Dual boot - Windows & Linux - Full tutorial

[Dedoimedo]

Hello,

I have written a full step-by-step text and image tutorial to setting up a dual boot system with Windows XP and (K)ubuntu Linux. The guide mainly concentrates on how to properly identify existing Windows partitions and setup your (K)ubuntu installation.

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/dual_boot.html

Best regards,
Dedoimedo

[Carlos Santiago]

Dedoimedo,
Dual boot is NOT using other OS on a virtual machine.
Doesn't have anything to do with vmware!!!!

[Dedoimedo]

Hello,

I know that virtual machine is not dual boot. Please read the article more carefully. Virtual machine is merely a tool for demonstrating the things done. Virtualization is just a way of trying it, safely - before you commit to real hardware.

As you may notice, there are two operating systems installed, Windows and then (K)ubuntu. For all practical purposes, that is a dual boot system. Once practiced safely, it can be used on real hardware without any errors.

The emphasis is on partitioning, understanding the layout of the hard drive - which is one of the most difficult things for new Linux users.

For the sake of demonstrating the basic concepts, virtual hardware is as good as real one - especially when it comes to creating tutorials that have images ... which is what everyone does, unless they use a camera to take snaps of the monitor.

Regards,
Dedoimedo

[Carlos Santiago]

First of all I must regard you for your work.
But if I am allowed (and I know I am) I would like to make a few comments. Of course, you are free to follow them or not.

1) To make it more clear to newbies, how about using a virtual machine to take the pictures but explaining as it was a real machine. NOTE: The reader don't need to know how did you take the pictures.

2) Or be totally clear and title it with something like: "How to make a Dual boot over a virtual machine"

3) Last but not least, why don't you write your howto on this forum instead of redirecting to other link?

Doing this way you make people think, as I am, that you are using ubuntuforums to promote your site.

Cheers,

Carlos

[Dedoimedo]

Hello,

Regarding the virtual machines, you might need to read a few other articles to get the full idea.

But the main reason why I suggest using virtualization:
- Help overcome fear of making irrecoverable mistakes in real production environment. I know quite a few Windows users who would not try Linux on their machines - but they will try the virtualization.
- Experiment quickly with different setups.

Regarding the promotion of site:
- I asked for permission from mods before posting.
- I have no ads on my site and do not gather any revenue.
- My site has been up for more than a year.
- Writing a tutorial with all the imagery and such in a post is ... a bit difficult.

Cheers,
Dedoimedo

[Dedoimedo]

Hello,

I have slightly updated the article:

- clarified some of the existing explanations.
- added some extra information regarding partitions.

Regards,
Dedoimedo