How to install Linux?

Since you have a pretty nice setup, no matter which distro you choose it will run beautifully on your computer. If you want a lot of flash and eye candy, like 3D flip windows and whatnot, go with Mandriva Linux. It's pretty easy for Linux newbies to learn. If you want to start slow and learn the basics of Linux the easy way, start with Ubuntu or Kubuntu.

You'll lose files and programs if you install Linux over Vista, so you should backup your important files to CD. The programs you don't have to worry about, Linux comes with all the programs you need pre-installed and you can find a bunch more through your package manager.

Yes, Linux is better than Vista in every way, it just takes half a brain to run Linux and zero brain to run Windows.

Most distros should work with a dual screen setup and if not you can find what you need to fix it in your package manager or on the net.

Backup your files, then burn a bunch of distros to disk and start installing them and checking them out one by one. Spend a day or two with each one and figure out which one you like best. You can always try Live CDs, many distros come on Live CD, to try out a distro before you install it. The only drawback to LiveCDs are that they seem to run slow because they are running from CD so remember any distro will run great on a computer as good as yours, if it's running slow from CD that doesn't mean it will run like that once installed on your system.

Here's a few distros I recommend you check out:

Kubuntu:

http://www.kubuntu.org/

Ubuntu:

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Mandriva:

http://www.mandriva.com/

Linux Mint:

http://linuxmint.com/

OpenSUSE:

http://www.opensuse.org/

Fedora:

http://fedoraproject.org/

This is the one I use:

Debian:

http://www.debian.org/

If you try to install Linux, any version, without really understanding partitioning, the commands you will be given, and what you are trying to do, there is a very, VERY real chance that you will lose your Vista installation and your data. If you bother to read some of the frequent posts here, and elsewhere, you will see that many people make some serious mistakes by trying to install Linux without trying to understand what they are doing. It is NOT automatic, you have to make some choices, and if you make the wrong choices, you could end up with a boat anchor or a door stop, not a functioning computer.

Don't say you haven't been warned.

If you like learning about computers, you like tinkering, and you like challenges, give Linux a try. But your comment about having a dual core processor, and you "think" your motherboard is 64 bit compatible, indicates you may not be a good candidate. dual core = 64 bit.

I have Ubuntu and Vista on my dual core HP laptop.

You should install Ubuntu Linux 7.4.

You will not loose any files if you partition your hard drive into two, one in Vista and one for Linux. But you will loose your files if you reformat the whole drive.

Linux has less advantage than Vista, but XP SP2 has more advantage than Vista. Download the upcoming XP SP3, it's much more powerful than Vista SP1.

Yes it will work on DS setup, because it's an operating system too.

ubuntu and pclinuxos are both distributions for linux beginners. ubuntu offers a 64bit edition (not sure about pclinuxos) and they both offer a live cd experience that allows you to load the linux kernal into your RAM without installing to your hard drive. this way you can get the feel of the operating system and see if your hardware is compatible without damaging anything.

if you decide you would like to install linux to your hard drive, you need to shrink your vista install inside of vista (with previous versions of windows you could do this with the partitions tools included on a linux live cd).

you need to go to the disk management section of vista and shrink your vista install to allow room on your hard drive for linux.

then you would install linux on that free space in a separate partition. you would have a dual boot system. the linux bootloader (i use grub) would allow you to choose between vista and linux to boot into.

the dual screen setup can be tricky. consult the help pages of the linux distro you choose.

linux isn't for everybody. if you are a gamer, then you may become frustrated with the lack of linux compatible games. you can use a windows emulator such as wine to install windows programs.

you may also become frustrated if you don't like to learn new things. linux isn't always easy, but the beginner distros such as ubuntu have really made the linux experience positive for newcomers. plus, the linux community has grown so that very good support and trouble shooting is offered on distribution websites.

here is a guide to install linux dual boot with vista.

http://apcmag.com/5046/how_to_dual_boot_vista_with...

there are various strategies you're able to try this. the single that works appropriate for me is as follows, 2 separate no longer basic drives with the flexibility linked to it one on the time with a AB change. It would not remedy your capture 22 subject with onepersistent, yet once you sense like being in Linux mode, then power up the Linuxpersistent. If abode windows is the alternative for the day, then change to any otherpersistent and voila! it is kinda like utilising, you the two take the 4 wheeler out for a spin, or the Ferrari, relies upon on your temper on the time.

Whack Knoppix in and you don't have to install it at all to try it out. Maybe try Sabayon too.