linux download?

Question

ok can i download linux to my computer and then just use it because i dont want windows if i can do this

1)ho wdo i delete windows after i install linux
2)where can i install linux from
3)can i do this withought damaging my computer

if i have to do somthing else please let me know thank you

Answer 1

First, you must back up ALL your data. Then you can download any of the free Linux distributions: Debian, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Knoppix, Madriva Free, Open SUSE. Just google for them and you should be able to download them without a problem. These usually come as ISO images that you can burn to CD or DVD. Once you have the CD or CDs or DVD or DVDs (it all depends on you distribution), all you have to boot with the disc in your cd drive and the installation program should start. It will ask you whether you want to delete all partitions. Choose this if you permanently want to remove Windows (make sure you back up ALL your data first). This will format the disk and make it ready for Linux. After that the installation program should ask you a few questions (like the windows intallation program) and you will have a Linux computer. Doing this won't damage your computer, as long as you backup your documents before. If in the end you don't like Linux, you (backup first) can just reinstall windows from the Windows CD. Alternately, you can buy a comercial version of Linux, though they aren't any better than the free ones, though they do (generally) have phone and online support.