can you install linux in a partition on an xp system?

~Mike Hollywood wrote:
> xp pro, 80 gig drive, 4 partitoins,: os, programs, data, and a spare of
> 10gigs, all ntfs
> older duron AMD system: ecs mobo circa 2000 with bios same age. 1.6 g cpu
> speed.
> fsb is 100 mb/sec i think. 256 mb pc100 ram (2X128), burner, cd, etc.
>
> so i got a linux ubunto disk, and before I do anything stupid I thought I'd
> post here
> and find out where the alligators are, if any.
>
> I have zero experience with linux. Same with duel booting.
> The disk I have will load itself into memory and
> then when you reboot it's gone.
> It also allows for an install, where it loads onto the hard drive.
>
> 2 questions:
> uno: will it load into the empty ntfs partion?

If you want to install it I'd recommend using an ext2 or ext3 partition,
not NTFS.

> dos: If so, how do you tell the mobo to boot to that partiton when you
> want to?

Install windows first, then linux. The linux bootloader will configure
dual booting. Nothing to do with the motherboard.

>
> Thanks,
> mike
>
>


--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

Linux Geek wrote:
> On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:44:14 -0400, Jim wrote:
>
>> ~Mike Hollywood wrote:
>>> xp pro, 80 gig drive, 4 partitoins,: os, programs, data, and a spare
>>> of 10gigs, all ntfs older duron AMD system: ecs mobo circa 2000 with
>>> bios same age. 1.6 g cpu speed. fsb is 100 mb/sec i think. 256 mb
>>> pc100 ram (2X128), burner, cd, etc.
>>>
>> 10 gigs and 256mb is very minimal. It will work, I've done it myself.
>> But you won't be very impressed with the results.
>
> Truly strange statement.
>
> I'm using:
> 350MHz P!! processor
> 192 Meg RAM
> 15 Gig HDD
>
> Of that 15 Gigs I have used 5.3 Gigs.
>
> I am using Ubuntu Linux with the following applications installed:
>
> 20 minor to medium games
> 19 graphics programs and utilities
> Firefox (Browser)
> Thunderbird (Email)
> Epiphany (Browser)
> Evolution (Email)
> aMSN (Instant messaging)
> Avast antivirus (It's never found anything)
> Skype
> GAIM (Instant messenger)
> Adobe Reader
> OpenOffice complete
> Crossover (Windows application interface)
> Microsoft Office 2003 complete
>
> There are a ton more applications and utilities too numerous to mention.
>
> The fact of the matter is that this box still runs about as fast (except
> for complex graphics) as my Windows XP box which has 1/2 gig of ram, 3.02
> GHz Celeron, 160 gig HDD .....
>
> So please, if you're going to give information at least be accurate with
> it. Mike's system will suffice just fine running Ubuntu.
>

While I use Fedora Core, I am not overly impressed with the
responsiveness of KDE and Gnome when running on low end systems. Low end
older systems are fine for firewalls and local file servers on home
networks, but the full GUI experience one wants when using Linux on a
normal desktop workstation PC gets slowed down with older processors and
less than 512Mb of RAM. Then again, XP doesn't run so flash hot on these
systems either!

Ari

--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

Linux Geek wrote:
> On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:44:14 -0400, Jim wrote:
>
>> ~Mike Hollywood wrote:
>>> xp pro, 80 gig drive, 4 partitoins,: os, programs, data, and a
>>> spare of 10gigs, all ntfs older duron AMD system: ecs mobo circa
>>> 2000 with bios same age. 1.6 g cpu speed. fsb is 100 mb/sec i
>>> think. 256 mb pc100 ram (2X128), burner, cd, etc.
>>>
>> 10 gigs and 256mb is very minimal. It will work, I've done it
>> myself. But you won't be very impressed with the results.
>
> Truly strange statement.
>
> I'm using: 350MHz P!! processor 192 Meg RAM 15 Gig HDD
>
> Of that 15 Gigs I have used 5.3 Gigs.
>
> I am using Ubuntu Linux with the following applications installed:
>
> 20 minor to medium games 19 graphics programs and utilities Firefox
> (Browser) Thunderbird (Email) Epiphany (Browser) Evolution (Email)
> aMSN (Instant messaging) Avast antivirus (It's never found anything)
> Skype GAIM (Instant messenger) Adobe Reader OpenOffice complete
> Crossover (Windows application interface) Microsoft Office 2003
> complete
>
> There are a ton more applications and utilities too numerous to
> mention.
>
> The fact of the matter is that this box still runs about as fast
> (except for complex graphics) as my Windows XP box which has 1/2 gig
> of ram, 3.02 GHz Celeron, 160 gig HDD .....
>
> So please, if you're going to give information at least be accurate
> with it. Mike's system will suffice just fine running Ubuntu.
>

I have three similar systems here in my computer room, one of which is
currently actively connected to the router. They work as such they have
been assigned the task of family spares should a primary machine go down
for hardware problems.

The OP said he had 10 gigs to use for the entire system. That's a bit
tight. Doesn't leave much room for the swap or temp files. 512 is the
sweet spot for memory. While many system do in fact "operate" with less
the satisfaction goes way up when you get to 512.

