Linux on a Windows PC

[Robert Keneely]

Is it possible/practical to install Linux (Mandrake or Red Hat) as a "dual boot" set up on what is presently a Windows PC ??

1) Would the graphics/sound cards require any change ?
2) What kind of modem would be required ?
3) What kind of internet browser would be needed ?
4) Can the required software be download as shareware/freeware ?

These are just a few of the many questions I have, all responses and information will be appreciated.

[nomo_green]

yes you can install linux and windows on the same pc. you'll need to set up a partition for linux for reside on. this will require that you resize your windows partition, or add another drive (i'm assuming windows is using the entire drive). partition magic will allow you to resize your window$ partition without losing data.

if your hardware is current and a popular name brand, you should be fine, however you may want to browse through mandrake's and redhat's hardware compatibility lists. nvidia has excellent linux driver support and i have yet to have any problems with soundblaster live cards. your modem should be fine, unless it's a winmodem of some kind.

as far as software, there is always a steady supply of freeware, opensource software available. there are also several browsers that work with/come with linux.

HCL lists:
http://www.redhat.com/support/hardware/
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/hardware.php3

hope this helps, and we look forward to seeing you on linux soon! :D

[Robert Keneely]

Nomo_Green

Thanks for your response, I was waiting to see if there were any others. I am going to a local computer show on Monday and will look for a copy of either Red Hat or Mandrake. I will probably be posting back here with more questions.

[jaygee432]

About winmodems, when I first got into linux aver 3 years ago, the prospect of ever getting one to work in linux seemed bleak. But there has been progress, so that you can't rule any particular one out now without checking. www.linmodems.org is a good place to look, and sometimes you can get linux drivers at the vendor's site. I got a conexant HSF to work with slack 8 that way. But it was challenging and sometimes the modem did not want to shut off when it was supposed to. I can see why many still find it more worthwhile to avoid these issues by paying a little more for a hardware modem.

[Infrastructure]

I don't know what flavour of Windows you have, but this link might help you set up dualbooting:

Dual booting Windows XP or 2000 with Linux (http://www.redhat.com/advice/tips/)

[Robert Keneely]

Thanks for response,
I have a "hardware" modem [after major headaches with Motorola SM56] so I am hopeful that modem won't be problem, but I will have to leave AOL for probably Netscape.

[Robert Keneely]

My PC is running Win98SE and has two hard drives. The "main" drive (40 gig) is where everything is. The second drive (20 gig) I was planning to format/partition and make it "Linux only".

P.S. I come here from Smart Computing's Forum and this site is so much more "high tech" I am still groping my way around.