Virgin Ubuntu

Okay... after playing with Vista for sometime and actually running OS X 4.8 simultaneously I have gotten a bit bored.

I am currently running Vista Ultimate. Do not ask where I got it.

However, I gotten a bit bored with the GUI and OS X is nothing special to me either. So I want to get a bit kinky.

I've been reading up on Linux and to be honest I am bit compelled to try it.

Here are my specs:

Intel Pentium D 820 (64 bit potential)
2 Gigs of DDR 2 Ram
Gateway Proprietary Motherboard
Nvidia 7900 GT Graphics Card
Creative Audigy 4 Sound Card
ATI TV Tuner Card
Linksys Wireless G PCI Card
2 Western Digital SATA Harddrives each 250 gigs
HP 8150 Printer
Logitech Revolution MX Mouse
Microsoft Wireless 6000 desktop keyboard (and mouse that I don't use)
Logitech Microphone
Belkin 7 USB Port
Lite On DVD Burner
Generic DVD Player
9 in 1 Media card reader

Now I am afraid that if I go this route and attempt to install it on my tower that I may lose my wireless internet, printer, mouse, and keyboard. I am not prepared to lose those things. As I do not have the ability to easily fix those problems without lugging the tower (and accessories) downstairs around and trying to find my old mouse and keyboard.

I am curious will I lose my wireless devices and internet?

Will I be able to still print?

Can I dual boot Vista and Ubuntu as I currently play a lot of games and use Vista for homework.

How does Ubuntu fair on a Dell Notebook E1505, particularly wireless card?

I also have a network set up in my household. Will going to Ubuntu affect that?

How much space do I need for the OS?

How would I go about dual booting?

What other software would I need to accomplish this (Partition Magic, etc...)?

Could I just split the drives? As I am currently only really using one the other is just there in case of needed room. Mostly a relic from my XP and Mac daul booting days.

Where could I go to get drivers for my accessories?

 

I would put in another harddrive and install it on that one, just to see how it behaves.. if you don't like it, just put back in the one with windows

 

On youtube, there is a good video tutorial by "AlexGrim" who does a step by step tutorial on how to install Ubuntu and get the wireless working on the E1505.

 

"Can I dual boot Vista and Ubuntu as I currently play a lot of games and use Vista for homework."

Oh, but you want a virgin ubunutu, and you want to get kinky...

I'm sorry, but your pc is for looking at pics of people having ***, not for you to have *** with it...

I'm sorry I had to tease, put away the guns people

 

Did I miss something?

 

Can I dual boot Vista and Ubuntu as I currently play a lot of games and use Vista for homework. Yes you can dual boot, and in fact this is what many people who are new to linux, or need certain programs in XP have resorted to.

How does Ubuntu fair on a Dell Notebook E1505, particularly wireless card? I believe there are a few members on NBR who have done this and as has been mentioned before there is a video on youtube with instructions.

I also have a network set up in my household. Will going to Ubuntu affect that? No it should not, never has for me and I have never heard of it happening

How much space do I need for the OS? Minimum is around 2GB-3GB I think but of course you should add to that quantity the photos videos and apps you plan on storing in the OS


How would I go about dual booting? This is setup during the installation and is relatively simple.[/B]

What other software would I need to accomplish this (Partition Magic, etc...)? Just about all of the Linux distros available come with a partitioning software so you should not need anything else than the Distro image burned to a CD for installation.

Could I just split the drives? As I am currently only really using one the other is just there in case of needed room. Mostly a relic from my XP and Mac dual booting days. If you mean partitioning the drives then yes you can, this is done during the installation and setup of your distro.

Where could I go to get drivers for my accessories? Really the best place to look is using google or the manufacturers website.

Hope this helps a little, Linux really is a neat and fast developing OS, so give it a try and have fun. The linux community is great and always was willing to help when I had problems

 

Provided you have the Intel Wireless card, perfectly. I can't vouch for the other card options, as I ordered my machine with Linux in mind. (Yes, I'm aware I got an ATi card, but Dell Australia didn't offer the 7300).

 

SimplyMepis 6.0 Linux (SML) has been changed to a variety of Ubuntu but with a different interface. This is what I use and I would suggest you try a Live CD from most any distro including Ubuntu. To first see how well it sees your hardware. Then if you decide to install it create a new partition for it using QTParted (comes with many distros including SimplyMepis 6.0 Linux) and a partition for your swap file. You will find SimplyMepis 6.0 Linux (SML) quite easy to install and it is the only distro I have tried that makes it easy to reinstall GRUB the dual boot software if by chance you do something to change your boot record. Like running Partition Magic after you have Linux installed. You see if you do it will report an error in your boot record or FAT table and ask if you will allow it to correct the problem. If you say yes correct the problem it will and in doing so you will not be able to boot correctly. The fix with SimplyMepis 6.0 Linux (SML) would be to simply boot from the Live CD and select re-install GRUB. This will fix the boot record and everything including Windows will work but Partition Magic will again report an error but you can just tell Partition Magic no when it ask.