9 GB is kind of small. I'm no vista expert, it has been done though. I dual booted for a few months with XP. Then I just trashed windows. Good luck and happy computing. Linux rocks. And if you need linux help, try www.ubuntuforums.org They're real friendly and helpful.

Vista will have no say in the boot-up process once Linux is installed, Ubuntu will install something called the Grand Unified Bootloader (GRUB for short) which will provide a boot menu for you and provide Vista as an option.

You made the right choice with Ubuntu, I reckon the latest version is the easiest one to use (and is even easier to set up and use than Windows). Though make a backup of everything thats important first. I have never had any problem with installing Linux ever, but do it just in case.

I agree. I have tried numerous versions of Linux, and Ubuntu is the best, and it keeps getting easier and better with each upgrade. When I first installed Ubuntu a year or so ago, I still had to use XP for my work. Now I can use Ubuntu for a majority of my work, and it is far more stable.

To answer your original question - 9GB is more then enough for Linux. Usually programs are smaller than under Windows, because sharing libraries between them is a regular practice. Vast majority of apps takes less than 100MB (and probably more than 50% takes less than 20MB, or even 10).

Once you use Ubuntu for a bit, you might want to trash Windows. I did it after 1 or 2 months of using Linux - I found out I didn't use MS at all... now, two years later, I feel really uncomfortable when I have to do things the old way :). Then, you can reformat your windows partition and mount it for example as /home (this directory stores personal files and settings of users).

Have fun using Linux - you'll love it more each they, as you learn how powerful and efficient it is :)

Currently, GRUB and vista are not so friendly. GRUB didn't auto detect the vista install as it did with XP. So I had to manually enter the info for Vista into GRUB's menu.lst. Just put...

title Windows Vista
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1

Someplace under... ### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

Message Edited by ant2ne on 07-14-2007 12:53 PM

inspiron_wvhpe: Ubuntu has introduced an easy to use, graphical interface for installing restricted (non-open source) drivers. It's as easy as clicking on System > Administration > Restricted Drivers Manager installing drivers from ATI website has never been a recommended way of doing this stuff.

Message Edited by muszek on 07-13-2007 05:52 PM

You will find this site very helpful. http://ubuntu1501.blogspot.com/ My 1501 is working well.