if i install linux on a hard drive will everything be erased?

Question

I just burned ubuntu to a live cd. I want to know if i install it on my second hard drive will it erase my data on it. If it does can i add files on it when in windows and not harm ubuntu.

Answer 1

Partition your second drive to make room for the Linux OS. You will have to install a "boot loader" on your primary drive so it will prompt you which OS to boot. Just look up the howto's for the distro install, and you should be fine.

If you really want to be safe, make sure you backup your files first - which is always a good answer...

Answer 2

Well see, it is the way you approach it. There is a way to install multiple processing systems on a single computer but it is long and complicated and you have to be really computer savvy to know how to do it. But, i'm ok with computers, and I also have two hard drives (do you have a sony, cause that's what I have?) and they are partitioned, so one drive doesn't have anything to do with the other. So you'll be fine. Just in case, back up your files on the hard drive you're going to install it on but the other hard drive won't be affected at all.

Answer 3

No it won't erase your files. It is possible to have more than one operating system on a PC. When you boot up, you will be given the option of which operating system you want to use.

Chuck
http://www.ebusinesswiz.com

Answer 4

This question has been asked a million times. Do a search in resolved questions for "linux" and "partition" and you'll find your answer.

Answer 5

if you have an extra partition on your hard drive to install to, no, if you use your main partition (AKA: "C:" drive) yes, everything will be deleted. it will reformat what ever partition that you decide to install it on.