What Is The Best Linux Distro/Best Way To Dual Boot Linux/Windows OS?

hiccupleftovers

CAGiversary!
Right now I have some old Windows 98 computers that I'd like to put on one of the Linux distros (preferably the best one) and just mess around with it some. I think that Ubuntu would be the best, but I still want some input on which would be the best resource wise, etc. or at least some good sites with some.

Also, I would like to put Linux on my laptop, but at the same time not get rid of the Windows that is on there. For this, I'm really unsure as to which is the best way to go (Linux distro and otherwise).
 
I second Ubuntu, I have not used it but a friend of mine has. He set it up in a dual boot configuration. I tired it out for a couple of minutes and it was pretty great.
 
[quote name='dtarasev']I second Ubuntu, I have not used it but a friend of mine has. He set it up in a dual boot configuration. I tired it out for a couple of minutes and it was pretty great.[/quote]

Do you know the program he was using for the dual boot configuration and/or how he set it up?
 
I'm running a dual boot with windows xp and ubuntu(posting from my ubuntu partition). I have a 250gb hard drive and what I did was partitoned 150gb to windows first. Then I installed windows on that partition. Once I got windows up and running I then told my computer to boot from my ubuntu cd. I installed ubuntu on the remaing 100gb. Ubuntu automatically has this program that gives you a selection for which operating system to boot to when you start your computer. I use windows for gaming and ubuntu for everything else and I'm very happy with ubuntu so far.

If you already have windows installed it most likely has partitioned all of your hard drive. So you might need to back up what you have and then reinstall windows on a smaller partition first. Then install ubuntu on the remaining part. You can install ubuntu first but windows will override your option of choosing which operating system to boot to. Its an easy fix to get that option back but its easier just to install windows first.
 
[quote name='hiccupleftovers']Do you know the program he was using for the dual boot configuration and/or how he set it up?[/quote]
Yeah, as etotehpii said, Ubuntu provides that option.

Sorry I am bored.
 
O.K. bump for the non-late night people. Well, reformating and reinstalling Windows onto a separate partition and then putting Ubuntu really isn't an option on the computer I was hoping to put it onto. Any other ways or suggestions to go about it? I think I remember reading somewhere of some program that can do this?
 
There's a third party software called VMware, it allows PC running primary OS (say Windows) to launch a 'guest OS' (say Ubuntu).

The 'drawback' (if you will) is that you still have to boot up the primary OS (windows) before starting up the second/guest OS. But once the guest OS boots up, you can switch to full screen mode and you will not see any windows user interface at all (you can always switch back to windows at any point).
 
[quote name='myqq']There's a third party software called VMware, it allows PC running primary OS (say Windows) to launch a 'guest OS' (say Ubuntu).

The 'drawback' (if you will) is that you still have to boot up the primary OS (windows) before starting up the second/guest OS. But once the guest OS boots up, you can switch to full screen mode and you will not see any windows user interface at all (you can always switch back to windows at any point).[/quote]

So is then to run Linux/Ubuntu off of a disc or is it able to be loaded from the HD
 
VMware is a programs that creates a virtual pc on a computer. You would be running in windows and then be able to boot up a virtual linux machine while still in Windows. This is good if you have to do something in another OS and not have to reboot the computer.

There are linux cds that will boot an OS completely off of the cd. I think Ubuntu has a live cd. These cds are a good way to try the OS before installing it. Ubuntu and Fedora Core are two good ones to try. I've also heard some good things about Damn Small Linux. I've heard that's good for older computers with limited hardware.

By the way, what are the specs computers with Win98? As far as dual booting, always install Windows first and then Linux.
 
Boot//live discs take awhile to boot up though. A good system may take 3 mins to boot up from a live disc. As opposed to actually having a partition for the OS that could take as little as 30 secs to boot up.
 
bread's done
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