Why Windows Blue heralds the death of the desktop

King Arthur said:

I was talking in regards to desktop usage of Linux, IE workstations used by employees at a company to crunch spreadsheets and write up paperwork or your at-home PC that your mother might use to calculate taxes or manage her blog.

Server usage of Linux has always been a major player alongside Windows servers and Red Hat is a shining example of it. Sadly though, bringing up the success of server Linux in a topic about desktop Linux is akin to comparing apples to oranges; they're both Linux, but their intended markets and uses are completely different.

King Arthur. That is exactly why I have installed several different Linux versions on a VM and have installed Mint on my PC. I am going to learn it. I do not want to go the path M$ has chosen. Over the years I have spent thousands of $ on software, Operating Systems, Office Suites, Map Programs, Utilities, Games etc. I can use what I have and eventually 2 things will happen. 1 I'll be using Linux and won't care a monkeys or 2 M$ will come to their senses and produce an OS without the playmobile interface and with a desktop akin to Windows 7.

This "blue" is allegedly a SP for win 8.

x BlueRobot said:

I'm running Linux in a VM, although, I would prefer to dual boot with Linux since my hardware isn't exactly the best for running a VM with ease, but I'm afraid of the complications between GRUB and the Windows Boot Manager.

Create a backup HDD image, before you start using Macrium Reflect (or something similar).
Remember to create the recovery disc, before you try installing the second OS. :)

I pre-partition and format my HDD using GParted (so I don't get the System Reserved partition).
Obviously:

• Windows: NTFS
• Linux: ext4

I don't let the Windows installer reformat the partition.

I install the oldest version of Windows first (XP) and then the later versions (W7).
Finally I install Linux.

Using this method, I've never had boot problems related to the installers.
I have had problems caused by my own mistakes (e.g. failing to disconnect secondary HDDs).

A lot of the threads I've seen, where the poster has had problems dual booting, have involved the System Reserved partition.
Note:
I'm not saying that the System Reserved partition is solely responsible (I haven't read every thread related to dual boot problems).

mart4494 said:

Think that will be the case with many W7 users. Hopefully though it will still be possible to install W7 on new hardware especially that UEFI (or whatever it's called) bios.

It should still be possible to install it in a VM and run it on a Linux host.

Don't forget that (if they are still around) desktop PCs will be a lot more powerful ("Moore's Law" suggests 16x - 32x).

Dallas 7 said:

Gary said:

I read somewhere today that Dell is for sale.

"It's unclear if Silver Lake, Blackstone, or Carl Icahn will buy out the PC maker, but Michael Dell is reportedly saying he'll only support Blackstone if he remains the company's CEO."

Dell CEO said to mull Blackstone buyout only with CEO assurance | Business Tech - CNET News

I read an article a few weeks ago suggesting that MS might buy some of Dell.

lehnerus2000 said:

A lot of the threads I've seen, where the poster has had problems dual booting, have involved the System Reserved partition.

That why I recommend removing it if you do not need it - it avoids the Wiondows bootmanager and GRUB interactions:
Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux

Golden said:

lehnerus2000 said:

A lot of the threads I've seen, where the poster has had problems dual booting, have involved the System Reserved partition.

That why I recommend removing it if you do not need it - it avoids the Wiondows bootmanager and GRUB interactions:
Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux

IMO, it's probably better to avoid it in the first place (i.e. prevent it from being created during the install). :)