New computer - advice wanted

[liquidFuzz]

Hi!

I got a new computer last week. Windows 7 was pre installed and I thought I'd give it a go. Now after one week of agony I want to go back to openSUSE. The comp I'm tinkering with is a Hp pavilion envy 15-1195, it's a nice comp but the os feels dated.

Which version should I install, 86_64x or i386? Further, is there anyone here experienced in setting up a double bot with win7, I need Wintendos says my son, and suse?

So, I have made a recovery DVD in win7 and now I need some pointers and tips. Any subject related input appreciated at this stage.

[jayd512]

Hello and Welcome!

Unless you specifically need 64-bit support, you should be okay with the 32-bit version (i386).
The recovery disc is good, but you'll also want to back up any important data you might have.
After that, you can use the partitioning toll in Windows to shrink the Windows partition and make room for Suse.
If you haven't made a Linux disc yet, check here for some info.
Drop your installation disc in your DVD-ROM, reboot. The Linux installer will 'see' Windows and help you set up a dual boot environment.

If you run into any problems, or need further info, let us know.

[yancek]

So, I have made a recovery DVD in win7

An abolute necessity. With that, you should be able to recover windows if you have any problems. Opensuse bootloader should detect and put an entry in your boot menu for windows as well as Opensuse. You should be able to shrink your windows partition from within windows.

[liquidFuzz]

Ok, now I've down loaded the 4.7GB 64bit version.

Do I need to do the partition stunt from within windows..? I tried to dvd-boot my comp but windows seems to overrides it... I even pulled the F8 thing but I did get any menu with any install suse alternative.

Thanks!

[coopstah13]

you need to set your dvd drive to be first boot device

[liquidFuzz]

I'm very frustrated as of now. Hold on #¤#/¤74¤%6/#(578#%&/6/%&/¤(#( Windows.

How do I set it up to boot from my dvd-drive..?

[jayd512]

You'll have to access your BIOS settings during start up.
After turning on the computer, you'll see a splash image for a couple seconds.(Acer, Dell, whatever).
During that splash, you'll need to hit the correct key to enter BIOS set up. Depending on the computer, it might be <Esc> or F2, or anything else.

After getting in, you will need to look for Boot priority or some such. Set it for your optical drive, exit and save.

[liquidFuzz]

Ok, now I got the DVD running. The set up software suggests partitions as follows:

Create swap volume /dev/sdb1 (2.01GB)
Create root volume /dev/sdb2 (20.00 GB) with ext4
Create volume /dev/sdb3 (210.88 GB) for /home with ext4
/dev/sda1 as windows/C
/dev/sda2 as windows/D
/dev/sda3 as windows/E
/dev/sda4 as windows/F

Is this dandy? (I want to be able to start win7, as boot alt 2.)

[jayd512]

That shows 2 separate drives, /dev/sda and /dev/sdb.
You will be installing Linux to the second of the drives (sdb).
Provided that this is where you want it, that looks good.

[liquidFuzz]

No, I have one ssd drive and one 7200rpm drive. I don't know why but that's how the comp came.

Prio 1: Linux from ssd drive.
Prio 2: Both os from ssd drive.
Thought on that..?