Hi there, I have a computer with Windows Vista preinstalled. I would like to purchase a second hard drive and install Linux (probably Ubuntu) on it. I had Ubuntu installed on my old computer - but it was with XP, not Vista ... and it was just a partition on the same drive as my XP. From what I've read, it seem to be a bit harder to dual boot with Vista. ... Would someone please try and give me the step-by-step process on how to install Linux on a second hard drive with Vista preinstalled on the first hard drive. I would appreciate this immensely! Thanks!

The definitive dual-booting guide: Linux, Vista and XP step-by-step

Since you ask, I'd suggest you try linux,qnx,solaris, beos and others with a Virtual machine. The extra hard drive can be used to store images of systems. A virtual machine runs within Vista and is a much safer way to test out stuff. Virtual PC is free and a few others are very good to use. Near native speed too. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

Hey guys, I appreciate your responses! Sabertooth, thanks for that link. But the 'How to dual-boot Vista and Linux (with Vista installed first)' choice, has it being installed on the same drive. How different would the process be installing it on a different drive? Would I just select the new drive to install linux on -- instead of the partion created in the tutorial? And then what? I imagine linux would boot first rather than Vista, no? Should I not install GRUB -- so that Vista boots ... and then use something like EasyBCD to add it to the boot menu? Excuse me if I sound confused, This issue is pretty new to me. jefro, I've never tried a virtual machine before. But the way you explained it sounds very interesting. I would certainly try it out. I would still like to find out how to install it too though. I thank you for the suggestion!

If you were to install Vista & Linux on the same physical disk .... they would have to be setup on two radically different partitions anyway, so using two separate disks isn't that much different or labor intensive insofar as you configure the disks appropriately. On this machine I have Linux, Vista & XP Pro running in multiboot setup.

A virtual machine is a windows application that is a software personal computer. The software makes the OS think it is a real computer. It looks like any other windows application. You can run almost any number of OS's at the same time. This is not like solaris's containers or zones, and not like some linux virtualiztions. Here is the issue. If you don't mind having to rebuild your system then you can play with installs. You'd be surprised how many installs I have borked over the years playing with alt installs. If you want to learn then I say go for it. Plenty of very detailed how-to's for each distro and version of each distro out there. If you just want to try linux you should consider a virtual machine such as Virtual PC, VMplayer, Qemu, Virtualbox or Bochs. There are also commercial products from VMware and others. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.