Linux within Windows 7

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 111
    Win7 Ultimate/X84
       #1

    Linux within Windows 7


    Hey, I just decided to move to Linux Ubuntu,but I don't want to remove windows 7 from my computer, I'd like to have them both installed on my PC and make system let me choose which OS I want to boot ,everytime I turn the computer on.

    There are few questions that I'd like to get answers to :)
    1.What software do I need to install Linux together with Windows

    2.Is Ubuntu the best choice for a PC with folowing system specs:
    CPU- intel celeron 2.8Ghz
    Memory- DDR3, 2GB
    HDD- 160GB(ATA)
    32bit system

    Thanks in advance!!! :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #2

    Hi,
    All you need is Universal Linux installer to create a bootable usb device for the install
    Personally I use mint mate 17.1 but Zorin is more like win-7

    I would dual boot the old fashion way on it's own ssd or hdd not on the same disk
    Why
    Linux can see and access windows but not the other way around
    Meaning any corruption you get in Linux will transfer to windows
    Linux isn't effected by a lot of items windows is

    So even transferring files is a risk for corrupting windows but then you get into accessing windows and how easy it is

    I'll also say to dual boot with Linux if you have a system reserved partition and make a partition for Linux to install on it will fail
    At least it did for me
    I did install along side as a last resort at the time but that is for the same above reasons too close of a one sided relationship

    Put each on it's own drive and be done with it No grubs to mess things up......
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 111
    Win7 Ultimate/X84
    Thread Starter
       #3

    ThrashZone said:
    Hi,
    All you need is Universal Linux installer to create a bootable usb device for the install
    Personally I use mint mate 17.1 but Zorin is more like win-7

    I would dual boot the old fashion way on it's own ssd or hdd not on the same disk
    Why
    Linux can see and access windows but not the other way around
    Meaning any corruption you get in Linux will transfer to windows
    Linux isn't effected by a lot of items windows is

    So even transferring files is a risk for corrupting windows but then you get into accessing windows and how easy it is

    I'll also say to dual boot with Linux if you have a system reserved partition and make a partition for Linux to install on it will fail
    At least it did for me
    I did install along side as a last resort at the time but that is for the same above reasons too close of a one sided relationship

    Put each on it's own drive and be done with it No grubs to mess things up......
    Thanks for reply ! So,you think I should install linux mint?
    I know I'm going to face some serious issues,but I'm very very curious about Linux,just wanna know what
    it's like to work in Linux system :)
    Can I make bootable usb using a software called rufus?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    You don`t have to install Linux Mint or Zorin or Xubuntu or Ubuntu to use them, just run em off a flash drive to try them, and see if you like them.

    You can use rufus or...

    Universal USB Installer ? Easy as 1 2 3 | USB Pen Drive Linux

    Any of the above systems will run fine with your specs, but I`d seriously replace that Celeron and put 4 GB of memory in, if possible.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #5

    Mint mate is more like x-p than win-7
    I'd say check out Zorin first it might be more familiar than mate
    Mate is more complicated
    Member whs made some videos you can watch
    Emergency Kit - save your files from a dead OS

    Zorin has a take a tour don't forget to check out the minimum system spec's first,
    Zorin OS - Home

    I believe the terminal is the hardest thing to get used too
    Pretty much like command prompt in windows on steroids :)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,030
    Linux Mint / XP / Win7 Home, Pro, Ultimate / Win8.1 / Win10
       #6

    Hello DK -

    As above, you can try many Linux distros by booting to a live USB drive or CD without touching your hard drive.

    I have been using Windows since version 286 (1988?) and various flavors of Linux since 1999 so you can take my comments or leave them...

    As of today I would recommend you try Linux Mint 17.2 but the USB bootable is NOT as posted above...see this link:

    How to install Linux Mint via USB - Linux Mint Community

    Zorin OS is also a good entry into Linux:

    Zorin OS - Home

    Just remember this: Linux is NOT Windows. Linux today allows more user customization than Windows so if you don't like the default menus, trim, etc. you can change it (try that with Win10). Most Windows users have never experienced the degree of GUI customization available in many Linux distributions.

    If you find a distro of Linux you want to install to your hard drive, first clean out crap you don't need then shrink your Windows partition (s) to provide around 15GB (or more) of free UNALLOCATED space.

    Install your choice of Linux distribution - it will find your Windows and add a boot loader. When you boot up you get a screen to select what to boot: Linux or Windows. Couldn't be easier.

    Regards,
    GEWB
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #7

    Yep that's what I used PenDriveLinux universal usb installer to create the bootable flash media
    I'll have to see if my mate updated or not to 17.2 ?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 111
    Win7 Ultimate/X84
    Thread Starter
       #8

    AddRAM
    ThrashZone
    GEWB
    Thanks you very very much !!!
    Today,I tried to install Linux Mint with an USB flash drive.
    I used Universal USB Installer to make the USB drive bootable,but when I started installation process only blank page appeared.
    I waited for a minutes but nothing changed...
    I guess,something went wrong when I was making the flash drive bootable,maybe it was a problem with the file that I was trying to make bootable :S I'm gonna try this evening again.

    If I decide to install Linux Mint Mate or Zorin OS without an original CD(I'm going to download from the official website) ,will the important drivers automatically be installed or I'll have to download them later?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #9

    Hi,
    Yes drivers will be installed
    There's quite a few youtube videos on installing and setting up either Linux flavor
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYDdvWOzqJY

    When dual booting your windows clock might be off so you might need to do this after in mint or probably Zorin too ?
    Linux Mint Forums ? View topic - "Solved" Clock 6 hours advanced switching back to win-7
    Open terminal and type the string in the code box,
    Linux within Windows 7-linux-clock-change.jpg
    Last edited by ThrashZone; 14 Aug 2015 at 07:47.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 111
    Win7 Ultimate/X84
    Thread Starter
       #10

    ThrashZone said:
    Hi,
    Yes drivers will be installed
    There's quite a few youtube videos on installing and setting up either Linux flavor
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYDdvWOzqJY

    When dual booting your windows clock might be off so you might need to do this after in mint or probably Zorin too ?
    Linux Mint Forums ? View topic - "Solved" Clock 6 hours advanced switching back to win-7
    Open terminal and type the string in the code box,
    Linux within Windows 7-linux-clock-change.jpg
    Thanks thanks thanks!
    I used Universal USB Installer to make the USB drive bootable,but when I started installation process only blank page appeared.
    I waited for a minutes but nothing changed...
    I guess,something went wrong when I was making the flash drive bootable,maybe it was a problem with the file that I was trying to make bootable
    What do you think of this ? Could the problem be caused by the OS image or it's something else?
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:32.
Find Us