can linux damage my hard drive??

TJ- · Oct 29, 2004, 11:53 AM

i might be instrested in instaling linux on my windows os.. you have to divide your harddrive,,, can this cause damgage and can it be reversed...? I only have 25 gig left,,, is this enough,,?

is linux even any good,, i just want to play around with it a bit to learn how to use it..

Matth · Oct 29, 2004, 12:27 PM

If you just want to try out Linux, try a "run from CD" distribution such as Knoppix.

TJ- · Oct 29, 2004, 01:27 PM

and where would i get that from...

Matth · Nov 1, 2004, 03:55 PM

http://knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

There are also a network of distributors where you can order a CD - they can probably supply other distributions as well.

TJ- · Nov 2, 2004, 03:12 AM

cool thanks.....

No_Style · Nov 3, 2004, 05:44 AM

You can also try running VMWare and creating a "Virtual Machine" to play with a full blown Linux Distribution. It's an expensive piece of software, but there's a 30-Day license for free

TJ- · Nov 4, 2004, 02:32 PM

man ur avatar is so addicting..... cant stop looking at it....

pr0digal jenius · Nov 4, 2004, 06:41 PM

yes..yes linux can hurt it...or rather...windows gets mad and commits hara kiri.

Anyways, i would run knoppix to learn linux, then do a full format of my HD, install a linux distro(Gentoo is my suggestion) FIRST leaving room for windows to be isntalled later.

Linux does a MUCH better job setting up dual boot then windows does, is why I say install linux first

Dawnrazor · Nov 6, 2004, 03:56 AM

I simply reinstalled an old 5gig HD to try SUSE 9.1 on. It can be frustrating to figure things out but I like it a hell of a lot. Way more than when I first tried Linux about 5 years ago

TJ- · Nov 7, 2004, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr0digal jenius

yes..yes linux can hurt it...or rather...windows gets mad and commits hara kiri.

Anyways, i would run knoppix to learn linux, then do a full format of my HD, install a linux distro(Gentoo is my suggestion) FIRST leaving room for windows to be isntalled later.

Linux does a MUCH better job setting up dual boot then windows does, is why I say install linux first

so u saying i should install linux before win xp..?

and im getting linux red hat,,, not knoppix... whats the difference. and theres alot of different ways to install it which is the best way, with and without windows already installed....

raid517 · Nov 11, 2004, 12:13 AM

No he has that the wrong way round. If you have Windows installed first, install Linux next. Linux will detect that you already have Windows installed and offer to allow you to dual boot. (To choose which you want to boot - Linux or windows). That way you can keep both.

I've done this maybe a few thousand times - so I'm pretty sure it should work in your case too.

GJ

shumph · Nov 17, 2004, 09:19 PM

Gentoo is great ( I use it myself) but its a little rough on the new users. I will admit that if new users stick it out with Gentoo they will have a better uderstanding of Linux.

TJ- · Nov 19, 2004, 06:26 AM

hmmmm.....

pr0digal jenius · Nov 19, 2004, 07:27 AM

my bad...Raid is right...windows first, as linux wont eat your partition table like windows does

sorry

TJ- · Nov 19, 2004, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr0digal jenius

my bad...Raid is right...windows first, as linux wont eat your partition table like windows does

sorry

yea thought so..... just waiting for red hat to arrive in the mail then the prophecy will begin.....

cypher_138 · Nov 21, 2004, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by battleaxe187

so u saying i should install linux before win xp..?

and im getting linux red hat,,, not knoppix... whats the difference. and theres alot of different ways to install it which is the best way, with and without windows already installed....

Fedora core would be Red hat and Knoppix when installed to the HD leaves a Debian system. Though Kanotix would be a better route if you plan on putting it on you HD. With both comes apt-get and other goodies. Than you have Gentoo which uses a BSD-like port system.
If you want a non committal BSD net BSD has a live cd as well. Than there's it's variant; open BSD. IMO these are mostly for servers. Free BSD would be the route to take for a desktop but be prepared to configure allot.

A good source of info on the many distro's is here:

http://distrowatch.com/index.php

Both BSD and Linux have very strong community's.

I'd say start with Knoppix than move to a Debian based distro. Than go Slackware to Gentoo. If you like Gentoo, move onto one of the BSD's.
Than you develop a deeper understanding of Un*nx-like OS's and how they work. This knowledge will help you choose which suits your needs best and establish a solid base.
We won't get into Sol10 though that is another route to explore if you choose.

Oct 29, 2004, 11:53 AM	#1
TJ- DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Infinity Posts: 3,679 Rep Power: 0	can linux damage my hard drive?? i might be instrested in instaling linux on my windows os.. you have to divide your harddrive,,, can this cause damgage and can it be reversed...? I only have 25 gig left,,, is this enough,,? is linux even any good,, i just want to play around with it a bit to learn how to use it..

Nov 3, 2004, 05:44 AM	#6
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	You can also try running VMWare and creating a "Virtual Machine" to play with a full blown Linux Distribution. It's an expensive piece of software, but there's a 30-Day license for free __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Nov 6, 2004, 03:56 AM	#9
Dawnrazor DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 100 Rep Power: 0	I simply reinstalled an old 5gig HD to try SUSE 9.1 on. It can be frustrating to figure things out but I like it a hell of a lot. Way more than when I first tried Linux about 5 years ago __________________ I am the way to the city of woe I am the way to the forsaken people I am the way to eternal sorrow Come...Walk with me

Nov 19, 2004, 06:26 AM	Thread Starter #13
TJ- DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Infinity Posts: 3,679 Rep Power: 0	hmmmm..... __________________ new sig comming soon

Oct 29, 2004, 12:27 PM	#2
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	If you just want to try out Linux, try a "run from CD" distribution such as Knoppix.

Oct 29, 2004, 01:27 PM	Thread Starter #3
TJ- DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Infinity Posts: 3,679 Rep Power: 0	and where would i get that from...

Nov 1, 2004, 03:55 PM	#4
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	http://knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html There are also a network of distributors where you can order a CD - they can probably supply other distributions as well.

Nov 2, 2004, 03:12 AM	Thread Starter #5
TJ- DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Infinity Posts: 3,679 Rep Power: 0	cool thanks.....

Nov 4, 2004, 02:32 PM	Thread Starter #7
TJ- DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Infinity Posts: 3,679 Rep Power: 0	man ur avatar is so addicting..... cant stop looking at it....

Nov 4, 2004, 06:41 PM	#8
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	yes..yes linux can hurt it...or rather...windows gets mad and commits hara kiri. Anyways, i would run knoppix to learn linux, then do a full format of my HD, install a linux distro(Gentoo is my suggestion) FIRST leaving room for windows to be isntalled later. Linux does a MUCH better job setting up dual boot then windows does, is why I say install linux first

Nov 11, 2004, 12:13 AM	#11
raid517 DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,518 Rep Power: 0	No he has that the wrong way round. If you have Windows installed first, install Linux next. Linux will detect that you already have Windows installed and offer to allow you to dual boot. (To choose which you want to boot - Linux or windows). That way you can keep both. I've done this maybe a few thousand times - so I'm pretty sure it should work in your case too. GJ

Nov 17, 2004, 09:19 PM	#12
shumph DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Gentoo is great ( I use it myself) but its a little rough on the new users. I will admit that if new users stick it out with Gentoo they will have a better uderstanding of Linux.

Nov 19, 2004, 07:27 AM	#14
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	my bad...Raid is right...windows first, as linux wont eat your partition table like windows does sorry