[keysi_711]

Ok, I jumped into a Intro to Linux class without checking the prereqs. Horror is the right word. I`m trying to fake it till I make it, BUT I need all the practice at home. Now, after I`ve researched dual booting (I have Vista), looks like everyone had one problem or another. Anyone out there has a DEFINITE take on splitting my HD or using an external HD??

[Squashman]

I say no to Dual Booting. Virtual Machines are where its at!

[itsjusme]

I tried dual booting in the beginning too, got it working ok but still didnt like it. I hosed windows a few times learning how to set it up. LOL I sometimes use Virtual Machines, but i have a gaggle of used hard drives, and new ones are so cheap anymore, i just pop in another drive and load whatever OS on it i want to play with. It only takes a few minutes to change one out, takes longer to shut down and reboot than change the drive. External drives are good too, i just use what i have on hand.

[arochester]

I successfully use dual booting. I find that it is easier to have two hard drives, one for Windows and one for Linux. This gets around partitioning one disk - although I have done this as well.

Since you have Vista look at:
http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vi...lled_first.htm

I have put Linux on an external Hard Drive, where the computer booted from USB and Grub was on the external drive. I used the instructions at:
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/ubuntu-...drive-install/
This method involves physically disconnecting the Hard Drive in the computer, although I think saikee (where is he when you need him?) would do it another way.

[RootbeaR]

Welcome to TSG!

I also multi-boot with no problems.

If you do not wish to partition, there are other options, including two HDs where you select at start-up which HD to boot from.

As for virtual systems, I would run MS virtually, not Linux.

You could get a virus with MS and lose both OSs'. This is far less likely to happen using Linux as host. MS may get infected, but you could boot from a previous snapshot and be good to go again.

[saikee]

Don't see a point here if the disk space has been fully utilised then the nightmare will happen to any new operating system introduced, be it a Linux or another MS Windows or even another version of Vista, say 64 bits.

Hard disk space doesn't grow on trees! Is it a nightmare if one doesn't manage one's hard disk space?

If any operating system designed to fit in with a PC having the hard disk already fully reserved for the resident MS Windows it can only be a Linux because

(1) Linux comes with a resizing function (like Gparted) that can resize the existing partitions to create new space for the additional OS installation.

(2) Linux has versions, like Ubuntu, that can be installed as a program "inside" a MS Windows. Thus no installation or additional hard disk is required.

(3) Linux has the easiest boot loader in the world. One can put just a Linux boot loader called Grub on a floppy, USB pen drive or CD to boot up any installed MS Windows that fails to boot itself, say with a trashed MBR.

Therefore I don't see what nightmare is all about or specific to Linux.

[TerryNet]

Another rather simple way to get started if Ubuntu is an acceptable distribution for you is to install it as you would any other application in Windows using Wubi.

This results in a dual boot, but without the need to get into partitioning or additional disks. The above suggestions are probably all better in the long run, but you're thinking short term and don't mess up Windows, right?

You do realize that you can boot and run (without installing) almost any Linux distribution as a LIVE CD, right? Good way to sample several if you don't have a specific one in mind.

[Squashman]

Originally Posted by saikee

Therefore I don't see what nightmare is all about or specific to Linux.

I don't see it as a nightmare, I just think depending on the situation, VM's are a better solution. If you don't need to use both OSes at the same time then Dual Boot or multi-boot in your case saikee is definitely a good solution.

[Pookie]

I multi-booted for the last couple years and I finally gave up the ghost and went all Linux.
If you multi-booting scares you take a look at wubi it will make a linux part inside of your windows and can be uninstalled just like any other windows program. Personally I just used vista computer mgmt and moved over my windows partition and then installed linux on the extra.