Linux Installation Dilemma!!! Help pls

Awe, all this days i was busy, so couldn't tweak or make some changes to my system, i free now coz of minor fever, so i would like to install Linux to my system. But i would like to have multiboot, so that i shold not miss both windows and linux, i'm not a linux geek, though i'm addicted to its interface.

I dont want to use Live CD,, So a good linux with some glassy interface is what i want.

Please help me which linux to install and how to install without disturbing my current Windows Installation.

I have 80 GB HDD with 7 Partions:
C: 6 GB (system)
D: 14.8 GB
E: 7.81 GB
F: 9.76 GB
G: 9.76 GB
H: 9.76 GB
I: 15.90 GB

I would like to install it H: coz i'm having unwanted stuff.
So do i want to Format H: to RAW and install Linux to it???

And please recommend me a linux which Digit supplies with its CD/DVD..

Help.....

K

Install Ubuntu , or openSUSE

tank u @ k750i, do i need to format my H: ?

yeah obviously u should. but u can do that from widin linux installation. just change the partition type and format. btw, u'll need 2 more partitions for boot and swap. and h: is not the last partition. i'd suggest that u move the data from ur H: and i: to other drives temporarily and resize those 2 partitions to create 1 partition for ur stuff and 3 partitions for linux (the last sectors for boot / and swap).

thanks a lot @ infra, so will it not affect my current installation? I couldn't understand what Swap is.... So after installation can i access the boot menu?

better dissuus all your linux related queries in open sorce section u will get a better response there

you need jus 2 partitions... one for linux and another for swap... install grub in the MBR only... and better go for ubuntu 7.04

thanks patix, dear moderator, can u please move this thread to OpenSource???? please

Oh, its already moved, thanks buddy!!!

swap in linux is different from windows (analogous to the page file). in linux it is usually recommended that you haf a separate partition for swap.

u can see how much swap is used using cmd "free" in a terminal

no need for sperate /boot for newbie desktop install.but a swap partition(select installer for making a swap) of around 300MB is needed,

AFAIK u need to hav a minimum swap of ur ram size... aint it freebird??

^^ not necessarily.in my experiance around 300MB is enough for desktop users.

How much space does it requires to install Ubuntu 7.04 Completely (Typical Options)

Intel_Gigacore - Around 2.5 to 3 GB

Possible said:
Intel_Gigacore - Around 2.5 to 3 GB

Thank u possible!!!

Ok Guys finally i have got 6 CDs burnt with Fedora Core 6
Disk 1
Disk 2
Disk 3
Disk 4
Disk 5
Rescue Disk.

Now tell me how to install this to my system without daming the current XP installation in my C:

Link containing this tutor would be great!!!

Delete your H: partition from Windows(as this is the easiest method) Then, pop in your Disc 1. You will get a easy GUI which will guide you. Its as easy as clicking Next in Windows. Usually FC chooses the right amount of swap and partition until you specify it manually. Choose your packages before hand and change CDs when it asks. That's it!!

tank u @ phreak0utt !!!

^ and did u completed the install

praka123 said:
^^ not necessarily.in my experiance around 300MB is enough for desktop users.

and i've run fedora 6 for months widout a swap!!!

^^ But even Live cd's search for hdd swap!

i never used any swap, and most of the time 1/4th of the ram used to be free, but then again never used any prog which used to hog the memory. just casual surfing, multimedia and programming.... swap is essential NOT mandatory!!! many installations recommend that u set up a swap partition but move on wid the installation even if u dont! at least fedora does.....

try doing it man... jus disable ur swap for sometime (format it as ext2/3/fat whatever other than swap) and try to work on it. unless u use some real resource hogger, ur system will run absolutely fine widout a swap! try it....

Yes they do..

Infra_red_dude , you can aslo create a swap file and add it to the fstab..

M

but this fellow just has 256mb of RAM so it'd be better he create a swap.
vignesh if I remember right he was the one who put up a thread here on how to create a swap file in linux.

vignesh said:
Infra_red_dude , you can aslo create a swap file and add it to the fstab..

exactly, i sometimes used to share windows swap file (on a fat32 partition) but never actually felt the need anyways....

tech_your_future said:
but this fellow just has 256mb of RAM so it'd be better he create a swap.

Can i Install Ubuntu KDE by creating swap? Will it run with my current RAM after creating swap?

M

KDE should run but it will also be a bit slower, you should be able to get it to work faster with some tweaks. eddie should be able to help you there. But realistically KDE would be a bit slow unless you just do some basic work like text editing and web browsing and stuff.

infra_red_dude said:
i never used any swap, and most of the time 1/4th of the ram used to be free, but then again never used any prog which used to hog the memory. just casual surfing, multimedia and programming.... swap is essential NOT mandatory!!! many installations recommend that u set up a swap partition but move on wid the installation even if u dont! at least fedora does.....

try doing it man... jus disable ur swap for sometime (format it as ext2/3/fat whatever other than swap) and try to work on it. unless u use some real resource hogger, ur system will run absolutely fine widout a swap! try it....

My Ubuntu feisty by default uses by swap partn 80-90MB's.that's why.Always create a swap partition @tleast 300MBs.