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280

Easy Dual Boot Option

280 points posted to Operating Systems - Multiboot by brheitner Feb 14

IF Dell cannot have pre-configured Dual Boot Systems sold with both Ubuntu/Vista.

Can Dell include a utility to "MAKE IT EASIER" for the most basic of users to optionally install another OS?

EX- A utility that backop the HD, partions the drive, installs the Grub, Lilo or Custom Dell Boot Selector and then allows the user to install the new OS (EX: Dell Vista machine including the utility then the user can easily install Ubuntu without the "Fear" of running an ubuntu Live CD to partition the hard drive and install).

rebresb
Feb 14		 Maybe an option of how you want the HD partitioned would be easy. A choice of full or half (or such) for installation of the Dell-provided OS. That is then undisturbed when you install whatever you want on the other portion(s). Lilo or Grub could be provided by the 2nd OS. Those like Ubuntu recognize & configure Grub for other OS's.
marvink
Feb 14		 Vista allows you to shrink your partition... how much easier do you need it to be? I mean... you're loading Linux.
lugo02
Feb 14		 These ideas are not for the mass market but for a minority of GNU/Linux geeks, who can do it themselves, you don't need Dell holding your hand. Imagine the support nightmare for Dell, when they have to troubleshoot issues arising from these type of configuration, they will constantly have to send out their people to handle these issues on-site...
You guys seem to forget that Dell is a business, they are in business to make money. Not to provide charity to a few GNU/linux people.
brheitner
Feb 15		 This idea is NOT for the People knowledgable with Linux for they themselves easily know how to partition an already partitioned drive. This idea is spawned from the even better option of having a dual boot pre-configured System. The reason for this idea is to get around any issues Microsoft may pose for configuring a dual boot system and to alliow users to try a different OS (Like Linux (Ubuntu, Suse, Mepis, etc.. or even Amiga OS 5) and help Dell stop the people from going to the Mac looking for a "different OS" due to the different viruses/spyware on Windows or people who do not like Vista. I personally know a bunch of people who "almost" bought a Mac but bought a Dell instead after I promised to help install Linux as a "Dual Boot" with Windows on theiir machine. They were novice users looking for the "alternative" to the Windows environment but were scared to go totally away from the environment they were most comfortable with (Windows) when they heard that the Mac can easily Dual Boot Windows/OS X they became interested.

There are many people who would be willing to "try a different OS" but want the ability to run Windows in a pinch, these people are scared to install the new OS themselves and would need a simple alternative, most of the tools are available and with some small effort Dell can combine these available tools and make a more "User Friendly" option. People who already have a Dell machine can use these tools instead of thinking of "Apple".
voxpelli
Feb 19		 Perhaps Dell should start supporting Wubi? With it's help you can install Ubuntu from within Windows without risking your Windows-system - as easy as it can get in other words :)
perspectoff
Mar 2		 The dual-boot option is not just for a few geeks. My entire hospital is converting to Linux, and my laptop must connect to it. But some games still only work on Windows.

Therefore, I do most of my work on Linux, but games on Windows (since Wine and VM is not a walk in the park for most users).

Connectivity at work is much easier with Linux, as is shared databases (why do you think Google uses Linux?)

Why it is useful for Dell to provide the capability for dual-boot partitioning is that (although it has never happened to me), shrinking partitions prior to installing a new OS has a small risk of overwriting some data, especially some older security technologies that rely on a fix data storage on a defined part of the hard disk.

Microsoft Vista is a nightmare to install and use already, and reinstallation for any reason is dreaded by even advanced IT specialists.
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