Linux first timer...

[Derek79602+]

I just d/l the three ISO's for Mandrake. I currently have one partition on my 120 gig drive with XP pro installed. I'd like to do a dual boot. What would be easiest- use an "on the fly" partition manager and make a new partition to install to, or install a spare 20 gig I have and install to that? Once I do that- will the XP boot loader recognize Linux and give me option at boot to go to either XP or Linux?

[Redwolf]

It's easier to use the spare 20 gig. Oh, and it's not a matter of XP recognizing Linux, it's a matter of Linux recognizing XP (the GRUB bootloader is far superior to XP's).

Also, delete all partitions on the 20 gig if you can, since Linux uses different partitions than Windows does.

[Derek79602+]

Link to a step by step guide?

Is GRUB included with Mandrake?

Is there any way to get app like MS Money, Office, etc to work on Linux?

[Xeroid]

http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/demo...ke9.0/Install/

This link is a little dated in that it's for 9.0 but most stuff still applies.

Grub and Lilo are included with Mandrake. Both are bootloaders which will recognize your windows partition and allow the choice of booting to Linux or windows.

You might get MS apps to run under WINE. Also take a look at the equivalent Linux applications like GNUcash and Open Office. I never bothered trying to get M$ apps to run on my Linux partition because I like the ones provided.

[Redwolf]

Yes, GRUB is installed by default w/mandrake

There is a way to get thsoe programs to work in Linux, but there isn't much of a chace it will work. Best choice is to find Linux equivalents to those programs.

Mandrake Manual (helps you to install):
http://doc.mandrakelinux.com/Mandrak...en/Starter.pdf

[Derek79602+]

Well, here I am- posting my first mesage through Linux. Not all that hard. I'll be back with more questions.

[Derek79602+]

Scratch that. That was the second most frustrating 24 hours of my adult life. Back to 'Doz.

[washe]

no one said it was going to be easy.....

[Xeroid]

Originally posted by Derek79602+
Scratch that. That was the second most frustrating 24 hours of my adult life. Back to 'Doz.

You need to give it a little time Derek, you didn't learn everything you know about windows overnight did you?

If you give it a chance I think you'll like it. Since you are dual booting you can do your work on windows and boot to Linux when you want to learn about it.

After a while you'll be like the rest of us, your windows partiiton will set there unused. LOL! About the only time I boot to windows now is when someone asks me a question about it or to update my antivirus.

[Redwolf]

Yeah, don't give up too soon. I did a few years ago, and now I really regret it.

If you have problems, just look through this Linux forum for relevant topics, or post a new one if there are none.

Linux is very frustrating at first, but it becomes second nature once you spend some quality time with it.

Oh, and Linux DOES require alot of reading. Unlike Windows, README files are close to a necessity in Linux, especially for a beginner.