How do i switch to linux?
Answers:
Hi I agree with Brianthesnail123, however as he has reviewed software on Download.com before I'm surprised that he didn't mention WUBI.
Wubi allows you to try Ubuntu Linux with no need to go into your bios to set the CD/DVD to first boot device or partitioning your HDD.
What Wubi doe's is install under Windoze and runs like a dual boot system, I've noticed that it runs Ubuntu faster than from a Live CD and only slightly slower than from a native Linux install. The beauty of doing it this way is you don't need to make any bios or partition changes and if you decide to stick with Windoze, then no problem, simply uninstall as you would normally through Windoze Install/Uninstall.
Just so as to let you know I am not trying to promote Wubi above what it can do, please remember it is still in Beta stage. However I have now installed it successfully on 5 different machines and 3 friends have tried it without problems.
If you are connecting to the internet through a router and Ethernet cable then you should be on line as soon as you boot in to Linux, but it may or may not detect your printer (depending if your printer is supported by the Linux print driver CUPS).
Below is a link to Download.com, I would suggest you read the reviews before making your mind up, but so far I've had no problem's with Wubi.
you can download linux, and install it on dual boot or replace xp, its up to you
don't be rude.. thats never nice ;-)
download a distro of it.. i use open suse, and damn small linux on an aging laptop..
open suse is a big download.. 4 gb. or 6 cd's.. so do that very late at night.. or your internet provider may get very angry (like they did with me.lol)
u'll get an iso image, which you need to burn to either a cd or dvd..
use that cd/dvd in the computer when u switch on
will install and give you options.. and when its done and u reboot u'll have a menu, giving u a choice of what to boot..
if your not sure about linux yet.. perhaps use a "live cd" version instead. it won't install but will give u a very good insight to it.
You'll want to run a dual boot system, but I've had Ubuntu suggested to me as a really good Linux based OS :)
before switching to linux why not try a few linux distros on "live cd"
this will give you the option to try them out before installing them or dual booting one with your current windows operating system
my personal favourites are "mandriva"(http://www.mandriva.com/en/linux/spring)... open suse(http://en.opensuse.org/welcome_to_opensu...
or go to http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd... a list of linux live cd,s all avalible for download
once downloaded you will notice the downloads are "iso" type files,you need to then burn them to either dvd or cd using software such as nero and use the option to "burn image to disk"
then its just a case of making sure your p.c can "boot from cd" and insert your iso linux live cd and restart your p.c,the linux live cd will then boot and you should then follow the onscreen prompts..note:whatever you do dont click any icons that say"install"
any problems let me know
good luck mate!
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