[uzerfrendly]

I have recently purchased the "Discovery" edition of Mndrakelinux 10.0 after playing aorund with the idea for some time. SP2 finally broke me *damn microsoft*. I have two questions before I dive in. The first is, this isn't going to live changing is it? I mean I'm not going to have to wonder everytime I get on ol Betty if I am not going to be able to do something because I haven't read the latest Linux manual yet am I? It doesn't seem that way but I fear what I don't understand. Also I want windows gone once I start with this. I don't want to run a dual boot just in case or anything I want it eradicated. I didn't set up my windows os on a sperate drive or partition when I installed it because at the time it didn't matter, but now to get rid of it completely will I have to erase all of my files? Backing everything up would be a bi*#! but I'll do it if I need to. Thanks in advance.

*edit* also what will happen to my registry entries for products that save info like registration in there? I will have to redo all that?

[Whiteskin]

Ok, here's a couple of things you have to get. (these are adressed in the Faq I believe)

-Linux is not windows. Much of the software you own will not run on Linux. Not to despair, as there are free versions of just about every popular app, and more, however, this is just a heads up.
-Linux is not the best with games. If you expect to be doing some hardcore gaming on linux, it may be worth the cash to look into Transgaming's Cedega.
-Linux is a totally diffrent philosphy than windows. You will find that as opposed to windows, paying for things is a rarity, rather than the norm.

That said, I'm glad your willing to take the plunge to learn.

Now, Backup: Probably a smart idea, just incase you hate linux, or something goes terribly wrong, and you need windows back. Ghost is a nice option here. There isn't a need though, as long as you are willing to smooch all your old data good bye.

The install should be pretty simple, just tell mandrake that it can take over the whole disk.

As for the manual issue, I'm not sure what you meant, however there will be times when you have to do software upgrades. Most often they are voluntary, though sometimes with a security flaw it's a must.

Something that I have to reccomend, is that while you have chosen to go with what is pretty much the second highest level linux distro (the first being linspire *shudder*), I cannot stress how much more sense all of this will make if you get a feel for the underlying system. I'd grab a good linux book, and also learn the command line. This will help you get your head into how linux works, and what is happening when you use it. It could also lead to some intersting tricks like nice levels etc.

[Whiteskin]

By the way, I feel for your SP2 troubles. I've heard some really screwy stories.

[uzerfrendly]

Originally Posted by Whiteskin

tell mandrake that it can take over the whole disk.

so your saying that overwriting the entire disk is the best policy? ive used norton ghost before, but not in the past cuple of years, and to my recollection that backed up system info as well as date didnt it? also when i did back it up with norton would i have to install norton on a new partition to keep it from being deleted? like i said i could be completely wrong but ill check into it. i will check out the faq, didnt know of its existence. but man i am not going to enjoy backing up all my data unless ghost will do it without system info.

[lynch]

Didnt you get the live Move CD with the Discovery Edition? If not, download it from the above link, burn it to a CD and boot from it. You can see just what your getting into without losing your windows xp install. Remember, it will run from ram and CD so it will be a lot slower than a real hard drive install.
HTH
lynch

[Whiteskin]

Well, you said you wanted to ditch windows entirely, and the only really effective way to do that right now is to back up personal data and do a complete reinstall. If possible, what I would do is back up the important folders in My Documets, (burn them tocd or what not. You need to get the off the drive.) then look through for things I need (there won't be as many as you think, unless you have a massive movie/mp3 collection).

The other way is to use a tool like partition magic to make a partition on the drive to use as a data drive, copy all the important things there, then delete the other windows partition, and install linux to the free space. Remember, I'm operating on the assumption that you are willing to back up all your data to an external source.

[uzerfrendly]

so if i used partition magic and made a new partition on my 1 hard drive and i copied all of the important things there and only deleted the m$ partition and not the one with my important data, it doesnt seem like i would need to copy anything externally. unless i am misunderstanding.

[uzerfrendly]

Originally Posted by lynch

Didnt you get the live Move CD with the Discovery Edition?
HTH
lynch

i played aorund with this but it seemed too good to be true. ive always heard how scary linux was and how you had to be soop3r l33t. just wanted to make sure of what i was getting myself into.

[Whiteskin]

Oh it's true alright. Anyhow, what you said about partiton magic is pretty much what you want to do. Defrag, cut the disc with PM creating a partition for data (make sure it's big enough), copy everything important over, wipe the windows drive, and install mandrake to the newly freed space.

[uzerfrendly]

awesome appreciate yalls help ill probly see yall in a week or so with some more questions.