PCTech Forums

Can I dual boot Ubuntu with windows XP? If so, I have a 160GB HD, should I partition it 100GB for windows and 60GB for Linux? Is it worth it?

yes you can dual boot pretty easy but theres a process to it. 100 gigs for windows is fine so what you would need to do is create that partition first and install windows on it, leaving the other 60 gigs unpartitioned. Once windows is installed you can start installing Ubuntu and allow it to create the partition it needs from the remaining space. Linux uses a completely different file system that should create 3 partitions using the 60 gigs you will have available. The installation is just as easy as windows in my opinion.

You asked, "is it worth it" and i say yes it is. I would encourage most anyone who's pretty familiar with windows to try out linux. I would love to see it become more of a mainstream OS as a competitor for microsoft. Its an amazing OS that just takes some getting use to. Good Luck on your install and let us know if you need any help.

nicholasp7,

Let me add that if you have Partition Magic then you can partition your drive without having to reinstall windows.
I have done this many times and have never had a problem, it works like a charm.

As for the Ubuntu Linux OS I too would recommend that you try it.
I have a dedicated Linux system running Fedora Server that I use for testing php programming.

well i dont have that and i cant afford to spend money just to get it. I will just keep it in mind I guess the next time I have to re-install windows. Unless there are freeware partition tools.

Well I've never tried it but there is it is free and their sites say it can do it.

It seems like it is a lot to do, but I am doing my best.