As another mentioned he'd do better with a spare hard drive that is 20
gb or better. But I would immediately set it as dual boot. Simple
enough to reset the MBR if desired.

~Mike Hollywood wrote:>
> 2 questions: uno: will it load into the empty ntfs partion? dos:
> If so, how do you tell the mobo to boot to that partiton when you
> want to?
>
> Thanks, mike
>
>

Using Linux is all about having options to configure things as you
desire. Same applies to which distribution you select. Ubuntu is one
of the better. I personally prefer PCLinuxOS. Like cars YMMV.

Answering your questions:

1st: It will not load into the empty ntfs partition. More accurately
it will use that partition but will reformat it into a Linux partition.

2nd: With PCLinuxOS you have a graphical installation which will let you
see all existing partitions. You can then pick which partition the
installer should use. Process being to delete the chosen partition,
then click the now non-designated area and select auto allocate.

On Wed, 08 Aug 2007 06:29:52 -0400, Jim wrote:

> Linux Geek wrote:
>> On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:44:14 -0400, Jim wrote:
>>
>>> ~Mike Hollywood wrote:
>>>> xp pro, 80 gig drive, 4 partitoins,: os, programs, data, and a
>>>> spare of 10gigs, all ntfs older duron AMD system: ecs mobo circa
>>>> 2000 with bios same age. 1.6 g cpu speed. fsb is 100 mb/sec i
>>>> think. 256 mb pc100 ram (2X128), burner, cd, etc.
>>>>
>>> 10 gigs and 256mb is very minimal. It will work, I've done it
>>> myself. But you won't be very impressed with the results.
>>
>> Truly strange statement.
>>
>> I'm using: 350MHz P!! processor 192 Meg RAM 15 Gig HDD
>>
>> Of that 15 Gigs I have used 5.3 Gigs.
>>
>> I am using Ubuntu Linux with the following applications installed:
>>
>> 20 minor to medium games 19 graphics programs and utilities Firefox
>> (Browser) Thunderbird (Email) Epiphany (Browser) Evolution (Email)
>> aMSN (Instant messaging) Avast antivirus (It's never found anything)
>> Skype GAIM (Instant messenger) Adobe Reader OpenOffice complete
>> Crossover (Windows application interface) Microsoft Office 2003
>> complete
>>
>> There are a ton more applications and utilities too numerous to
>> mention.
>>
>> The fact of the matter is that this box still runs about as fast
>> (except for complex graphics) as my Windows XP box which has 1/2 gig
>> of ram, 3.02 GHz Celeron, 160 gig HDD .....
>>
>> So please, if you're going to give information at least be accurate
>> with it. Mike's system will suffice just fine running Ubuntu.
>>
>
> I have three similar systems here in my computer room, one of which is
> currently actively connected to the router. They work as such they have
> been assigned the task of family spares should a primary machine go down
> for hardware problems.
>
> The OP said he had 10 gigs to use for the entire system. That's a bit
> tight. Doesn't leave much room for the swap or temp files. 512 is the
> sweet spot for memory. While many system do in fact "operate" with less
> the satisfaction goes way up when you get to 512.

I guess it depends on what the thing is being used for. I use it for
business so the fact it works flawlessly is my turn-on. Speed doesn't
mean a lot. Security means everything. Whether I can manipulate complex
graphics efficiently means nothing......

>
> As another mentioned he'd do better with a spare hard drive that is 20
> gb or better. But I would immediately set it as dual boot. Simple
> enough to reset the MBR if desired.

Excellent procedure.



--

__________________________________________________ ________________
Linux Geek

Saying that XP is the most stable MS OS is like saying that
asparagus is the most articulate vegetable. (Dave Barry)

Jim <chief_jim go.com> wrote:

> ~Mike Hollywood wrote:>
>> 2 questions: uno: will it load into the empty ntfs partion? dos:
>> If so, how do you tell the mobo to boot to that partiton when you
>> want to?

> Using Linux is all about having options to configure things as you
> desire.

Linux is a server operating system.

For the vast majority of personal computer users, using Linux is at
best a hobby. If you have lots of time on your hands, it might be fun,
but don't expect the overall experience to be productive.

Whenever you do disk gymnastics, make sure you have up-to-date
removable media copies of any important files from your hard drive.










