If you install a Linux distro onto the same harddrive as your Windows, in
all likelihood the Linux install routine will overwrite your MBR & your
ntldr or screw your bootmgr with the Grub bootloader. In other words, it
will screw up your Windows in as much as if you ever want to revert, you
will have to repair your Windows installation with the repair tools on the
Windows DVD. There is a workaround but it calls for Windows XP and a utility
named bootpart, but ...
Quite frankly, I would leave well enough alone and either 1. forget Linux or
2. run it in a virtual machine or 3. swap out the harddrive for another and
install Linux on this other harddrive. Should you want to return to Windows
just swap back in the Windows harddrive. There's also a linux CD you can
use to try Linux - you run linux off the CD - so you don't have to install
anything to your harddrives. Be careful not to run any linux utility that
will screw up your NTFS formatted harddrive partitions.
What you will find with Linux:
A few programs that work "OK" but have the look and feel of stuff from the
late 90's or year 2000.
An "OK" desktop and taskbar, somewhat customizable (and maybe even tricked
out with an effect) but sort of outdated anyway with a late 90's look and
feel.
Gigabytes of software, all very difficult to access or even discover, all of
alpha grade quality with incomplete menus and spotty performance (if they
even work at all) - and all of questionable security status.
There are thousands of inconsistent config files placed everywhere on the
system. Often manually editing these files is the only way to change many
system configuration settings. Quagmire.
Incompatibility with, well, just about everything.
An outdated difficult inconsistent command-shell system that you absolutely
must learn to work with the operating system if you want to do more than
surf the web. Honestly, you'd be better of spending your time learning the
Windows Cmd command-line or even better, how to learning how to work with
the Windows Powershell command-line. Then at least you'd be working with
stuff from this century.
In the end you will conclude that Linux is only passable as a backroom file
server or website server, but even then it's well surpassed by Windows
Server 2008 / 2008 R2. If you are working in an environment of politically
correct types with their tortuous opinions on everything - such as in a
university setting - you might consider linux to get along with these snooty
uptight self fawning divas sometimes mistaken for men. Be prepared for when
they demand that you say you think female bosses are great. Well, at least
linux is not all bad there because when these erudites are coming on to you
at least you can distract them with some config file complexity and save
your sorry ar^se. Suchly is life while enjoying all the difficulties of the
arcane outmoded convoluted pile of sh*tbits called a linux distro.
Have a nice week, Mr. Hatch.
"Bob Hatch" <bob.hatch@ymail.com> wrote in message
news:4b7e272f$0$14773$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
> On 2/18/2010 10:18 PM, Gordon wrote:
>> On 2010-02-18, Bob Hatch<bob.hatch@ymail.com> wrote:
>>> OK, I know this is not a Ubuntu group but I think I can get the answer I
>>> need from the folks here.
>>>
>>> I've decided I want to see what the heck all the shouting and arguing is
>>> about. I don't want a dual boot system and I don't want to have to swap
>>> out disks when I want to play with Ubuntu, so I'm wondering if Ubuntu
>>> will install and run in a Windows/Microsoft Virtual Machine.
>>>
>>> If so are there any potential problems I should be aware of.
>>>
>>> I do have one option and that is an external eSATA dock that I could set
>>> a disk in and install the OS there.
>>>
>>> I'm just trying to learn the best way to learn.
>>>
>> As one who had this question on my mind years ago, I would suggest that
>> you
>> set aside a partion on your HD for Ubuntu. If you have some spare space
>> the
>> Ubuntu installation will offer to use it by creating the partition.
>>
>> Virtualisation is okay but it is a OS operating within another and thus
>> is
>> not not the same in terms of speed or control.
>>
> Thanks to "most" everyone for the positive ideas and advice. I'll run it
> through my thinker and make a decision on how to go about this learning
> curve thing.
>
>
> --
> "Never argue with an idiot, they will knock you
> down to their level and beat you with experience."
> Unknown
>
> http://www.bobhatch.com
> http://www.tdsrvresort.com
2 AM, Bob Hatch wrote: