Weird Question about Linux

So I'm Running Windows XP now. But I been thinking of installing Linux on my PC. I have two Hard Drives. One IS a 250gb and the other is a 160gb. I have my Windows OS running on the 160gb. Can I install Linux on the 250gb? Then boot up my PC and it will tell me which OS I want to run? Or will it only read the Linux OS off my 160gb.

One more Question:

I want a Linux Os that can also run Windows apps. Can any of them do this. I heard of that TransGaming Crap. I Dont Care about Gamming on Linux I just want Apps to run on it. The only reason I'm doing this is becuase My Windows XP is always f'ing up on me and the only way I can fix it is via Live CD. Its annoying. Plus I love Linux.

Yes you can set up a dual-boot system. The installer for most Linux
distributions will do this without any fuss.


There is a Windows emulator called wine. I have had mixed results with
it. I find it can run any Windows program except the one I'm trying to
run at the time.

I dont see the point on switching OS if you still want to use applications written for another system.
//Danne

I'm not switching. I just want A alternative.

Install any user friendly distro like Ubuntu or Suse, they will have lilo or grub for you to choose to boot multiple operating systems from. And you can not run any Windows programs natively in Linux. You can use the WINE emulator but it will not guarantee 100% compatability with software. Transgaming isn't that great for gaming they have a limited support database of games. Just don't expect to be playing the latest and greatest games all the time. The description of WINE (Wine is not an emulator) makes me chuckle though.

emulator
One entry found for emulator.

Main Entry: em·u·la·tor
Pronunciation: 'em-y&-"lA-t&r
Function: noun
1 : one that emulates
2 : hardware or software that permits programs written for one computer to be run on another computer

Stop visiting porn sites and your PC will stop f'ing up.

Here are several sites that may help you. The last one probably has links to the other sites except the linuxforums which has a lot of information like this forum it is free, but you will need to register. I am in the process of building a Linux system, so I am doing a lot of hardware and SW research because I will not use Vista because of price and how much MS invades your system. Also read sever negative Vista reviews on ZD net and other review sites that have professional reviewers.

https://www.win4lin.biz/servlet/Detail?no=4

http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxoffice/

http://www.winehq.org/

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/

http://www.versora.com/

See Software restrictions: section on the following site:

http://www.michaelhorowitz.com/Linux.vs.Windows.html

Mack

even with an emulator,its no 100% , it wont run every windows software there is , some just wont work with it , youll just have to use the alternative linux software for example instead of microsoft office theres openoffice/koffice , but not every windows software have its linux alternative , theres no heavy duty video/audio editing/recording software for linux , and some linux softwares have an ugly user interface in compare to their windows alternative , linux is more secure then windows and more stable but overall its lacking in ease of use in that field theres no competition to windows , in linux you need to type alot of complex dos commands to get some things done , imo for a linux newbie xandros or linspire are best (not free unfortunatly) but easiest to use (for a person who never used linux before or who used it a little bit and doesnt know much about it)

edit as for "My Windows XP is always f'ing up" - i'd suggest just doing a format and fresh install,then install all the usual softwares/drivers and configure em right ,and use a disk imaging software , when things will go south,just restore the disk image will take only a few minutes and everything will work fine again

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Last edited by easterbunny; 22-04-2007 at 02:04.

If you want to try Linux, as mentioned earlier, just about any Linux distro will let you install along side a Windows installation without any problems. You would use a Linux boot loader which would allow you to choose which OS to boot to. Mandriva, Ubuntu, Suse, Fedora are good starting points for a Linux newbie. But, as was also mentioned, WINE can be a major headache... sometimes it works, sometimes it "half" works, sometimes it just plain doesn't. Also, Linux isn't quite as user friendly as Windows, even though some folks on the Linux side of the fence would argue otherwise. Linux can be a steep learning curve for somebody accustomed to Windows. If you have the time & like to learn new things, it can be quite enjoyable, but it can also be very frustrating.

Please note: I have no desire to start a Windows/Linux flame war here. I'm just stating my opinions, based on having used (and still actively using) assorted Linux distros for nearly seven years now. Both Linux & Windows have their strong points & both have their weaknesses. But, IMHO, Windows is the much easier to use of the two & the more productive OS for the casual home user.

Otis

I just started using Linux about 5 weeks ago. I installed Suse onto my Windows XP notebook - the dual boot set up for this system was very easy, as it does all the partitioning automatically for you.
When the pc boots I get a choice screen allowing me to select Linux or Windows - very easy.
I haven't found linux difficult to learn, in terms of using the applications and installed software. I have the KDE desktop and it is very "windows like" in appearance and feel. Pretty easy.
The main difficulties have been installing updates, and packages that don't come with Suse to start with, such as 3d graphics card support etc. That has been what you could call interesting or frustrating, depending on how much you like mucking about with new things.

I haven't found much use for Wine. I boot into Windows when I want to use a Windows application, but am finding that Linux KDE has a lot of applications that are good and I'm starting to use them instead.

Nah I arleady done that about a week ago. The probelm is that I guess I frequently install new programs about every other day. It can be hard on windows. BTW I'm not really a Linux newbie. That use to be the only os I use to run. Also MetalSlayerX, I have one thing to say............. I use a virus scanner..... for the aftermath of my..... "needs" and I pretty much ditched the whole running windows apps on Linux. I mean I'm not killing Windows.... Yet.