download Linux free?

Question

where can i download a real good linux OS im running a windows xphome edition and windows sucks i wanna try Linux how do i download and install it?

Answer 1

Best version to try if you want to run from a live CD (or DVD) and keep Windows and your hard drive intact: Knoppix. Though several other versions of Linux have boot CD's that you can run "live" instead of installing, this one is specifically designed to run that way, and is faster and offers more boot options (such as moving it's files over to another drive - I used a USB flash - and freeing up the CD/DVD drive).

Best version for support and ease of use: Ubunto (Gnome desktop) or Kubuntu (KDE desktop). Try the live CD versions of both and see which you like better.

Note though that Ubunto departs from more traditional Linux systems in that (1) you don't create a super-user (root) in addition to a regular user account, and (2) all your files are, by default, stored in ONE partition. Other distributions keep the important system files in a separate partition with stricter access controls (you typically have to use the super-user to modify anything on the system's partition).

So what's another easy-to-use option? Mandriva. There are one-CD versions that you can boot from, your choice of KDE or Gnome. There is also a 4-CD set for installing on the hard drive.

Answer 2

I'm currently using Ubuntu which has already been mentioned.
Check out http://www.linux.org
They provide a search to help you filter through what kind of distribution you are interested in. Of course, when you see all of the distos available, you might be more confused than ever.

As far as downloading and installing: most or all distros are downloadable as .iso files. Burn the iso to a CD using Burn -> CD Image File. Then just boot to the CD you just burned and you can start the process. Ubuntu works as a Live CD which means that you can boot to the CD right into a working OS. This is a good way to try it out and make sure it meets your needs. Test it out and make sure you can get on the internet, etc. If you like it, there is an Install button on the desktop. This will take you through the process of partioning your hard drive for Linux. You can set it up so that you can dual boot Linux and Windows.

Make sure you defragment your Windows system before you start all of this. The disc partioning will work better if all of your windows stuff is clumped together and there is nice continuous section of free space to create the Linux partions.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

There are many different distributions ("distro's") of Linux. This site provides a good breakdown and links to all:

http://www.tuxcds.com/

If you've never had a chance to use Linux, I would suggest one of the more user friendly distros, like Mandrake, Gentoo, RedHat (Fedora) or Ubuntu. Suse is also very easy to setup and user friendly, however they do not make the OS available for free. Don't expect Linux to be exactly like Windows in terms of ease of use, there are inevitably a few challenges in getting it working exactly the way you want it. I'd recommend you do a lot of Googling or head to your local library for a few good books on the subject.

Answer 4

If you want to play around with Linux without much risk, you could download Knoppix and burn it to a CD. Then you can boot your computer with the CD and you have a self-contained Linux. You can then mount your hard drive and access it in Linux if you want.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

You could also download either Microsoft Virtual PC or VMWare Server, create a new machine, and install Linux, like Ubuntu, into that and use it there. You won't be able to access your Windows files that way, though.

http://www.vmware.com/products/server/
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx

Actually installing Linux on a computer that you have already been using is tricky. If you really don't care about what's on your computer -- files, etc -- then you can just get a Linux CD, then format your whole hard disk and install Linux from the CD. Similarly to Knoppix, you would burn the Ubuntu installer to CD, and then use that CD to install.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

The only reason ppl recommend Ubuntu over other versions of Linux is that Ubuntu is designed for people who are new to Linux. There's lots of others, and they mainly differ in what software they come with, what default appearance and interface they have, etc.

If there are files on your XP computer that you want to keep, you should back them up somewhere, like to a USB drive or external hard drive or online, wherever. You won't be able to use windows software on Linux; but there are Linux alternatives to most of them (though usually not games).

If yuo want to keep both XP and Linux on one computer, this gets trickier... You'll still have to reformat the hard disk, and back up your files. Then you'll have to learn to make multiple partitions on the hard disk, and then install XP into one (using, say, your XP recovery disc) and Linux into the other. In that scenario yuo can use your Windows files under Linux (but not the other way around) by mounting the XP partition.

This guide is for that exact scenario:
http://www.geocities.com/epark/linux/grub-w2k-HOWTO.html

Answer 5

definite, yet which form of linux? There are 1000's of options. in case you purely opt for to attempt it without easily wiping a gadget sparkling and setting up it, search for for a linux distibution (distro interior the vernacular) called Knoppix. that's a bootable CD that runs fullyyt in memory, without messing up your latest residing house windows setting up.

Answer 6

Here you have links to some versions of Linux:
http://www.kiete.com/download/linux/index.html
Good luck!

Answer 7

This is a very popular version of linux

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Answer 8

SIMPLE, YOU CANT. Windows may seem suckish, but it is the best option. and it is not smart to put lunux on a windows compuer. also, you cant get it back with your files so easy