Dell Desktop.
intel P4 2.00GHz CPU
nVidia MX420 64MB
768MB Ram
120GB HD
Cable internet service.

So now i am thinking about using Linux with my Windows XP Pro. SP2

1) I will first install Windows XP Pro SP2
2) While installing Windows XP Pro SP2, how do i make partition so i can install linux later on? Detail description needed.
3) I will install all the drivers and my internet service, Cable, i will be needing on Windows OS
4) I will then install Linux, Ubuntu 6.06.
5) Will i need to install all the drivers again? Will i need to install drivers for my VGA card, and other hardwares on my comp? (i checked on dell website and couldn't find Linux drivers for any hardware) But i did find the driver for my VGA on nVidia's official website.
6) Will i need to install internet service,Cable on my Linux OS again?
7) How do i dual boot my OS? Will my comp give me option when i turn on my comp autometically, without installing any other software?

Answer them in #s.

Thank you.

This post has been edited by Jimit87: Aug 28 2006, 08:04 PM

1. Go ahead and install Windows XP Pro. Some proponents of dual booting say to install linux first then install Windows. I have no knowledge of this because i am privledged enough to have computers used only for linux. When you do the install partition only part of the drive for the windows install. Say you have a 40 gig drive. Use only 30 gigs for the windows partition. You can then use the second partition for a linux install. This way you do not need partition magic at all( answers question 3 also).

4. If you don't know what flavor of linux you like you should download live cd's of some you think you might like and try them out.

Some live cd's are:
SUSE 10.0
Mandriva
Ubuntu
Knoppix
Mepis
Open CD
PCLinux

And there are others here.

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

5. Most linux installs now are good enough to where you do not need to install drivers. Only time you will need specific drivers is with proprietary hardware on some makes of computers. Unfortunately Dell has this problem. You will just need to work it out.

6. Yes, you will need to type in the setting in the linux distribution much like you will have to do in Windows.

7. heres some good reading on dual booting. Usually when you install linux after a windows install the linux cd will set up a dual boot lilo or grub setup. Some people prefer the windows dual boot setup.

http://www.howtoforge.com/windows_linux_dual_boot

http://digg.com/linux_unix/Dual-booting_Wi...nux.com_videos)

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/s.../multiboot.mspx

SRX660

Thank you SRX660 for your help. i will do as you have stated. will let you know how it works out.