Win7 and dual boot Linux

[bawldiggle]

I have a new Lenovo laptop with OEM Win7 Pro (64bit) -- 1TB HDD
- all I have done so far is charge the battery and booted ... nothing else ... (no updates, no installs ... yet!

My 2 year old Toshiba is in bad shape because of my ignorance.
- since joining sevenforums.com I have followed various tutes about SandBox, Imaging, Recovery, and Repair without actually doing any of them
- with the new Lenovo I would like to do a planned/considered setup before I start using the new PC
​

Q: I would like to have Linux Mint on the laptop ... if it is possible ?

Before using the Lenovo ...

1. Are there any do's or dont's with my proposal ?
   Lenovo does not have NVidia ... Recently I read Linux does not get along with NVidia
2. How would I create a partition for Linux and could I use whs's Mint on a stick to install Mint
3. Is there a risk of sabotaging Win7 if Linux shares the same spinner
   I know nothing about dual booting (only that I did manage to boot Linux Mint from a USB stick on a Vista PC)

I have not created either a recovery or rescue disks/discs for Win7 ... yet
Recovery and Rescue discs are for another thread elsewhere in this sevenforums.com

I would appreciate any advice for a dual-boot-n00b ... thank you

 

[gregrocker]

Start out with Clean Up Factory Bloatware which will turn off all the factory freeloaders that duplicate better versions of Win7 features, while leaving them for you to trial later to decide whether to uninstall. What they dont' need to do is start on Win7's back.

You'll never get native Win7 perfect performance however until you do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which has been used by over 1.5 million consumers without a single complaint. It compiles a perfect install which will stay that way as long as you stick with only the tools and methods given.

As to Linux, to add it optimally follow Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7. If you're planning to reinstall Win7 at the same time then start from scratch following Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux - Windows 7 Forums