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| Thread ID: 67382 | 2006-03-26 03:54:00 | Reformating questions with XP and Linux (several) | Marlow (10065) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 440805 | 2006-03-26 03:54:00 | I have an old (5 years or so) desktop that has not been reformated in quite some time and it recently began crashing and locking up . The problem was helped by running registry cleaners but still it still occurs . Needless to say I have decided to reformat and thought that because it is a back up computer I'd give linux a try . (debian I think but I'm not stuck on anything) This may be crazy but I've used windows and mac OS's but never linux . If hardware is an issue it is an AMD Athlon 1200 with 396 mb of ram with XP pro . There are two roughly 20 gb HD's . First question: Is it advisable to install both XP and linux? If there are no major disadvantages having XP around would be nice as my laptop is a mac . Second question: If I do install linux which version (free preferably) would you recomend? Third question: How should I partition my hard drives? I have heard that it is best to have a 'swap' partition (~1 gib) a /boot partition, /usr partition and /home partion . Should I partition one drive for linux and the other for windows or share the /home partition as it contains my personal files? Fourth question: Having been through several years and many moves I am sure I do not have all the drivers . What would be the best way to ensure that the drivers are available? Last question: I have several copies of XP pro and office pro but am not sure which ones belong with the computer . I have the keys from both but will I be able to use other CD's with the original keys? I have read other posts on this but there was no clear answer . The copies I have are not from OEM manufactureres but were store bought . Thank you sooo much for even getting to this point in the post and wish me luck in my adventure with linux . Cheers, Marlow |
Marlow (10065) | ||
| 440806 | 2006-03-26 04:42:00 | If you want Windows, install it first . For convenience, use one disk for that . It would be a Good Idea to make two partitions, at least one formatted as FAT32 . That one will be accessible read/write with no problems from Linux . It is still not recommended to write to NTFS from Linux, I think . Then just delete all partitions on the second disk . The Linux installer will see the disk as unallocated, and will do the partitioning itself . Let it know best for your first installation . ;) When it asks you where to put the boot manager, choose "MBR /dev/hda" . The choice of distributions is always a good source of arguments . I like Mandrake (Mandriva), and Red Hat . Fedora is the "free" version of Red Hat . These are mature distributions . Newer isn't always better . You should be able to use any full retail disks with any "legal" retail codes . Retail codes might not work with OEM installation disks . If your CDs are full retail, and computer's keys are for OEM versions, use the keys which came with the CDs . |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 440807 | 2006-03-26 05:06:00 | Take the Linux Test (www.zegeniestudios.net) to see which will be best for you. It doesn't ask to much about specific purposes of the software, but goes over your knowledge, and experiance, and what type of system you will be installing on. My favourite Linux is Knoppix (liveCD) and Xandros, I plan to start using Kubuntu and Debian later on. (Yes I preferr KDE, for no particular reason other than it was the first I tried.) |
Faded_Mantis (79) | ||
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