Installing Linux onto Windows XP computer (step by step)?

Question

Would it be possible to get a Linux operating system and install it onto a PC that use to have Windows XP ( Home Edition).

And if so, would programs such as AutoCAD, Corel and other drawing programs that normally works on Windows, and their files, be compatible with Linux?

Plus, though I did find step by step instructions as to how to install Linux onto a computer that used Windows ME, was also wondering if it would be similar to Windows XP? Or more importantly, if it's possible to buy the OS on disk and just install it that way like what we did with Windows?

Answer 1

just get a live cd and boot up it will walk you right through it

there are lots of videos on youtube for this very thing. now for the programs there could be a lot of trouble trying to use things like autocad on linux and there cad programs are kinda crappy. wine is the way you would run these and its still on its way up anyways give it a look see I think ubuntu will mail you a cd for free evan  

Answer 2

There are several approaches to running Linux on a XP machine.

1. Download and Burn (or buy) an Edition of Linux a LIVE-CD version of linux such as http://www.knoppix.net/ or Ubuntu , this will allow you to run linux directly from the CD without having to install or configure anything. There are many LIVE-CD editions you can choose almost any (like Ubuntu, RedHat, Suse, Knoppix (Debian) , etc)

2. Download a virtual machine software like VirtualBox or VmWare Player and this will allow you to install Linux inside of a running copy of Windows. This is the BEST OPTION, if you want to run both windows and linux simultaneously and the best compatibility choice. Install the virtual machine software and then Install linux with the VM software, now your computer will run  both Windows (Host OS) and Linux (Guest OS) simultaneously with the VM software managing it.

3. After you have used the LIVE-CD from option one and are sure it has what you need , simply choose the option to install it to the hard disk and the CD will install itself onto the hard drive, so you do not need the CD any longer, it will also adjust the boot record so you can choose between windows and linux at bottom.

There are NO CURRENT APPLICATIONS like AutoCad, Corel that run natively for linux, you need to run them through an emulation software like WINE or via a virtual machine as described above (Step 2).

Finally, don't consider Windows ME or anything earlier than Windows 2000 as these systems, are very dated and not likle yto work.