EggXpert

Hi,

As of right now i am currently running Windows XP professional SP3, and i would like to install Linux on my computer as a secondary OS.

I for one do not know how to install a second OS on my computer without completely removing the old one, and i do not know how to duel boot OS's if it is possible with Windows/Linux.

If anyone can help me out on this it would be greatly appreciated.

The Linux OS is Ubuntu.

If i posted in the wrong place I am sorry.

I actually triple boot (and, at one time, even quad booted), so I'm no stranger to this issue :)

First off, every current version and distribution (including Ubuntu) should come with GRUB, a free boot loader.

Second, Do you have only one hard drive or more than one, and how familiar with partitions are you?

Now, if you have two hard drives, you can install Linux on the second hard drive and leave XP on the first.  During installation, Ubuntu will detect the presence of XP and install GRUB automatically, so you will be able to choose if you would like to boot into Windows or Linux whenever you start up your computer. The same thing goes if you have only one hard drive but that drive has multiple partitions on it.

If you only have one hard drive and XP is taking up the entire disk, things get a bit more complicated.  You will need to do one of two things:

1) Resize the partition that XP is on.  This is a bit of a pain and can be time consuming.

2) Delete XP, re-partition your hard drive so it has two partitions, reinstall XP and then install Linux.

3) If memory serves, Ubuntu will have the option to resize your current XP partition so it can fit Linux on that same disk. 

Either way, it won't be a painless experience, but it is doable. I highly suggest you back up all documents/music/pictures/etc before doing any of this.  You wouldn't want to have an accident or error and lose all of your data.

Oh, and unless the two operating systems are fighting with pistols, swords or fists, it is "Dual Booting", not "Duel Booting" :p 

As of right now i am only running 1 drive. i have decided to hold off on running dual os until i build me a new computer and have 2 hard drives. so it will make things much easier. and im holding off till i am ready to learn linux. because from my few experiences with ubuntu running my games and stuff on linux takes a bit of learning first. and right now i just dont have the time.

and thanks for catching me on that lol i didn't realize till afterwards. 

haha, no worries on the correction :)

If you were interested in "playing" with Linux in your spare time, you might want to consider downloading a "Live CD/DVD".  Ubuntu's install disk also contains a "live" portion. 

A Live CD/DVD will allow you to run the entire Ubuntu operating system from the install disk and your RAM, completely bypassing your hard drive.  It's really cool for goofing around with and getting used to Linux without having to install it.