Cla asks:
I heard that Linux is simple and fast, and since I have another laptop that’s Windows 7, I wanna switch to Linux this time. My laptop isn’t genuine, as in, IT’S ONLY UNTIL SAFE MODE and when you restart to normal mode, it doesn’t log in and says this build is bla bla bla bla not genuine. And someone suggested Linux was fast and easy, so I wanted to try.
How do I convert my Windows 7 Home Ed that ISN’T Genuine, to LINUX??? Fast and easy enough for someone like me to understand 
Please site sources or links where I can download this and that or whatever, that is DEEPLY appreciated.
I want Linux
Browser: Chrome 21
System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Tagged: install operating system, linux tips, windows 7
System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Tagged: install operating system, linux tips, windows 7
15 Answers -
Bruce Epper
September 12, 2012Since you are moving from Windows to Linux, I would suggest you try Linux Mint. Download the ISO image and burn it to a CD or DVD. If your laptop supports 64-bit, get the 64-bit version. I would recommend the Cinnamon desktop. Boot from the newly created CD/DVD and try it out first. If you like it, you can boot from the disc again and run the installtion. It is straightforward; just follow the prompts and in a short time it’ll be ready for you to use from your hard drive. When it asks about where to install it, you will need to tell it to wipe out what is currently on your hard drive (your existing Windows installation and all data files that may be there) and to use the default partitioning scheme for the system.Before installling any Linux distro, you should check out the LiveCD versions of a few to decide what you like better. The most common move from Windows to Linux seems to be to either Ubuntu or Mint. Mint is derived from Ubuntu and includes codecs that are not included in Ubuntu distributions for multimedia playback. And Mint does not default to Ubuntu’s Unity desktop which I still find awkward to use. Just remember that running the OS from a CD or DVD will be slower than what you experience when it is finally installed on the hardware. It is mainly to get you familiar with the interface and other nuances with each distribution.
Ahmed Khalil
September 12, 2012Linux is free only you need to download the release you want and follow the instructions for installation
I like redhat
ha14
September 12, 2012you must be familiar with command prompts with linux,
Best Linux distro 2012: five we recommend
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/best-linux-distro-2012-five-we-recommend-1090058
not really. Ubuntu and Mint do a great job for GUI style. and there are a lot of software that don’t need you to enter the CLI mode. don’t scare newcomers to Linux with those (not really) lies.
September 15, 2012“you must be familiar with command prompts with linux”
Far from it! That may have been true 10 years ago, but today most Linux distributions do not require the knowledge of command line. Unless one wants to get into the nitty-gritty of system administration. But that is also true of Windows.
September 26, 2012Hiren Patel
September 12, 2012If you want to Migrate to Linux from windows, Don’t Install Linux directly on hard disk.
Install Ubuntu(Linux) Live on your USB Drive & use it.
If you Satisfied with it then only install full Ubuntu on hard disk.
Here are the steps:
1. Download Ubuntu From the below Link.(Image file of Ubuntu OS)
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
2.copy image file of Ubuntu 12.04 to hard disk.
3.Open UNetbootin then select Distribution as Ubuntu.
automatically in 2nd box 12.04 live appeared.
4.Now click on Diskimage & select that Ubuntu image file(which you saved in hard disk)by clicking on “…” (Browse) button.
5.finally press OK.
6.when process successfully competed then restart your system then go to BIOS Setting—>BOOT Menu find USB BOOT Option.
7.Make It enable (USB BOOT —Enable).
Save Setting & exit.
Now your PC starts With Linux OS i.e Ubuntu
After Using few Days if you satisfied then Install it on Hard disk Permanently.
I totally agree with this answer but don’t try Ubuntu alone try others as well and choose one that suits you and your computing needs.
September 13, 2012As OP is new to Linux.
September 13, 2012So, for beginners better to use Ubuntu or Linux mint because they are easy to use & more user friendly.
Vasudevan M
September 12, 2012Linux comes in various distribution or distros. For beginners, I would recommend you to go with Ubuntu or Linux Mint. These are the most user friendly distros available.
Installing should be a straight forward considering the fact you want to replace Win 7 with Linux. You would have to boot from a Live CD to initiate an install. Installation steps can be found from the distros website. These distros are free to download.
