There's no such thing as a stupid question, but they're the easiest to answer.
JoinTour
Login
Search
Tech-Related News
Tag Cloud
access acer asus bios bsod computer crash dns drive driver drivers error ethernet excel freeze games gaming graphics hard drive hardware hdmi internet laptop malware memory monitor motherboard network printer problem ram random registry router security slow software sound trojan usb video virus vista wifi windows windows 7 windows 7 32 bit windows 7 64 bit windows xp wireless
Search
Search for:
Tech Support Guy Forums > General Technology > Tech-Related News >
Make Windows PCs safer by dual-booting Ubuntu

Reply  
Thread Tools
RootbeaR's Avatar
Computer Specs
Distinguished Member with 4,606 posts.
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Experience: Getting it
12-Jan-2009, 09:25 AM #1
Make Windows PCs safer by dual-booting Ubuntu
"Get the best of both Linux and Windows worlds

Although you certainly can use the Internet safely on a Windows PC, doing so requires a lot of effort these days just to ensure that your copy is properly patched and secured. Like it or not, Windows has become the Ford Pinto of operating systems.


Painless way to add Ubuntu to your Windows PC

You can install OS X on your PC, but doing so is neither easy nor permitted by Apple's license, which requires all installations to be on Apple hardware. There are hundreds of free Linux distributions, however, that will work. Canonical's Ubuntu 8.10 — code-named Intrepid Ibex — is arguably the easiest Linux distro for Windows users to install, configure, and use.

In addition to the major revamps that appear each year in April and October, Ubuntu receives updates and patches almost daily. The free OS also comes with an enormous library of free, downloadable applications and utilities.

Installing most Linux distributions requires you to download and burn to a CD a several-hundred-megabyte .iso file and then boot your PC from that disc. Ubuntu supports this installation method, but it also provides an alternative, brain-dead-easy approach: Wubi, a free Ubuntu installer that works entirely within Windows.

Rather than repartition your disks, Wubi downloads and installs Ubuntu's files to a virtual disk stored on your existing Windows partition.
Wubi's download is still a daunting 700MB, which can take a while if you lack a fast connection. (Of course, you can keep using your other Windows programs while Wubi does its thing in the background.)"
http://WindowsSecrets.com/comp/090108
__________________
"The only stupid question is the one not asked." Me
Empowered by Linux
"Software is like sex; it’s better when it’s free." Linus Torvalds
1002richards's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 4,541 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sussex, UK
Experience: Intermediate
12-Jan-2009, 09:42 AM #2
I have found Wubi easy and straightforward. I've used it with Ubuntu and Mint.
Install / uninstall no fuss.
Byteman's Avatar
Moderator & Malware Removal Specialist with 17,387 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: NY
Experience: Junkware Jouster
13-Jan-2009, 02:27 AM #3
I've been using a Wubi install alongside XP Home for months and I really like it....

Actually, Ubuntu is beginning to look pretty darn good!

I had no install issues, everything installed "out of the box" first time....
tomdkat's Avatar
Computer Specs
Distinguished Member with 7,127 posts.
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: S.F. Bay Area, CA
Experience: Intermediate
13-Jan-2009, 06:04 PM #4
So, is the idea to make your "Windows" PC safer by simply not running Windows?

Peace...
lotuseclat79's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 21,345 posts.
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: -71.45091, 42.27841
14-Jan-2009, 11:15 AM #5
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomdkat View Post
So, is the idea to make your "Windows" PC safer by simply not running Windows?

Peace...
Good one tomdkat!

Since a dual-boot scheme on a single computer implies that only either Windows or Ubuntu is running (not both at the same time, although it would be cool to have a multi-core setup running both, one monitoring the other), that must have been the strategy, i.e. to not run Windows, thereby making it much safer from the Internet miscreants that persistently attack it!

Sorry, RootbeaR, the title was far too easy to resist posting!

-- Tom
__________________
The independence created by philosophical insight is - in my opinion - the mark of distinction
between a mere artisan or specialist and a real seeker after truth. - Einstein 1944
Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Einstein
Stoner's Avatar
Account Disabled with 47,328 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dayton,Oh
14-Jan-2009, 11:32 AM #6
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomdkat View Post
So, is the idea to make your "Windows" PC safer by simply not running Windows?

Peace...



Hi tomdkat

Feels that way sometimes

Myself.....I'm comfortable with a Windows drive image to fall back on rather than having to invest more time in sorting out a different OS.
RootbeaR's Avatar
Computer Specs
Distinguished Member with 4,606 posts.
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Experience: Getting it
14-Jan-2009, 12:00 PM #7
Quote:
Originally Posted by lotuseclat79 View Post
Good one tomdkat!

Since a dual-boot scheme on a single computer implies that only either Windows or Ubuntu is running (not both at the same time, although it would be cool to have a multi-core setup running both, one monitoring the other), that must have been the strategy, i.e. to not run Windows, thereby making it much safer from the Internet miscreants that persistently attack it!

Sorry, RootbeaR, the title was far too easy to resist posting!

-- Tom
Just showing how easy it is to get into Linux.

Although, personally, I think PCLinuxOS is the best option.
JohnWill's Avatar
Computer Specs
Distinguished Member with 110,212 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: South Eastern PA, USA
Experience: Advanced age & experience
14-Jan-2009, 07:26 PM #8
I think Acronis True Image is the best solution. My automated weekly O/S partition backups give me an easy fall-back position.
Reply

THIS THREAD HAS EXPIRED.
Are you having the same problem? We have volunteers ready to answer your question, but first you'll have to join for free. Need help getting started? Check out our Welcome Guide.

Search Tech Support Guy

Find the solution to your
computer problem!




Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
WELCOME TO TECH SUPPORT GUY! Are you looking for the solution to your computer problem? Join our site today to ask your question -- for free! Our site is run completely by volunteers who want to help you solve your computer problems. See our Welcome Guide to get started.
Thread Tools



Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter TechGuy.tv TechGuy.tv Mobile TSG Mobile
You Are Using:
Server ID
Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service.
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:21 AM.
Copyright © 1996 - 2011 TechGuy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Powered by Cermak Technologies, Inc.