multi boot linux, windows 7 and 8?

[IHateMyJob2004]

Best way to do this?

Building a desktop that is i5 based.

What linux distro is everyone in love with these days?

 

[lxskllr]

Old Windows-new Windows-GNU/Linux in that order. Mint would probably be a good one to try.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

What do you mean by order? The default would be to boot Windows 7? I'd be fine with that.

I have an MSDN license and was actually thinking that i might do more than one version of Windows 8. Can I add more later on easily or is this the sort of thing I need to plan up front?

Linux Mint is a favored distro these days?

What do I need to know about setting upa PC to mutli-boot?

 

[ViRGE]

What do you mean by order?

He means the order to install the OSes. You want to do Windows in release order, and then Linux so that GRUB takes precedence and finds the existing Windows installations.

 

[lxskllr]

What do you mean by order?

Installation order. You can deal with the boot order after they're installed. There is no favorite distro. Mint's popular, but it's an individual choice. I prefer Debian. Your best bet would be to try a few in live sessions to see what you like.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Easier to keep windows on it's own drive and put Linux OS(s) on another. Windows does not play well dual booting with Linux. It DOES work, just a royal pain in the ass to get it to work. I never succeeded and just called it quits and bought another SSD.

Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu seem to be popular but there are others of course as well. I personally run Xubuntu. When I decide to change I may try something else, just to try it. Windows 7 on a separate drive.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Is there a good article on recent linux distros for newbies? Something that compares features?

 

[jolancer]

my 2cents goes along with Red Squirrel but less pesemistic in this case lol. If you dont want to take the time to learn some precaustions or fixs to issues you may encounter tryn to duel boot it is very likely not worth the hastle for most users.... Unless its 1windos OS and a distro such as Ubuntu that will automatically set it up, it has the Install along side windows Option.

If your that into comps tho and dont mind the details or issues you may face its doable, easy for those who know what there doing and familiar with linux... lol its infinetly easyer for those already familiar with linux.

heres some of the links i used..

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Multiple_OS_Installation#Partition_design

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MultiOSBoot#Using GRUB Legacy for the boot partition

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/dual_boot.html

After i became familir with linux and dual boot basics, it was easy to dual boot Xp and Linux... i can only imagine what win8 may do though lol

I used seperate grub bootloader as described in the lniks, that way you can add/reinstall or remove linux distros pritty easily

EDIT: you might like this....
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2091105

EDIT: oh yeah, also i used this for setup an testing
http://www.sysresccd.org/SystemRescueCd_Homepage

EDIT: bottom of this page has some usefull linux newb links
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/gparted.html#mozTocId856019

 

[Red Squirrel]

Oh XP and Linux is easy and does not require anything special. 7 is where it gets harder. But yes it is doable. I just don't find it's worth the hassle when you can just use another drive. KISS. 😉

 

[Steltek]

Installation order. You can deal with the boot order after they're installed. There is no favorite distro. Mint's popular, but it's an individual choice. I prefer Debian. Your best bet would be to try a few in live sessions to see what you like.

Have you tried Linux Mint Debian Edition yet?

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

 

[ControlD]

Why not just install each OS on its' own drive? I have a triple boot system right now (Windows 8, Linux Mint, OS X) with each OS residing on a different physical drive. I just hit the startup boot menu and select the OS I want. Just disconnect the other drives when you install a new OS, reconnect when done and go with it.

I would go with something Debian based for a first Linux. Application management is top notch with Debian systems and their is a ton of community support. One of the 'buntus or Mint is a good place to start IMO.

 

[lxskllr]

Have you tried Linux Mint Debian Edition yet?

No, I haven't. I haven't run any of the Mints outside of a vm. I'd be hesitant to recommend it to someone new, which is what Mint is usually best at. With the constant stream of updates, you can occasionally get a buggy package, and someone new to GNU/Linux might not be best equipped to handle it. Aside from that caveat, it should be a good distro for someone who wants a rolling release.

The reason I run Debian rather than an offshoot, is I find their philosophy more agreeable. They value and promote libre software, rather than the anything that works philosophy of the *buntus. A default Debian install will be 100% libre, but unlike the FSF certified distros, it isn't terribly hard to add non-free software. I have some non-free stuff on my system, but I consider that sub-optimal, and only a stop gap measure until I can get rid of it. The *buntus treat non-free software as desirable, rather than a (somewhat)necessary evil.