Ok, so I currently have Windows XP which is filled with crap. Idealistically I would like to wipe the Windows XP clean, start with a new slate, and then install Linux Ubuntu. If anyone could help other than just giving me the Linux Ubuntu website, I would really appreciate it.
Tagged with: crap • linux • slate • ubuntu • windows xp
Filed under: Clean Up Computer
I think the other responders have given good advice and links. I would like to add one more and suggest that you especially pay attention to; Glossary (keep it handy to interpret geek talk),Switching from windows, terminal program, (it may seem kind of strange but there will come a time when you will need to edit a configuration file), and FAQ.
Also use the forum for ubuntu to search/ask for info. Someone there will have had any problem you encounter and have a solution for it. There are a lot of people willing to help with any problem, and just ignore any jerk
Have fun.
May I suggest starting by using a virtualization product to enable you to run whatever flavors of Linux that you choose from within your running XP install? That avoids having to partition your disk into a dual-boot scenario and also enables you to try out multiple flavors of Linux to determine which one is best for you.
Sun has an open-source desktop virtualization product called VirtualBox that will allow you to run a number of guest operating systems.
http://www.virtualbox.org/
mate welcom to open source. Ububtu is a great alternitave to windows and all the bloat that comes with it. First off download the .iso for the latest ubuntu from http://releases.ubuntu.com/8.10/ and burn it to a dvd and load it from the boot screen. (if you are unsure how to do this, just google it but usually when you boot the pc it says which button to press). From the interface you can choose to do a straight install(ie. over windows), live cd (a option to run ubuntu of the cd without changes to the computer, this is a good option to experiment before you finally decide kill XP but keep in mind it will be a heck of a lot slower that when it’s installed onto the harddrive because you are running it off a dvd) and the dual boot option (which still gives you the option to use XP but really whats the point). Keep in mind that ubuntu isn’t the only liniux distrobution out there. Just google it and there are literally hundreds of diffrent liniux os’s like solaris, mint, xbuntu, fedora (my personal favorite) and many others. Good Luck
Don’t be too hasty.
Start with just using the Ubuntu live CD and play around with it. See how it works with your hardware. See how you like the interface. Get to know your way around the menus. Use the live CD for a couple of weeks.
If you still like Ubuntu, use Wubi to set up a no-fuss dual-boot with Windows:
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi
If, after dual-booting for another two weeks, you still find yourself booting into Ubuntu exclusively, then you can just install Ubuntu over XP:
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing
Weee! Yay! a question that gets me excited! I have been using Ubuntu for about 3yrs now and love it. Though I still have XP installed for games. You have many options infront of you to do this.
The current release of Ubuntu (8.10) allows you to do the following:
-Run Ubuntu INSIDE windows as a virtual OS so you can check it out and see whats what.
– Boot from the CD and use it as a "Live" CD
– Dual Boot (what I use), so that when the machine starts you can select what OS you wish to boot.
– Clean install, say goodbye to windows forever and just go with Linux.
All you need to do to get one of these is download the .iso image from the Ubuntu website (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download), burn it to a CD and yer good to go.
For the 1st option just put the CD in the drive while windows is up and running and it will ask you if you would like to do the install.
For the other options, boot the machine with the CD and select install from the menu and follow the options for the type of install you would like.
You will find there is a ton of help out there from both the Ubuntu and the general Linux community. The Ubuntu forums are a great place to find many answers to the questions you will have. Good luck and I hope you make the switch.