Debian dual boot with Windows 7

[gaf-mNDKBlG2WHs at public.gmane.org (Jerry Feldman)]

On 05/05/2010 08:42 PM, James Kramer wrote:
> On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 4:40 AM, Jerry Feldman <gaf-mNDKBlG2WHs at public.gmane.org> wrote:
>  =20
>> I would burn a copy of a live CD. Live CDs don't give you all the
>> support you get with a fully installed distro. Ubuntu 10.04 or Knoppix=

>> should tell you what is supported. Today there is very little that doe=
s
>> not work in a 64-bit environment. GB ethernet has been around a long
>>
>>    =20
> Good idea.  I will try both of them to get a feel for the components.
> I am planning to do things slower than I normally do so I don't screw
> up too bad.  This is my first 64 bit so I am anticipating a learning
> curve even though 64 bit has been out for a long time and should be
> very stable.  I want to get off to a good start on the new machine
> because I plan to be friends for a long time.
>
>  =20
Actually, Linux has been 64-bit since 1994 (or 1995) (Digital Alpha).
The issues are mostly applications and drivers. There are a few
applications that are limited to 32-bit, but they should not pose a
problem.
By using a LiveCD you should be able to get a feel for some things that
might be issues, but remember that the Live CDs do lack some components.
The main issues are Graphics, Wireless, and Audio support. My 5 year old
laptop is 64-bit (no virtual support), but my desktop is only 2 years
old (quad core w/virtual support). The important thing is to be able to
preserve your Windows 7 so that you can either dual boot or convert it
to a virtual machine.

The first thing is to use the LiveCD or LiveDVD (Knoppix has a LiveDVD
in addition to CD). If your graphics works at a decent resolution, your
get audio, and you get wired networking from the LiveCD you should be
ok. You should test wireless, but many times that requires a firmware
update not available on the LiveCD.

--=20
Jerry Feldman <gaf-mNDKBlG2WHs at public.gmane.org>
Boston Linux and Unix
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