I have Linux Mint already installed on my laptop, and am trying to setup Xubuntu as dual boot. No matter how I setup the partitioner, Xubuntu always installs itself in a very tight spot. There is 18GB of free space and it installs itself with only 2.5GB of space left. What could I be doing wrong?

If you have Mint, why do you want Xubuntu? What do you expect to gain? Both are based on Ubuntu.

I finally got the install right, but I was very unsatisfied and deleted the partition, only to cause Mint not to boot. I started over with fresh install and intend to keep it that way. Thank you for your reply, though. Sometimes, I just like to play around too much for my own good.

Migtht install Virtualbox and try out new distro's in VM's instead. Playing to the angels Les Paul (1915-2009)

I installed Xubuntu with Linux Mint and was very unsatisfied. In Xubuntu, the bookmarks from Mint showed in Firefox, even though I didn't select to import any docs from Mint. Also, the screen and layout was just too unappealing compared to Mint. You probably have already guessed it, I stuck the Mint CD in and started over using the full disc. Out of all the Linux distros that I've tried, Mint is by far the best. And with only a 40GB drive and more importantly, 512MB RAM, one distro is enough on this secondary laptop. I bought it to learn (and eventually migrate to) Linux. Until I get a lot of things down pat, I'm not going to tinker with my main system, which contains XP Pro SP3. Thanks for your advice,though. I will later on consider this VM Ware thing, after enough positive feedback generates.

"and more importantly, 512MB RAM, one distro is enough on this secondary laptop" It's not like both distros are using the ram at the same time, only 1 is using the ram at any given time, the 1 that is running. If you want to dual boot both, 1st partition should be linux swap, 1GB. Then 2 equal partitions with the space that is left. http://distrowatch.com/index.php?di... larry

Thank you all for your suggestions and words of wisdom. I've decided on Linux Mint as the distro of my choice. No more dual booting or any of that. I'm catching onto this distro fast (even installed a couple of programs on the command line). I love it! I know that it is based upon Ubuntu, but I tried that one also, and it's just not quite "out of the box" ready for me. Mint took it and built it into a fabulous distro. Everything works so far. In a few weeks, I plan to install it on my main laptop. It has 2GB RAM, so it will run about three times faster. RAM makes a difference, because by the time I even get to the sign on screen on this one, the other is checking email!