Can I install Linux?

[Alpha Nerd]

Can I install Linux on a different HDD with my W7 HDD unplugged? Will installing Linux mess up any configs that are setup by W7?

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

If you install Linux on a hard drive which is the only hdd in the system then the boot files will be on that hdd

Once the Linux installation is complete you will be able to re connect the windows hdd and use the bios boot menu to choose which hdd to boot from

By default windows can not see Unix file systems such as ext 2 ext 3 etc
Drivers are available to read and read / write Unix files systems from windows
Some free some chargeable

Modern Linux can read ntfs and fat 32 partitions and while in Linux you can decide which ntfs partitions can be accessed

Probably best not to mount the windows partition to ensure Linux can not change anything affecting windows

Depending on motherboard a F key goes to boot menu where you select which hdd or USB or DVD

Dell uses F12. Others F8. But read user manual for specifics

Regards
Mike Barnes

 

[Alpha Nerd]

Hi

If you install Linux on a hard drive which is the only hdd in the system then the boot files will be on that hdd

Once the Linux installation is complete you will be able to re connect the windows hdd and use the bios boot menu to choose which hdd to boot from

By default windows can not see Unix file systems such as ext 2 ext 3 etc
Drivers are available to read and read / write Unix files systems from windows
Some free some chargeable

Modern Linux can read ntfs and fat 32 partitions and while in Linux you can decide which ntfs partitions can be accessed

Probably best not to mount the windows partition to ensure Linux can not change anything affecting windows

Depending on motherboard a F key goes to boot menu where you select which hdd or USB or DVD

Dell uses F12. Others F8. But read user manual for specifics

Regards
Mike Barnes

thanks! I was just making sure it was not going to change any configs with the bios that would cause issues. I am trying to get into IT and I want to learn about all OSs that way I can be prepaired. PS. for future reference. A Dell XPS 720 bios has F2 as its boot option button. I also don't have to hit the bios button because for some reason my bios has a bug where it always asks me witch OS to use even tho there is only W7 to choose from.... Great job bios... your doing your job well....