want to try unbuntu and linux or linux mint

[saul1991]

Hello i have a couple of questions i want to try a different os for my windows 7 computer but im pretty confused on which one too use. theres this one ubuntu Ubuntu online tour and then linux New features in Linux Mint 13 - Linux Mint which one should i try out and is it user friendly? and how many other os are there for windows 7 im pretty confused... and before i download it should i backup my pc before i install it. any input would be helpful. thanks

 

[Arc]

Linux mint is comparatively easier to use, as it's GUI is similar to Windows. On the other hand, Ubuntu or Fedora look a bit different, but the functions are basically the same.

It will be a good idea to take a backup before installation.

 

[saul1991]

Linux mint is comparatively easier to use, as it's GUI is similar to Windows. On the other hand, Ubuntu or Fedora look a bit different, but the functions are basically the same.

It will be a good idea to take a backup before installation.

thanks man im going to make a backup. if i install and use ubuntu how will i switch back to windows 7? is it possibly to switch back and forth between the both? and how many other os are there? sorry for all the questions im really curious i really want to try them all out.

 

[Arc]

Switch back and forth ? Dont need, you can install both of them in the same machine.

How many HDDs do you have ? (to determine the method os installation of the second one, linux).

There are a lot of other Oss like Open Suse, Red Hat, Puppy Linux, a lot.

 

[C-11]

I'd burn the iso file to a CD and boot from it before installing, then play around with it.

Try Ubuntu before you install | Ubuntu

 

[gregrocker]

If you Dual Boot it's best to install to separate HD's booted only via the BIOS, if possible.

Otherwise follow these steps to Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7.

GRUB boot loader can corrupt Win7 beyond repair when on the same HD. So save the image backup first. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

 

[saul1991]

Switch back and forth ? Dont need, you can install both of them in the same machine.

How many HDDs do you have ? (to determine the method os installation of the second one, linux).

There are a lot of other Oss like Open Suse, Red Hat, Puppy Linux, a lot.

What are HDDS? im just using windows 7 with a theme and custom cursor,logon,and bootanimation...
im going to try it out this way seems pretty easy and ill report back if it worked lol

 

[whs]

I run Ubuntu since years in Virtual Box. That allows you to run Ubuntu and Windows 7 in parallel without Ubunto mucking up your bootmgr.

As for the right distro, that is really a matter of taste. Mint is a modified Ubuntu version with an extra UI layer. I think that is just in the way. Fedora though is quite different.

 

[saul1991]

I'd burn the iso file to a CD and boot from it before installing, then play around with it.

Try Ubuntu before you install | Ubuntu

Install Ubuntu with Windows | Ubuntu
thanks im going to try out if i like it can i use this to install it?

 

[Arc]

Hard Disk Drives ... (not partitions).

Do you know how many you have ?

Before going to do anything, let us know your something more. Is there a recovery partition in your computer ?

 

[saul1991]

If you Dual Boot it's best to install to separate HD's booted only via the BIOS, if possible.

Otherwise follow these steps to Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7.

GRUB boot loader can corrupt Win7 beyond repair when on the same HD. So save the image backup first. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

thanks man im about to read the backup and dual boot thread you posted

 

[saul1991]

Hard Disk Drives ... (not partitions).

Do you know how many you have ?

Before going to do anything, let us know your something more. Is there a recovery partition in your computer ?

i dont know sorry im not that good with computers im trying to soak up as much info before i do it.im going to burn the iso like anaother memeber suggested and try it out and see if i like it i just dont want to mess up the computer and have to do a factory reset again lol.

 

[Arc]

i dont know sorry im not that good with computers im trying to soak up as much info before i do it.

In that situation I would suggest you exactly what WHS suggested, download and install VirtualBox, and install Linus in it.

 

[kado897]

Both Ubuntu and Linux Mint run well in VirtualBox and you won't bork your system.

Ubuntu.




Linux Mint.

 

[saul1991]

Thanks guys I tried running it through a USB ISO but it didn't work but I need some more help. I called Norton cause I was having issues and some Indian Guy picked up told me to go to ammyy.com so I did and I asked him why he said he was going to remotley control the PC so I said ok last time I called Norton did they the same thing but they used another app and this Guy wanted to use ammyy so that got my guard up and after the program started he said click on the option that would always let him access my computer with out permission . I didn't click it so after the computer connected to his I asked him what he was doing he said he needed to check some registry files I was like NA NA you ain't going to do that so I exited the ammyy app and asked him to end the connection and he said ok and he hunged up. So I read there's people that use this program to get your info. I'm in safe?? We were only connected for like 3 minutes tops.... I did a system restore....

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I called Norton

Any particular reason you are using Norton?

Even if you had a good reason, I would be highly suspicious of relying on any of their technical support that permitted remote access.

 

[saul1991]

I called Norton

Any particular reason you are using Norton?

Even if you had a good reason, I would be highly suspicious of relying on any of their technical support that permitted remote access.

my father bought a yr subcription so im stuck with it. yeah i know it sucks i had a hapilli virus didnt detected once then i downloaded malwarebytes it detected it and removed it i use both norton and malware. ive called their support before and they always download and install it for us remotely from their computers then they end the connection.

 

[SIW2]

I have mint12 installed on another partition - same HD as win 7. It works great.

You can backup your linux partition as an image - paragon will do it exactly the same way you back up and restore images of your windows partitions.

 

[mjf]

I called Norton

Any particular reason you are using Norton?

Even if you had a good reason, I would be highly suspicious of relying on any of their technical support that permitted remote access.

I use Norton NIS 2012 and supplement it with free Malwarebytes. Also, I have allowed Norton technical support rare access to my computer and watched like a hawk what they were doing. I then knew how to do it myself. Once their connection program was terminated that's it unless they left some sort of Trojan but any anti Malware software could do that.