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I need help installing Linux!

Tags:
  • Boot
  • Windows 8
  • Linux
Last response: in Linux/Free BSD
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September 4, 2014 10:13:18 AM

I recently upgraded my PC and due to work I need to install the Linux OS as well as Windows 8. I understand the basic procedures of creating a system with two OS's, but I have spent allot of money on my computer and don't want to wing it using my own knowledge. Windows 8 is my primary OS (The one I have installed already) and I would prefer it if I could boot Linux off a different HDD to my C: drive with W8 on it, Is it possible? As I understand it you need to partition your drive to utilise a duel-boot system, if you do need to partition a drive I don't understand what to do once I have.
Also, it would be useful for me to be able to install Linux on my US B stick, correct me if I'm wrong but would I first download Linux, convert it to a boot-able state, boot off the US B when in the boot menu. After that would I install Linux onto the computer?

Any tips, tutorial links or just advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks for your time

More about : installing linux

September 4, 2014 10:15:37 AM

Linux does not call it's drive C: the Linux file system just starts with a / no C:\. You need to create an empty disk partition to install Linux separate from Windows which divides the hard drive into two logical drives. Or an easier way is to just buy a second hard drive if you want both on separate drives.
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September 5, 2014 7:29:52 AM

Virtualbox may be an option?

My workstation is starting to show its age but i run win7 pro and Linux in a virtualbox. This way i can work in both environments simultaneously. Quad core cpu, 8gb ram and an HD 6950 2gb run's both very smoothly on 3 monitors for i guess a total of 6 kinda. With the file share in virtualbox you can pass files back and forth from a shared folder on your C: drive, which is nice. They operate as two independent systems but can run at the same time which isn't possible if you dual boot. Virtualization has come a long way and the performance hit isn't that bad although this depends on your system specs and what you plan on doing with it.

Anyways ... my $.02
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a b 5 Linux
September 5, 2014 10:12:33 AM

Virtualbox only an 'acceptable' option if your CPU/Motherboard/BIOS supports VT-x or AMD-v. Not all processor/mobo combos do. Almost always preferable to install with dualboot.

Generally the procedure is as follows:
1)boot favorite linux (with liveusb or livecd)
2)shrink windows partition and create new partition in the free space (use gparted)
3)install linux to new partition
4)if not done automatically, add windows to the Linux/GRUB bootloader list.

I use http://www.linuxliveusb.com to create bootable usb drives in Windows.
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a b * Windows 8
September 5, 2014 10:54:54 AM

for me I just found just to put all os on there own drive and be done with it cause if one drive fails I just lose whats on that drive and not everything that's piled on to just one drive [opinion]
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