04-26-2014, 02:45 PM
Just thought I'd post a final (?) update on this thread.
My original question was how to reconcile the installation of Linux with the presence on my laptop's hard drive not only of Windows XP but also of this Dell-specific Media Direct partition.
The discussion has been brilliant, because it has led me to realise that dual-booting isn't the only option. Not only has it been possible to run Live sessions from CD/DVD and from USB stick, but gold_finger's comments and advice about actually installing a Linux OS on to a USB stick have persuaded me to go down that route first.
I plan to put either Lite or LXLE (Lubuntu) on to one 32GB USB stick - to run on my older laptop; and Zorin on to another USB stick to run on my regular laptop.
I'm still hanging on to Zorin because - as Rob (N4RPS) observed - it is possible to install the Broadcom wifi drivers into Zorin and in fact I have done so with the help of the good people on the Zorin OS forum.
I will almost certainly have more questions about the actual process of installing on to a USB stick (discussed above with gold-finger). But it seems to make sense to pursue any further questions about that by starting a separate thread - so that's what I'll do when the time comes.
Meanwhile, huge thanks to those who have been so generous with time and advice in responding on this thread. I think I like this new Linux world!
My original question was how to reconcile the installation of Linux with the presence on my laptop's hard drive not only of Windows XP but also of this Dell-specific Media Direct partition.
The discussion has been brilliant, because it has led me to realise that dual-booting isn't the only option. Not only has it been possible to run Live sessions from CD/DVD and from USB stick, but gold_finger's comments and advice about actually installing a Linux OS on to a USB stick have persuaded me to go down that route first.
I plan to put either Lite or LXLE (Lubuntu) on to one 32GB USB stick - to run on my older laptop; and Zorin on to another USB stick to run on my regular laptop.
I'm still hanging on to Zorin because - as Rob (N4RPS) observed - it is possible to install the Broadcom wifi drivers into Zorin and in fact I have done so with the help of the good people on the Zorin OS forum.
I will almost certainly have more questions about the actual process of installing on to a USB stick (discussed above with gold-finger). But it seems to make sense to pursue any further questions about that by starting a separate thread - so that's what I'll do when the time comes.
Meanwhile, huge thanks to those who have been so generous with time and advice in responding on this thread. I think I like this new Linux world!