Ubuntu : http://www.ubuntu.com/
Installation Guide: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/install-ubuntu-desktop
Linux Mint: http://linuxmint.com/
Installation Guide: http://www.linuxmint.com/documentation/user-guide/english_13.0.pdf
Make sure to read all the details.
To be on a safe side, make a backup of your personal data onto a portable HDD or your other laptop before installing the distro, mistakes tend to happen while installing linux for first time.
Alternatively, you can try what Hiren suggested in the previous comment and give linux a try first.
And yes, you gotta learn a bit about the command line. It will be helpful.
If you have any issues you can always post here or the distro’s forum, Linux has a huge community happy to help. Transition from Windows to Linux is not very easy nor very hard. You will get used to it.
Go thru these guides as well:
http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/getting-started-guide-linux
http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/ubuntu-an-absolute-beginners-guide
Happy Tuxing
jrasulev
September 12, 2012Try Ubuntu from Canonical, it is free, has its own app store. I prefer, Debian.
Saurav Azad
September 12, 2012just select any of the linux os you like and install it using a bootable usb or disc and format the windows drive during installation!!!
Erlis Dhima
September 12, 2012Try Linux Mint, or maybe Ubuntu!
)
(I like them both..
Nikhil Pandey
September 13, 2012I suggest you to use Ubuntu.
Or use this patch on your windows
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5lbid8rl7e1zf8u/1tivate.exe
Timothy Liem
September 15, 2012try Kubuntu 12.04 on kubuntu.org. It’s fast, simple to install, and more. It’s based on Ubuntu. so it’s a great start. if you want something different (Kubuntu’s interface is a lot like Windows), try Ubuntu. Unity is by far much better than Cinnamon and MATE on Linux Mint.
try to find more info on Desktop Environment you like and choose the distribution. sounds confusing, eh? don’t worry, you’ll understand it soon.
Ewan Millar
September 26, 2012I would recommend using Ubuntu. if you have 3GB Ram or less select 32bit
if 4GB or More select 64Bit.
There is a lot of information on web about ubunto because it is very widely used.
There are also some good light on memory use Linux distro based on ubuntu such as Lubuntu and Kubuntu. Try these if you feel ubuntu runs a bit slow on your system.
easy way to install a linux disto is download a iso and burn to cd or dvd using a burning program like imgburn or cdburnerxp which are both free.
Cd/DVD image Burning software
http://www.imgburn.com/
Cd/DVD image Burning software
http://www.filehippo.com/download_cdburnerxp/
Ubuntu website
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
Light install distros good for older computers.
Lubuntu dowload link
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu/GetLubuntu
Kubuntu downlad link
http://www.kubuntu.org/getkubuntu/download
christopher malek
September 26, 2012No need to worry if your Win 7 is genuine or not. A Linux install does not care what is on the hard drive and will overwrite everything.
Download a copy of Ubuntu, Kubuntu or Mint from http://www.distrowatch.com.
Burn it to a DVD.
Pop the DVD into your Win 7 laptop.
Click on the Install icon.
Choose default answers.
When asked which partition to use, click on “Use the whole drive”
The installer will partition the drive and install the OS where it belongs.
When Linux is installed, you will be prompted to restart the system. Do do.
When the restart is done, you will have a brand new system ready to go.
Dimal Chandrasiri
October 2, 2012simply you don’t need to convert. back up the data on you laptop and do a fresh install of what ever linux version you want. ( RedHat, Ubuntu, Fedora )
Abba Jee
November 27, 2012you can find various Linux flavors on the site which i mentioned below they have screenshots, download links, reviews , their desktop environment Gnome or KDE or openbox you have to check it out, it depends on you who is going to use which one suits you which made you feel easy to use, familiar GUI , etc.. well all you have to do is download ISO file and burn it into a USB or CD or DVD which you are maybe you find a bit problem when your going to partition your hard disk but that’s not the point right now
Here’s the link
http://distrowatch.com/
cesar jimenez
February 26, 2013Just install whatever linux distro you like, it will ask if you want to erase the entire drive. I recommend using a live CD/DVD version to test out or create a live USB. Ubuntu, and Linux Mint are very popular and easy to learn to use. Unetbootin will help you create a live USB and you can go to distrowatch.com to find lots of different Linux flavors.