after downloading linux hw 2 install linux ? how 2 make it working on dual boot system?

Why not consider installing Linux within windows

I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 7 Main Edition which is Ubuntu 9.04 based. Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled

Linux Mint has a feature called mint4win based on the Wubi installer (Ubuntu) http://wubi-installer.org/ which enables you to install Linux Mint within windows (run mint4win in vista compatability mode)

You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.

mint4win like Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.

Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38

Linux Mint 7 User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gl...

You download the iso. image of Linux Mint then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD

Boot in to windows insert the LiveCD you have just created and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where mint4win comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.

Once Linux Mint is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint.

Linux Mint can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive.

CURRENT SESSION

Linux Mint 6 ext3 with switchable Compiz 0.7.2* and Beryl 0.2.1**

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=31

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_(window_manager...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz_Fusion

*Compiz 0.7.2 sourced from Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Alpha 5) repositories

**Beryl 0.2.1 sourced from Ubuntu 7.04 repositories

LUg.

First off you need to find out which distribution (distro) is best for you. I recommend using the following quiz ( http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/index.php?firstt... ). It will give you a link to the latest version of that distro where you can download and burn it off.

Most Linux distros will set-up your computer as a dual boot given the fact that you have installed Windows first. The key is to NOT format the FAT32 or NTFS partition (you can resize it and/or give it a mount point but NEVER format it). Just read the install instructions carefully to not screw up.

If you have never used Linux before I strongly recommend first using Linux via a LiveCD first. A LiveCD is a CD that has the entire operating system on it. You can use the operating system without having to install it first. This gives you a safe environment to mess around with the system and get use to it. Also if you don't like it, your out one CD/DVD.

1. take the quiz in the first link. It will help you find a version of linux that is right for you based on your knowledge and purpose for it.

2. Be sure you read the manual or documentation for the version of linux that you select. Those docs will be on the website for linux. If you read the docs and follow the instructions carefully linux will not harm your windows files and work properly with xp. But if you don't read and follow the instructions you could seriously damage your xp files. Linux is not hard but it is different from xp and you will have to learn the linux way of doing things.

Good luck

It's really easy, partition your hard drive, make sure you have enough space for what you need (I only needed 15Gigs), then download whatever distribution of Linux you want (just google it)...

Here's a step-by-step from apcmag.com, they have a lot of other tutorials you can check out.