I have a choice to use 2 different distros. Which one should i use?
I can either use Fedora Core 5 or Ubuntu Linux. I dont know which on would be better.
Also how to partition my HDD - i only have one and things to llok out for would be appreciated.
Any other tips are also welcome...
Thanks !wave
Support the local IT community - choose Ubuntu.
It's a Mark Shuttleworth initiative after all. And from reviews, it seems Ubuntu is a good choice for first-time Linux users.
The installation should ask you about partitioning your drive. I'm not sure if it will preserve your data though.
Rather, use a dedicated disk management tool, like PartitionMagic (v7 or preferably v8). It allows you to patition your existing drives without losing data.
So you can partition your drive first, and then tell the Linux setup to put itself on the new partition.
Do you maybe have link for me Morgue and is it free?
I know that Ubuntu is free - I am asking about the partition magic v7/8?
Nope, Partition Magic isn't free.
That doesn't necessarily mean it can't be used *cough*
trial versioin? - link please morgue!
Good golly gosh darn, I really don't have the time at the moment, sorry. Must run.
Google it and you'll find it in a million places.
Be VERY careful if you are trying to install Linux onto a drive which is already set up for Windows!! Unless you have a large chunk of free space under the Logical Volume Manager, it will have to erase what is there to make a new ext (Linux) partition (and another for the swap file - Linux equivilent to Virtual Memory)
If it's a blank drive, no worries! You don't need to use free trials or hacked software to set up partitions. They have a linux for that, too! I think last time I used System Restore CD which you can download for free (search on google or distrowatch.com) and it works great. I have so many different Linux distributions, I can't keep track anymore of what does or doesn't come with partitioning tools, so it's always good to have that around.
Of course, with Ubuntu, you don't need to install at all. You can use the Live CD, and that works fine. There are many fine Live CD's in fact, that I would recommend whenever installation is problematic. Right now I'm on Damn Small Linux, which is under 50 Megs, but gives you a full desktop, GUI for config and adding hardware and software, obviously netsurfing and also IM, and all on a live disk, CF disk, USB, or anything else that is bootable and has 50 Megs.