning curve. We are here to help you only.
Four years ago, I was a new user. Never installed or used Linux earlier. Linuxforums members and a bit of reading/experiments helped to understand Linux ways. Still learning new things everyday.

[retired1af]

Are you a new Linux User? If you are new to Linux then I would suggest you to dual boot CentOS with any version of Windows OS.
Its a steep learning curve and you should switch to Linux after getting familiar with it. I am not saying its very hard and do not intend to discourage you but its recommended to keep Windows OS for a while before switching completely.

Problem with the OPs Windows installation is it's the RC version, which means it shuts down every two hours. So he either lives with that, upgrades, or just blows it off with the Linux installation. There may be some distro's he could get away with blowing Windows off, and in this case, it may make sense to do so. Beats spending the 100 bucks to for the upgrade.

[reed9]

CentOS is a perfectly good distro, but it is more server/enterprise oriented, and probably harder to start with than other desktop oriented distros.

I would recommend starting with something like Linux Mint, personally. (If you're able, I would really recommend experimenting with a few different distros and seeing which you like best.)

[barriehie]

I have a computer with the release candidate of Windows 7 (which is now expired) that I'm intending to switch over to CentOS. Is there anything I should do (besides backing up files) before I try to install CentOS?

After you get CentOS installed I'ld work on a backup strategy. As stated prior the learning curve is a bit but I think for stability you'll be pleased. The only thing that ever really breaks my installs is me and having a backup has bailed me out of an all day -oops-.

[nujinini]

Four years ago, I was a new user. Never installed or used Linux earlier..

Huh??!! Four years?

And I always thought that you guys have been using Linux from the day Linus released the kernel

With all due respect to all gurus