>
>
>
> Path: newssvr13.news.prodigy.net!newsdbm04.news.prodigy. net!newsdst01.news.prodigy.net!prodigy.com!newscon 04.news.prodigy.net!prodigy.net!newshub.sdsu.edu!h wmnpeer01.lga!news.highwinds-media.com!hw-filter.lga!newsfe12.lga.POSTED!53ab2750!not-for-mail
> From: Jim <chief_jim go.com>
> User-Agent: Thunderbird 2.0.0.5 (X11/20070801)
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Newsgroups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
> Subject: Re: can you install linux in a partition on an xp system?
> References: <lOGdnc49vcKRKyXbnZ2dnUVZ_v6rnZ2d comcast.com>
> In-Reply-To: <lOGdnc49vcKRKyXbnZ2dnUVZ_v6rnZ2d comcast.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Lines: 23
> Message-ID: <vnhui.107$Fn.46 newsfe12.lga>
> Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 06:58:37 -0400
> NNTP-Posting-Host: 69.112.25.63
> X-Complaints-To: abuse cv.net
> X-Trace: newsfe12.lga 1186570843 69.112.25.63 (Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:00:43 MST)
> NNTP-Posting-Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:00:43 MST
> Organization: Optimum Online
> Xref: prodigy.net alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt:494475
>

John Doe wrote:
>
> Linux is a server operating system.
>
> For the vast majority of personal computer users, using Linux is at
> best a hobby. If you have lots of time on your hands, it might be
> fun, but don't expect the overall experience to be productive.
>

Your statement was quite correct, several years ago. Fortunately I, and
many others, have learned it is very much a mainstream OS for the
desktop. Even Dell acknowledges times have changed with its newer
offerings.

John Doe wrote:
> Jim <chief_jim go.com> wrote:
>
>> ~Mike Hollywood wrote:>
>>> 2 questions: uno: will it load into the empty ntfs partion? dos:
>>> If so, how do you tell the mobo to boot to that partiton when you
>>> want to?
>
>> Using Linux is all about having options to configure things as you
>> desire.
>
> Linux is a server operating system.

No reason it can't be used as a desktop OS with current distributions
tailoring to this.

> For the vast majority of personal computer users, using Linux is at
> best a hobby. If you have lots of time on your hands, it might be fun,
> but don't expect the overall experience to be productive.

Why not? You get a much better understanding of your PC in as much as
you learn why different OSes do things differently. Linux experience
made 2003 SBS and XP Pro workstation administration MUCH easier for me.

> Whenever you do disk gymnastics, make sure you have up-to-date
> removable media copies of any important files from your hard drive.

You should have regular backups regardless.

Cheers,

Ari



--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

On Wed, 08 Aug 2007 09:09:27 -0400, Jim wrote:

> John Doe wrote:
>>
>> Linux is a server operating system.
>>
>> For the vast majority of personal computer users, using Linux is at
>> best a hobby. If you have lots of time on your hands, it might be
>> fun, but don't expect the overall experience to be productive.
>>
>
> Your statement was quite correct, several years ago. Fortunately I, and
> many others, have learned it is very much a mainstream OS for the
> desktop. Even Dell acknowledges times have changed with its newer
> offerings.

Ooops, now you've done it. Next you're going to get "It's only good if
you're setting up a server" baloney. You committed heresy by stating it's
"very much a mainstream OS". Personally I firmly believe you are bang on
the money.
The only time I *ever* use my Windows box is if someone sends me
a data file constructed in some obscure piece of Windows software. I
would reverse the roles of the 2 computers if I could but HP will not
permit the installation of Linux on the particular model I have. Tell me
that should be allowed. I have tried every distribution I can get my
hands on to no avail.

__________________________________________________ ________________
Linux Geek

Saying that XP is the most stable MS OS is like saying that
asparagus is the most articulate vegetable. (Dave Barry)

> Jim <chief_jim go.com> wrote:
>
>> ~Mike Hollywood wrote:>
>>> 2 questions: uno: will it load into the empty ntfs partion? dos:
>>> If so, how do you tell the mobo to boot to that partiton when you
>>> want to?
>
>> Using Linux is all about having options to configure things as you
>> desire.
>
> Linux is a server operating system.
>
> For the vast majority of personal computer users, using Linux is at
> best a hobby. If you have lots of time on your hands, it might be fun,
> but don't expect the overall experience to be productive.
>
> Whenever you do disk gymnastics, make sure you have up-to-date
> removable media copies of any important files from your hard drive.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> Path:
>> newssvr13.news.prodigy.net!newsdbm04.news.prodigy. net!newsdst01.news.prodigy.net!prodigy.com!newscon 04.news.prodigy.net!prodigy.net!newshub.sdsu.edu!h wmnpeer01.lga!news.highwinds-media.com!hw-filter.lga!newsfe12.lga.POSTED!53ab2750!not-for-mail
>> From: Jim <chief_jim go.com> User-Agent: Thunderbird 2.0.0.5 (X11/20070801)
>> MIME-Version: 1.0
>> Newsgroups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
>> Subject: Re: can you install linux in a partition on an xp system?
>> References: <lOGdnc49vcKRKyXbnZ2dnUVZ_v6rnZ2d comcast.com>
>> In-Reply-To: <lOGdnc49vcKRKyXbnZ2dnUVZ_v6rnZ2d comcast.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>> Lines: 23
>> Message-ID: <vnhui.107$Fn.46 newsfe12.lga>
>> Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 06:58:37 -0400
>> NNTP-Posting-Host: 69.112.25.63
>> X-Complaints-To: abuse cv.net
>> X-Trace: newsfe12.lga 1186570843 69.112.25.63 (Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:00:43
>> MST) NNTP-Posting-Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:00:43 MST
>> Organization: Optimum Online
>> Xref: prodigy.net alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt:494475
>>

Stupid *******!!!!