Is it possible to run LINUX and XP on the same comp?

[Crusha19]

I was just wondering because I would like to try running linux, but my comp that has internet already has XP. I have one in my room with 98SE, but it does not have internet right now. I dont want to totally get rid of XP for two reasons: first I like playing games and fear that some will be incompatible with linux and second my dad would shoot me if i screwed up "his" computer. Also if it is possible to run both is there any chance that it will screw me up and i will have to reformat?

 

[Big B]

Yes, it's completely possible. You do need to resize the hard drive partition (say 5GB would be plenty to play around with) to accomodate for Linux. Most distributions have a pretty friendly partitioning and formatting tool to do this with, so you don't need something like Partition Magic to do the dirty work. A boot loader will be installed, so you can boot between Windows and Linux. You can even specify what the default OS is (I assume Windows).

Of course, if the system isn't specifically for you, you might want to avoid using that system.

 

[Crusha19]

i am going to try to get my parents to let me have internet in my room so i can ttry linux. It seems realy interesting.