[Ham-Computers] Re Lenux

[Morrison Hoyle]

On 17 Jan 2004 at 8:52, Jim Isbell wrote:

> I have wanted to put Linux on my machine for a long time but run into 
> the problem that, because I am running XP (the ONLY MS OS that is worth 
> having), I cannot change unless I start over from scratch with a clean 
> HD because the Linux has to be installed BEFORE the XP.  
Not true!

I have installed Linux in various versions over the years on a very significant number of 
PCs.  If you use a good recent Linux distribution - I find Mandrake very good but there 
are many others - you can use the installation procedure to use the empty space on your 
hard disk to create the required partitions.  You just need to fully defrag your HD first so 
that you no longer have files scattered around with empty space in between clusters.

You will have a tiny file installed in the boot sector of your hard dsik which presents a 
page when you boot up so that you choose whether to start in Linux or your other 
operating system.  You decide the default O.S. which will start without a key press.

It really is easy these days.  Why people continue to pour money into the hands of the 
worlds richest and most avaricious man, I do not understand.

Morrison