Good morning.
I would like to put a linux dual boot on my main computer, a Toshiba Equium 2gb of ram dual core 32bit.
I am currently using Ububtu 10 on my net book and is seems ok. Sometimes hangs though.
Any suggestions?
I would prefer to install via Windoze.
Many thanks
Personally I’d go for Ubuntu 10.10 on your Equium, and Ubuntu UNE (Universal Netbook Edition) or PeppermintOS on your netbook… UNE has a nice interface, and help wiill be easier to find… PeppermintOS is probably quicker/smaller/lighter as it uses the LXDE desktop, and is more cloud based (ie. web based apps by default), but it IS Ubuntu based and uses the Ubuntu repositories, so you’ll still have access to tons of additional software which can be installed locally if you want.
I would also create a LiveUSB (with persistence) of Ubuntu 10.10, and test it with all the drivers loaded before committing to a hard drive installation. (not so important if you are going to install with WUBI)
(you will need a 2gb or larger USB stick)
For instructions on creating a LiveUSB of Ubuntu (on a Windows PC), see here:
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/put-ubuntu-10-04-on-flash-drive-using-windows/
(at step 1… if you don’t want to use torrents, you could get the ISO image directly from the Ubuntu download page)
Pretty much the same instructions for creating one in Ubuntu…
Install the USB Startup disk creator:
sudo apt-get install usb-creator-gtk
it should then be in the menu’s at System>Administration>Startup Disk Creator
either way, don’t forget to make the LiveUSB stick persistent, so it can save your settings and drivers etc.
One last thing… don’t expect it to run as quickly from a USB stick as it will from a hard drive installation, but at least you’ll get to test how well it works with your hardware before making any changes to your hard drive.
If you want to try any other Linux distros as a LiveUSB… search for instructions for them on PendriveLinux.com
Just as a matter of interest, what makes you think the Equium’s dual core CPU is 32bit ?
to install via Windows, either -
a) burn the Ubuntu ISO image to a CDROM… boot to Windows, and insert the Ubuntu CDROM… the WUBI installer should autostart.
or
b) download the WUBI installer (in Windows) and run it… it will download the Ubuntu 10.10 ISO and install it for you.
WUBI homepage:
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/windows-installer
WUBI Guide:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WubiGuide
If you are going to install via Windows, AFAIK your ONLY options are Ubuntu or Linux Mint, as these are the only distros that include a Windows installer.
WUBI for Ubuntu
and
Mint4Win for Linux Mint
In both cases the Windows installer is included on the LiveCD, and should autostart when the CDROM is inserted in a system running Windows.
Thanks for the advice Mark
I tried to put Mint on my USB using Pendrive but there wasn’t a persistance option. Also when installing it on the netbook hard drive I wanted to ‘go over’ the Ubuntu installation but it kept asking me for ‘root’ drive to install it in and what size I wanted…Gulp!
What was the capacity of the USB memory stick you used? … The persistence option only becomes available if the USB Memory stick has the capacity for it.
Universal USB Creator running in WINE, before someone asks 
(I don’t know if it will actually create a LiveUSB running in WINE)
[smg id=952 type=preview]
Easiest way to explain how to install Mint over the top of Ubuntu… Boot from your Mint LiveCD/USB, when you get to the desktop, load Gparted (System>Administration>Gparted Partition Editor), right click on your Linux partition(s) and select Delete, click the green Apply tick… close Gparted.
Back at the desktop, select the “Install Mint” icon… when the installer gets to the partition part, tell it to use the “Free Space” 
BTW, you are talking about Linux Mint and not PeppermintOS aren’t you ?
BTW, you are talking about Linux Mint and not PeppermintOS aren't you ?
Hmmmm? I’ll have to check. On the screen shot you have posted I do not have the box option ‘Persistance’ just …nothing!
I will post again by Saturday with more info to see if you can help.
Many Thanks
Adam
Use a higher capacity USB stick … 4GB will do nicely and allow a 2GB (maybe even 3GB) persistence partition.
That box only appears if there is enough room for a persistence partition… ie. at least 1GB free after Linux is installed to the USB stick.
Working now. I prefer Peppermint to Ubuntu. Many thanks