Vista x64 & Linux Dual-Boot Preguntas

Hello all,

I thought I'd try my hand at Linux for some fun.

I have two options:

1. My current Vista installation is on my first partition, with all of my files/documents/music etc on the second. Ideally I'd like to install Linux on my 2nd partition. Is this possible w/o messing up my Vista Install? If so, will I be able to keep all of my Files where they are? If so, how messy will the process be?

2. I have an extra 2.5 drive that I could use to try out Linux on. The drawback of doing it this way, is that I'd have to switch drives every time I wish to boot up Linux...I expect if I did it this way I'd rarely mess with Linux.

Lead me, guide me.

Thanks in advance amigos!

 

if there is any free space in either of the two partitions, you can shrink that partition with vista' s administrative tools and install ubuntu in that space.
or you can use wubi.

 

Awesome, what is an "ample" amount of space for Ubuntu?
And will this mess up my boot loader?
Is there a utility to format empty space on my hard drive to ext3 while in Vista (I have the LiveCD, but it always ruins my Vista partition and then I have to Repair my Vista Install)?

Thanks aGain

 

Did you read the Linux Switcher's Guide yet? (I imagine yes since its the sticky up top). The Ubuntu Installation Guide should cover your needs, and depending on how much you want to use Ubuntu 10GB's for minimal usage and 50GB+ if you intend to use it heavily.

 

Yeah, I've been persuing those for a little while....and now I can do it in full-fledged HARDY HERON!

Haha, after a bad CD burn and a few partition mishaps, I'm up and running with both OS's flying.

I must say, I am probably 10x more impressed with the performance and quality of compiz-fusion than I thought I'd be...if not for the inability to use microsoft office (which I regretably love) I would probably switch to Linux full-time.

...in the meantime, I have a LOT to learn.

Ciao

 

Bah, use google docs!

So, are you running Grub as a boot loader? Or did you try the wubi method?
I've always used a bootloader (grub/lilo), but that's with XP, not Vista.

 

I did not try wubi, I just installed the Ubuntu CD straight up...at first I freed space for a partition (and even formatted it with gParted), but in the end I had to go back into Vista and reclaim all the disk space and let the Installation shrink the partition for me.

All that happened was a disk-check during the next Vista boot, and all is well.
Thanks for the help.

 

You can use MS Office in a Vista Virtual Machine if you don't want to dual boot.

 

yeah...I'm still pretty tied to Vista. I'm REALLY wanting to go with Ubuntu full-time, but it might take some arm-twisting.

We'll see.

...I also need to get CS:S up and running in WINE to see if the performance compares.

Compiz-fusion is so freakin awesome though...and I don't even really know what I'm doing with it yet %^D

 

WINE might be able to run it nicely, but I wouldn't count on it. I would just suggest that you untie yourself from it and learn to love OOo.

 

Dual booting is where it's at if you're a noob. I've been using Linux for 4 yrs now and I still keep a windows XP partition alive for gaming and some office tasks.

 

here' s a guide for compiz-fusion.

agreed on awesome