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I just wanted to know, if a person does a full install of a Linux distro, what happens to the recovery drive, and the system drive. For example on my computer it shows three drives: ( C: ) , Factory_Image ( D: ) and HP ( E: ) . So what happens to the factory image and the HP drive?

And if they are wiped what happens if you should have to do a recovery after a Linux install. I know I could have went to a Linux forum, but being a tad lazy, I thought I would ask here.

Well, from what I know of computers I would say that when you do a full Linux install, it gives you the option to partition your drives. You can leave the C, D (odd that its D because thats usually reserved for CDs/DVDs), and E drive intact and create a new partition, or you can delete and merge the ones you want.

I would personally back up all your data to an external drive and completely wipe the computer if you are going for a full Linux computer. That way its all Linux and no hints of Windows (ie the Recovery Drives) will be left for any reason.

But, if you want to have a little bit of windows hanging around you can delete the C (which is the main windows obviously) and probably the E (Not really sure what is all in HP but since D is the recovery, I dont think its needed for anything special. Just extra crap that HP wants you to have) and leave the D drive there as I assume its only like 10GB usually for recovery. Then you delete/format the others and install linux onto the new fresh C spot and make it one large partition to take up the whole space.

In the end you will be left with C which is linux and E which is Windows Recovery.

That is my knowledge on the subject and I will be soon to follow in these footsteps because my Windows is starting to crash again. O.o Hope I helped some

Thanks Guest, I am still tossing the idea of Linux in my mind, as I have the same problem as you with windows and rather than do another system recovery I have been seriously investigating Linux as an option. But I was a little leery because of wiping everything as since i just found that you are able to do a recovery with Linux if you go back to Linux and I would just feel a little more secure with the proprietary recovery intact.

This is how the drives are set up on this beast of mine:

What a exciting time, learning the basics of linux takes a little time but i believe its well worth it.

First things first , i recommend using Ubuntu linux ( simply because i have only tried 2 others and i found ubuntu to be the easiest and best for me to use) . Also another reason i went with it was you can download the install file from the net and burn it onto a DVD ( nice and slow to prevent errors) OR USB and then boot of the live cd/usb and try it out before you delete anything. You will also be able to see if you will have any compatibility issues.

So is this a laptop your using OR a tower?
IF its a tower simply buy a new hard drive ( or format a old one ) and plug into the motherboard. Tell it to install everything onto the new hard-drive. This way you get to keep windows and Ubuntu linux will simply install a new boot manager called a "grub" that will let you select what OS you want to boot into.

BE warned i am by no means Trained in IT ( well not yet , maybe this year i will start some official course) , everything i know about computers is by breaking them and then having to fix them myself. What ever OS you choose , checkout the websites and forums , read as much as you can and if possible look for a bootable cd to try first.

I have a good copy of Ubuntu 10.04 that a member of a local LUG was kind enough to make for me This would go on my tower system. The only problem thus far , that I can foresee is the dial up. But apparently there is a US Robotics usb modem that is pretty much plug and play and the driver is preinstalled from what I understand. And everything else on my system seems compatible. Fingers crossed, so just waiting for the new modem to arrive and Linux I believe will become my new world. My new slogan will be:


I have downloaded and printed a few tutorials for beginners of Linux. So I should be good to go. Thanks all for your resopnses and advice.

Here crusty, I made this for you primarily, and for anyone else that wishes to know. :3

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=1102

Kherr wrote:Here crusty, I made this for you primarily, and for anyone else that wishes to know. :3

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=1102

Thanks Kherr, already read it and thanked you for it. Very good tutorial.

Just one more tech question: On the back of my computer there is a serial port plug in but it is covered with a plastic cover, if I take the cove off is it useable? Just want to know because I have an external serial port modem that I could use while waiting for the usb one.

You're welcome crusty. I thought maybe you'd like to keep your windows just in case. :3

I don't think I will keep windows as unlike the majority of the members here I don't do much hardcore gaming with the new stuff out there, I don't have a whack of music to save, the only thing I do have are my bookmarks and pictures which are already backed up.

When I save a bookmark I usually put it in an index with a notation about why I bookmarked it so if I don't go back for a while I know why I saved it. Hate to admit it but the memory ain't like it was. As faras utilizing the computer, I am still in the baby steps of learning so a switch won't, or should not bother me as much. Hell, I learned how to turn it on, so should be good to go.

i would keep the old windows partition on their. it is always good to have something to go back to the first time you use linux. (not go back permanantly but just momentarily to clear your mind) me and linux have had a loooong relationship but in the end it's what i love.) although right now im having to use windows cuz my Driver messed itself up. : | . that being said it is a learning curve crusty. but one well worth the time