How can i install the Linux operating system on a computer running vista?

Question

and if you could point me towards the site where i can download it?


and another question

can you install linux on a mac

Answer 1

Try Ubuntu ( http://www.ubuntu.com/ ). Download the CD Image and burn it on a CD/DVD.



This CD is what is called a 'LiveCD'. This means that the CD is a working environment. You can launch applications, browse the internet, even install applications, all from the LiveCD environment, which is the same as if it was installed. Only difference is that, whatever you do stays in memory, so when you shutdown/restart, all that is lost. The LiveCD allows you to test drive Ubuntu without making any modifications to your current setup (leaves your windows untouched).



One step further from that is to install ubuntu 'inside' your Windows. This is a neat way to get started with linux. While on Windows, pop in the CD and you'll get an auto-run with the option to install Ubuntu (via Wubi). It get's installed like a normal application and adds a boot option on the windows boot list. It does not modify your setup in any other way. You can remove it by uninstalling just as any other application. When you boot your machine, you will now have a second option to boot into Ubuntu. Basically what happens is, the installer creates a 'disk image' where Ubuntu lives and adds an option to boot from that image. There is a slight performance loss compared to a 'native' install in terms of hard disk speed (since you are accessing a file system inside another file system), but it's negligible and I find it the safest way for beginners.



Further from that, you can choose a 'native' install. If you tried the LiveCD, you probably have noticed an icon that says Install Ubuntu (or something like that). This will start the installer for a 'native' installation. This is a more 'intrusive' process, however it's very automated. It will reserve space in your hard disk for Ubuntu (create appropriate partition) and install a linux boot loader (replacing that of Vista). Being a native installation means there is no hard disk performance loss and presents a more permanent solution. I do suggest trying the Wubi installation (i.e. inside Vista) first.



Yes you can perform a native install of linux on a Mac. We have 2 Mac Pro servers running linux.

Answer 2

You have four options for installing Linux. I will take them in REVERSE order of desirability.



4. You can repartition your hard drive and install Linux in a new partition made by shrinking Vista (using I believe the Install disk). This is the oldest method (except) and you can ruin your hard disk that way, but it's an option.



3. Removable media. This is the except: when Linux was created there were still a LOT of computers around which ran off floppies, and there were computers which ran off floppies. Until about six years ago it was possible to boot Linux off a floppy and you can still get two floppy images which, using both, will let you boot. Most distributions have Live CD installers. You can install them from the CD or you can use the CDs as Linux systems. Alternatively, you can use a USB Flash drive and use that: the advantage there is the system is usually more rewritable Live CDs and you can use your hard drive -- most distros read and write windows files. Two helpful links for this are:



http://boot.kernel.org

http://www.pendrivelinux.com



3. Wubi allows you to run Ubuntu within windows. Go to:



http://www.wubi-installer.org for information. There is a gotcha I won't go into.



4. Use a virtual machine. This is an EXCELLENT tutorial which includes links to several major distributions. Try two or three and if you don't like 'em delete 'em.



http://www.pcreview.co.uk/articles/Windows/Run_Linux_in_Windows/

Answer 3

Depending on what type of setup you want, you'll have to either wipe right over Vista, or set up Linux on a separate partition so that it runs as a separate operating system (if you choose this option, you'll get a choice on startup on which operating system you want to use).



Linux is like the name 'Windows' - it signifies what the operating system's core is based on, but there are many different versions under that name (for example; Windows Vista). The most popular Linux distros (versions) are; Ubuntu, Fedora, and openSUSE. There are many other distros available, but for the beginner to Linux I would recommend Ubuntu; a sturdy and reliable all-round distro.



Installing Linux is easy, but it depends on which distro you choose as to what are the exact steps that you'll need to take while installing. However, the first steps are common in most distros; you'll need to download the ISO (a CD image), and burn (save) it to CD. When you put this CD into your drive, it works exactly the same as if you were installing Windows; you'll get a menu of available options and from there you need to refer to the help files belonging to the Linux distro that you choose.



Download the Ubuntu ISO: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Burn the Ubuntu ISO to CD: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

Install Ubuntu: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall

General Help with Ubuntu: https://help.ubuntu.com/9.10/index.html



Please make sure that you have read and understood all of the install instructions before beginning the installation - if you do it wrongly, you could, in theory, erase your entire Windows partition (and that includes your personal documents).



As for installing it on a Mac, I'm not sure. Mac has built-in limitations on the hardware that prevent un-authorised operating systems from being installed (an Apple Mac computer is both the hardware and the software). You certainly wont be able to install Linux on an out-of-the-box and non-modified Mac computer. Also, doing this would void your warranty. So I'm afraid I can't help you with this.

Answer 4

Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu



Ubuntu 9.10 Download

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download



Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic



Linux Mint 7 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed (mint4win is not available for Linux Mint 8)



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38



Linux Mint 7 Gloria User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide



Ubuntu 9.10 and Linux Mint 7 can be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive







LUg.

Answer 5

Each variant of Linux has it's own installer, which can be used on Mac or Windows.

Linux is not just one operating system, there are many variants of it.

My personal favourite is Debian, but that is for people with much computer knowledge. I recommend Ubuntu for people new to linux, you can get it at ubuntu.com.

Answer 6

You can also add a second hard drive and install Linux on that. Much safer than two system on one drive. I recommend Linux Mint, Super OS and Ultimate.

Answer 7

There re alot of versions of linux but for people new to it such as i, i would recommend ubuntu. yes you can use it all you have to do is go to ubuntu's site and download and run it, but you might miss all your old programs, you cant run windows programs, however, you can use an emulator called wine and it will let you run windows programs. hope this helped

Answer 8

you will regret trying linux it is awkward to use, poorly supported , has a limited range of software and needs more than a normal knowledge of computers and when a problem arises it can be almost impossible to solve and you have to start all over