Hello,

Is there a way to run linux from a CD without installing it on my
computer (and hence can avoid repartition the computer)? If so, which
linux vendor should I try? I'm fairly new to linux, so I guess debian
may be too much for me (since it requires lots of manual configuration
of the systems).

In addition, my laptop is windows, I'm not sure whether it'll work with
linux since some hardwares (such as winmodems) are only designed for
windows. How could I find out whether I can run linux properly?

Thanks,
xian

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:33:30 -0700, xian_hong2046 wrote:

> Is there a way to run linux from a CD without installing it on my
> computer (and hence can avoid repartition the computer)? If so, which
> linux vendor should I try? I'm fairly new to linux, so I guess debian
> may be too much for me (since it requires lots of manual configuration
> of the systems).

I'd recommend you try the "live-cd" called Knoppix. It will run
completely from the CD, and not do anything to your hard drive. Download
it at: http://www.knoppix.org

> In addition, my laptop is windows, I'm not sure whether it'll work with
> linux since some hardwares (such as winmodems) are only designed for
> windows. How could I find out whether I can run linux properly?

See above.

--
If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
Linux Registered User #327951

Thanks! If I boot from Knoppix, is there a way that I can install
additional software, which is not included in the bundle? Since
Knoppix doesn't touch the harddisk, I guess one can't install extra
software. Is there to get around?

Thanks,
xian

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:59:06 -0700, xian_hong2046@hotmail.com wrote:

> Thanks! If I boot from Knoppix, is there a way that I can install
> additional software, which is not included in the bundle? Since
> Knoppix doesn't touch the harddisk, I guess one can't install extra
> software. Is there to get around?

I don't think so, unless you install it to the hard disk. What makes you
think the included software isn't going to be enough?

--
If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
Linux Registered User #327951

Knopix, Mandrake-One, ....
Yes there are lots of single CD Linux version which work from the CD.
Debian does not have a single CD version AFAIK.

xian_hong2046@hotmail.com writes:

>Hello,

>Is there a way to run linux from a CD without installing it on my
>computer (and hence can avoid repartition the computer)? If so, which
>linux vendor should I try? I'm fairly new to linux, so I guess debian
>may be too much for me (since it requires lots of manual configuration
>of the systems).

>In addition, my laptop is windows, I'm not sure whether it'll work with
>linux since some hardwares (such as winmodems) are only designed for
>windows. How could I find out whether I can run linux properly?

Your winmodem may or may not work.
Put in a single CD version and try it!



>Thanks,
>xian

"xian_hong2046@hotmail.com" <xian_hong2046@hotmail.com> writes:

>Thanks! If I boot from Knoppix, is there a way that I can install
>additional software, which is not included in the bundle? Since
>Knoppix doesn't touch the harddisk, I guess one can't install extra
>software. Is there to get around?

You would have to install it onto the disk. You could mount the windows
partition and install the stuff on there.
You obvioulsy cannot install them onto the CD.


>Thanks,
>xian

Thanks to both of you for your replies! I use linux for some
scientific computation, and it's very probable that the additional
softwares that I need will not be part of the standard bundle.

I originally consider installing linux like fedora core, but this
requires repartitioning my computer, and yet, I don't know whether it
can work with any OS other than windows.

I think I should boot from Knoppix and will try to mount the windows
partition and install additional software there. Is there any risk in
doing this, since it touches windows? Any tips are highly welcome!

If I find out my computer works with Linux, then I probably will try to
install linux on my harddisk. Is there any good and free partition
tool available? If I install linux, shall I install Knoppix or fedora
core? I only had experience in installing and using fedora.

Thanks!
xian

<xian_hong2046@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1145671146.758871.205320@i39g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Thanks! If I boot from Knoppix, is there a way that I can install
> additional software, which is not included in the bundle? Since
> Knoppix doesn't touch the harddisk, I guess one can't install extra
> software. Is there to get around?

Not trivially: it's playing fascinating games to store the actively edited
files in RAM and swap, if available. You can add packages to the CD image
with lots of published tools.

But if you're going that far, why not get an external USB drive and use that
to put your Linux software and working directories on, and boot from Knoppix
as needed?

<xian_hong2046@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1145683721.361239.189410@v46g2000cwv.googlegr oups.com...
> Thanks to both of you for your replies! I use linux for some
> scientific computation, and it's very probable that the additional
> softwares that I need will not be part of the standard bundle.
>
> I originally consider installing linux like fedora core, but this
> requires repartitioning my computer, and yet, I don't know whether it
> can work with any OS other than windows.
>
> I think I should boot from Knoppix and will try to mount the windows
> partition and install additional software there. Is there any risk in
> doing this, since it touches windows? Any tips are highly welcome!
>
> If I find out my computer works with Linux, then I probably will try to
> install linux on my harddisk. Is there any good and free partition
> tool available? If I install linux, shall I install Knoppix or fedora
> core? I only had experience in installing and using fedora.

I strongly recommend adding another hard disk, rather than repartitioning.
And the partitioning tools are built into many modern Linux installers, such
as SuSE and Knoppix. I don't think Fedora Core has a good one automatically
in the installer, but I haven't tried that in a few years.

<xian_hong2046@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1145666010.423767.275360@t31g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Hello,
>
> Is there a way to run linux from a CD without installing it on my
> computer (and hence can avoid repartition the computer)? If so, which
> linux vendor should I try? I'm fairly new to linux, so I guess debian
> may be too much for me (since it requires lots of manual configuration
> of the systems).
>
> In addition, my laptop is windows, I'm not sure whether it'll work with
> linux since some hardwares (such as winmodems) are only designed for
> windows. How could I find out whether I can run linux properly?
>
> Thanks,
> xian


Live bootable CD's: Knoppix, Ubuntu, just put "live bootable linux"
in google and have fun.

The advantage of live cd's is that you can use them to pre-determine if your
hardware will work with it. They are not designed for long-term use. If
you want to use linux on a longer term basis you need to install it on some
form of relatively permenent media: hd, usb/fw drive in multi boot mode
if you still need Windows too. Linux can work with FAT32 partitions just
fine but it is still IF'Y with NTFS writes.

You can also use live linux to solve a lot of Windows problems.

later.....