About Installing Linux

Hi,
I have a Lenovo laptop with Vista Home Basic pre-loaded. I want to learn Linux.
Now my laptop is some 7 months old. If I make a partition and install Linux, will it disqualify my warranty? And if yes, will it be ok to install after the warranty is over? I am going to ask the Lenove about it, but am a bit confused about issues with hardware and OS.
And would there be any issues with vista having Linux on other partition?
Also can anyone please tell me a free C compiler for Vista Home Basic?
Thank you.

You should try a Live CD,this will allow you to play with the OS without it ever touching your HD.

Simply download the live CD ISO and burn it to a disc,reboot your computer and your in linux! Remove the live CD reboot your computer and your back in Vista.

And would there be any issues with vista having Linux on other partition?

Do you mean a dual boot? If so then there should be no issues.

I recommend you try Ubuntu. http://www.ubuntu.com/

If you like what you see download Wubi. http://wubi-installer.org/

"mak_20789" wrote:will it disqualify my warranty?

For that you need to ask the manufacturer, not here.

If you are comfortable with partitioning, then it shouldn't matter. As for warranty, you should ask Lenovo about it.

I searched for live cd ISO and went to this site http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php
Here i see long list of options. Which one do I choose?
I would prefer one with smaller size.
Better still I would prefer to buy a CD as download will take too much time.
I have a connection thats not charged by usage or download, but still i would prefer to buy a CD if available.
Also, would using CD drive for long cause some problems with the drive? I ask this only because I am using a laptop and I dont want to open it. If it were a desktop I wouldnt have bothered.
Thank you.

You can order the Ubuntu CD for free. But it takes up to 6 weeks for delivery. You also need to register before you can order.

https://shipit.ubuntu.com/
https://shipit.kubuntu.org/

Using the CD drive for too long shouldn't cause much troubles. I've ran various Live CDs for days at one shot without spoiling the drive.

But your computer will slow down... LOL... as data are stored in memory instead of hard drive. It gets unbearable after a few hours, so not something to try.

About the Lenove warranty thing, I asked but what I wanted to do was just mention it...and in that post itself I said that I am going to contact Lenove about it. Was only confused.

I am going to join a Linux class two months later. Until then, I think I will download and use live CD.
I am downloading Ubuntu 7.10 desktop for platform i386.Hope this is correct. I am using Intel core duo.


It says It will take 8 hours at my speed.I dont know if it will be successful.

Yes, it's the right one.

You can also use a download manager. That should shorten the time needed.

My favourite - Download Express. There's a paid and free version available.

Another one - wxDownload Fast

Thank you. I will use that.

After installing download express I got the message: "it is recommended to close all open windows because download express will monitor clicks only in newly opened windows."
What clicks does it monitor?

It monitors files that can be downloaded.

Like ZIP, EXE, ISO, etc.