Help needed on Installing Linux

[Archie42dj]

Hi all,
I'm completely new to Linux (so forgive me if this is a n00bie question), but is there a way of installing Linux as a kind of primary OS, so without installing it without windows installed. The reason I would like to know is because I have an almost completed gaming rig sitting next to me, but i have run out of money and therefore cannot buy windows yet, but i would like to be able to use it, just until i save up enough for my operating system. Any help is greatly appreciated
Thanks

 

[Pr3d4t0r]

Auaaa

first of all; did you ever use linux?

if thats a no then dont even bother installing it. Linux as it currently stands is an open source OS although there have been few gui changes since original it is still a CLI OS and if you dont know what that is then you should probably just go for ubuntu.

ubuntu is probably the most windows alike os and is alot easier to use then linux imo.

I might have a spare xp sticker around somewhere, but i might have gotten rid of it, ill have a look but no promises.

 

[SieB]

How long before you can buy Windows?

You can use Windows for 28 days as a trial before you have to buy a key. If you know anyone with a copy of Windows, use their disk to install Windows and you will be okay for 28 days, after 28 days though, it will ask you for a key to activate it.

 

[Archie42dj]

Thanks for your help guys, I'm afraid i dont know anyone with a copy of windows, and it will probably be a couple of months before i can buy windows anyway. Ubuntu does seem like a good option though. Is there a way of installing it without windows? But seriously, thanks for the help

 

[howies]

download the iso from here http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

then download linux live usb creator from here http://www.linuxliveusb.com/en/download

then follow the instructions

you will want to create a normal bootable usb so dont worry about "enableing persistance mode" you dont need it

then once that has finished reboot the pc and boot off the usb

you will then be in ubuntu, from there you can install linux as a os, as right now you are running linux off the usb.

there should be a installation icon on the desktop. run that and then follow the instructions.

 

[dragoonk]

You can torrent download windows and use it till you get an original copy.

 

[Archie42dj]

I'd rather not download windows illegally (and it would never download due to my terrible internet connection )

and thanks for the advice about running ubuntu from a usb, it helped me out a lot i'm downloading ubuntu now

 

[Archie42dj]

Thank you so much everyone, i just installed Ubuntu on my pc and everything is working fantastically

 

[Pyridine]

If you get bored with Ubuntu I would suggest trying out Linux Mint. It's great for beginners.

 

[howies]

I'd rather not download windows illegally (and it would never download due to my terrible internet connection )

and thanks for the advice about running ubuntu from a usb, it helped me out a lot i'm downloading ubuntu now

no problem mate

 

[andrewmchugh]

If you get bored with Ubuntu I would suggest trying out Linux Mint. It's great for beginners.

Just use mint, its either a pure Debian base or ubuntu spin anyway. Ubuntu 12.10 is god awful with all that amazon crap.

 

[computergeek]

You know there is an alternative Kubuntu 12.10 funnily enough and it works just fine, I use it on my laptop when I am away from home.
Which funnily enough I am right now and, I am posting from this old Asus X58L laptop with upgraded faster 2GB DDR2 sdram setup.
And with a 2gb swap partition and a 250 sata upgraded hard drive, it works just fine on this older machine so it should work just fine on your new desktop machine mate.
Let me break it down for you Ubuntu=Gnome Desktop.
Kubuntu=KDE Desktop.
Slackware(Unix)=More for the power user not average end user.
OpenSuse=Originally based on Slackware.
General Linux Install=ext3 but most usually nowadays ext4 primary partition for the file system and a swap partition. A swap partition is the equivalent to the windows pagefile system.
Grub Bootloader=Allows you to boot multiple Operating Systems individually of course when you boot your PC so if you wanted you could dual boot a version of windows and Linux or multiple versions of Linux if you prefer?
And even if you install a copy of windows onto a new partition but you still have retained the Linux partitions, you could can just use a Linux live cd such as the Linux live cd you used to install your choice of Linux beforehand to reinstall/update grub. And you will now be able to access both your chosen installation of Linux and your windows installation at boot, enjoy.

 

[altereDad]

Many options of Linux are available. I was looking at Zorin OS which has a changer to make it look much like Windows. It's another Debian/Ubuntu flavour. Stick with LTS 12.04 Ubuntu if you do have it installed. If you're graphics oriented and like the Ubuntu, you can get Ubuntu studio as well. (Google)