Linux Users!!

[Spike-X]

I'm planning to install Ubuntu 6.06 tomorrow, making my computer a dual-boot system alongside Windows XP. What do I need to know?

[macul]

Last time I did this Linux used LILO to do the dual boot thing, so I'd start there if that is still the process. You'll also want to be careful that you don't wipe out your XP partitions while setting up the Linux file and swap partitions.

[Rob H]

When I duel booted with Ubuntu and Windows, I'd have been completely lost with the Ubuntu forums. Be sure to check them out if you have any issues.

[Kahnno6]

I want to second that comment about using LILO. It's a must-use for dual boot.

[Rob H]

I think by default, GRUB is installed for you.

[SOGG]

If this isn't a laptop, I'd suggest skipping dual boot and just using removable hard drives.

[MKTerra]

I forget whether the installer's changed, but if/when you get to this step:

http://static.flickr.com/6/11229311_b90309e46b.jpg

Don't pick "erase entire disk" ;)

[Spike-X]

*makes a note*

Good tip, thanks!

I've decided not to do it just yet. I don't have much download allowance left for the next couple of months, and I don't want to get cut back to dialup speed in the middle of updating something. But more tips and stuff would be great, if anyone has any more advice.

[Night]

Backup, install, repeat

[Rob H]

What're you running Spike? If you're installing on a low end system I'd recommend trying Xubuntu or Kubuntu(I've just downloaded Xubuntu for my Thinkpad T20).

Xubuntu uses the Xfce gui and Kubuntu uses the KDE gui. Both, in my opinion and from past experience are alot lighter in terms of memory usage etc. Something to think about.

[Spike-X]

My computer's only about six months old.

AMD Athlon64 3200+
1 Gb (2x512) DDR
plenty of HD space (I need to get the NTFS thing sorted, though - I'd like to be able to share data between OSes)
NVIDIA GeForce 6200 graphics card

[SOGG]

<space snippage> (I need to get the NTFS thing sorted, though - I'd like to be able to share data between OSes)
NVIDIA GeForce 6200 graphics card

The only way I've been able to do this is to keep them both on FAT.

[Spike-X]

I've already got 300-odd Gb of data on NTFS partitions. There's no way to convert them and keep the data, is there?

I have found a possible solution (http://www.linux-ntfs.org/), though.

[SOGG]

Interesting. Me and a buddy worked on something like that but it ended in tears. These guys look a little more pro though.

Also, it looks like they have issues writing to ntfs. Dunno about you but that would drive me insane.

I'd still go with a FAT home raid with swappable boot drives. HDD space is cheap these days. Even SATA/SCSI types. Not sure how it is in Oz, but here in the states you can get a 250gb drive for around 60U$. It's even better in HongKong.

Good luck!