I`m sorry if this is in the wrong forum, I couldn`t the right one.

I`ve been thinking of installing linux on my PC, mainly because there are several utilities out there that are linux only.

I have Windows 2000 Pro on my machine, and I`m happy with that. A dual boot system comes to mind. The thought of partitioning my drive is what I`m unsure about. I worry that I`ll screw something up and erase my W2K install!!!

I`m a complete newb to Linux, that`s part of the reason I want to install it. There`s so many flavours of linux about, I haven`t got a clue which one would be better for me.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated :) Or run me through what I have to do?

Thanks.

Hello,

there are more options for you to use:

if you want to use only unix shell, then there cygwin which is a Linux-like environment for windows. you can install it under your W2K installation.

if you want to run Linux under W2K, then you can install Virtual PC, then install Linux inside your virtual PC.

and the last option, is you install Linux on a spare partition, and have a dual boot.

for which linux distri, check Fedora 4, it is what i see to be the best for home use!

You can also try Knoppix. ( http://www.knoppix.net/ )
Its a nice Linux Distro that runs completly off the CD.
No need to install or partition.

I think I`m going to try the dual boot option.

A bit confusing at first, but which of the ISO images do I need to download for my 32bit machine? There`s loads of files!!!
http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/core/4/ppc/iso/

Actualy, you download them from here:
http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/core/4/i386/iso/

And you download these:
FC4-i386-disc1.iso
FC4-i386-disc2.iso
FC4-i386-disc3.iso
FC4-i386-disc4.iso

I believe you need all of them.

If you are going to reformat and repartition your hard drive:

Install Windows first.
Then install linux.

Windows doesn't like other OS's and it will mess up the linux boot loader.

May be you are seeking slakware.
You can find it at http://www.slackware.com/
Very stable and speed no so friendly but.

About boot loader is little easy first windows second slack and will find automatic both