dual boot systems

[subgenius]

I have a system running WinXP Prof. and I've been thinking about installing Linux on it as well. Does anyone have advice about:

1. how stable will my computer be with 2 OSs on it?

2. what brand and version of Linux do people recommend?

3. good resources for dual boot systems (installing/upgrading/maintaining)?

I don't know if this will influence anyone's opinion, but this computer will not be networked and I've never really used Linux before. Thanks.

My system:
Barton 2500+
1 GB RAM
2 x 160 GB Hard Drvies
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
Sonata case w/ 380W PS
32MB Matrox G550

 

[kamper]

1. let a linux-based boot manager handle the boot process. I've never had any problems doing it this way (but it wouldn't hurt to make a windows boot disk before changing anything). Also, try not to do any windows installations after any linux installations. My experience is that Microsoft decides to hijack whatever boot loader you used and makes for an ms-only system (again, create a boot disk for you linux install if you want to do it this way). That's just my experience though.

2. Redhat would probably be the most obvious if they hadn't changed their lineup recently. Does anyone know if Fedora is newb-friendly? I tried out Mandrake 9.1 a while ago and found it very user friendly. Good partition/mounting managment...

3. dunno, maybe see #1. Probably some people with more experience here can help you better than I.

Good luck in your quest to venture away from the evil empire!

 

[Ynog]

1. Computer will be no more stable than it would be if it had the two OS on separately.
Installing a second OS should not effect the stability of the machine.

2. I find Fedora to be newb-friendly. Redhat/Fedora/Mandrake. Any of those is good for a user. I have used Redhat for
awhile and Fedora now, so thats just my preference.

Somone else can give you a good partitioning tool if you don't have the space available for the install. I cannot
recommend one.

3. Not sure about what you are asking. Each OS will be maintained the same way you would maintain it if you were
just using that OS. Fedora/Redhat have an easier installer that will do everything, including setting up the bootloader.
I am sure Mandrake has one too. Upgrading can be done in Redhat through its up2date tool, I believe Fedora uses Yum,
and not sure what Mandrake uses. There are others, I think apt is another one. You can use those to upgrade/maintain your
system. Those are the tools for linux. For windows, they would be the same ones you are using now.