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-   -   OEM Windows, new Mobo, ans Linux (

fire2icewitch 01-20-2013 06:56 AM

OEM Windows, new Mobo, ans Linux
Ok this is what's going on. I have two computers, one with a dead mobo, and another that's ancient. I want to update the mobo and the cpu on both but the the problem is windows is OEM and I can't run it after I install a new mobo. I refuse to re-buy windows. I know how to build computers, what I lack is software knowledge. I want to update these computers for my teen girls. They both know the Linux system thanks to their computer class at school (yes, the teacher teaches all three OS), and I will be installing WINE with Linux as well so they can game a bit. What I want to do is keep the personal items on the hard drives, so reformatting is not an option at least until I can receive what I want first.

My question is how do I uninstall windows after installing linux without loosing my personal items? I'm buying a Linux Mint 14 boot disk from Amazon for eleven dollars from LinuxFreak. Thanks a bunch, Julia

TobiSGD 01-20-2013 07:01 AM

You should make a backup in any case, there can always go something wrong, destroying the data. Not having a backup is not the way to go.
Once you have made the backups you don't need to keep the Windows installation, just install Linux to the whole disk.

TroN-0074 01-20-2013 08:41 AM

You could also use a partition tool like Gparted (already included in the Ubuntu iso image). Boot the computer from the cd tray with the Ubuntu CD and reduce the windows partition using Gparted. Once you have the windows partition resized install whichever distro you like. in the newly created hard drive space LinuxtMimt is a popular distro

And hey! Kudos for that teacher at your kids school
