Is it easy to dual-boot two distros of Linux?

Question

For example, if I just got this netbook and I want to both keep the linux distro that it came with and install another one, would I be able to easily do that the first time, knowing that I won't accidentally crash the computer?

If I want to dual boot Ubuntu and Mint linux, would I be able to easily partition this hard drive, then install Mint from a USB onto the other partition? I don't care if I can't access the other one's home folder, I just want to be able to have both installed on the one hard drive on this thing. Will that be easy to do? Please explain what things are because I can't compile something from source without looking up how to compile from source online.

Answer 1

no need for any compiling and the live cd/usb the will give you options on partitioning,



its not hard, but it may be confusing the first time,



i'm triple booting off 2 hdd's (2 linux distro's on one, 1 distro on the other), the later installs detected the previous installs and auto-added them to grub,



on the distro's i use (redhat based) there is a separate partition for /home so its easy to link all the systems to one set of directories - don't really know if it can be done on debian based systems (ubuntu and mint),



i believe there is an option to create a sort of 'rescue' disk in ubuntu, i think you should look into that before you proceed,

failing that then clonezilla can image your hard drive, just in case of a mishap

Answer 2

How to Dual Boot Linux Mint 9 LTS and Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2010/05/26/how-to-dual-boot-linux-mint-9-and-ubuntu-10-04/



Linux Mint 9 LTS Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52



Linux Mint 9 LTS Release Notes/User Guide

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.php





LUg.

Answer 3

Shouldn't be much of a problem except when it comes to bootloader.



Jplatt (you can chainload from grub2 to grub-legacy and vice versa)



I would suggest divide the partations manually using a live CD, then run the installer for Mint, but don't install a bootloader. Boot into Ubuntu and run "sudo grub2-update" and it should update the boot menu to give you an option for mint.

Answer 4

Once you have a separate partition set up it's a snap. I do it from the ground up. The only thing to REMEMBER is ALWAYS use the SAME version of GRUB for BOTH distros. If one has grub-legacy and the other grub2 it won't work.

Answer 5

the respond to your question will likely matter on the hardware you have yet in many circumstances Ubuntu will run without situation and without professional expertise required. fairly the main present day version 10.04 nicknamed "Lucid Lynx" My brother is an entire computing gadget amateur and has been utilising Ubuntu with none themes for the previous 2 years when I cautioned it to him. between the suited issues approximately Ubuntu is they grant a "stay CD" which facilitates you to objective out the working equipment by utilising booting it from a CD quite of putting in it. as quickly as booted, you could attempt it out. in case you identify which you like it you could basically click an icon on the Ubuntu own computing gadget and setting up it completely from there.