I have this copy of Linspire that i want to install from windows xp. however, the installation file is not recognized by the windows os. How can i install linux in the seperate partition?
is there any installer software available to ease up the process?

I am no expert by any means...But I think you might have to wipe your hard drive clean, create two partitions, and then only will you be able to install XP on on partition, and Linspire on the other....BTW, I just installed Ubuntu, and I love it...Ubuntu is very easy to install..similar to XP....If you have an empty partition, you should be able to load Linspire on that partition...Experts, chime in pliz !

I am not so sure about Linspire but I think you can try creating an unformatted partition in windows using Partition Magic. Then you could load the installer and use that partition to install Linspire.

I would recommend using Ubuntu. It is a much better Linux and much more userfriendly (comparable or sometimes even better than Linspire). When you install Ubuntu, The gParted makes things much more easier because you can select partitions easily and change them...

I third Ubuntu. Apart from being a solid distro at present, it's future potential is exciting. If you guys don't know, recently Dell decided to pre-install Ubuntu on their select laptop and desktop models. Also, Cannoncal, which leads Ubuntu development, partnered with IBM to develop Ubuntu for mobile devices. Currently, Ubuntu is the number one distro and has a great community support, both in quantity and quality.

Btw, don't forget to try KDE, when you install Ubuntu or you can install Kubuntu and try GNOME. For those who don't know, KDE and GNOME are two popular desktop environments used in linux. Choice of which is good depends on individuals. So, better try both and settle for one. I prefer KDE( and hence, my OS is Kubuntu).

Good Luck!.

And, one more point, for those who are in Nepal, especially the people who know they are using pirated OSS, why don't you try Ubuntu (or, any other free OSS). It's FREE, OPEN SOURCE, and WORKS FOR MOST PEOPLE. IT ROCKS FOR ME.

Promoting free open source software can be beneficial to Nepal's cause.

thanks for all the suggestions. i partitioned my harddrive and i selected the first boot menu to cdrom. however, the file is not recognised as a setup file so it goes to windows again.
As i mentioned, the Linspire linux is the downloaded version so i guess it is in different format, i even tried decompressing it, but still it's the same thing.
If you guys know, what is the correct format of the linux install files that is recognized by the system? And if there is any easy installer for that?
Thanks again for all the replies.

raazstone I suggest you easy and best way to install linux in ur pc.
First install MS Virtual PC 2007 on ur Xp . (Its free)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx

Then open virtual PC from desktop menu and click next .
1. create Virtual Machine .
2. Choose Other (operating software)
3. Load ur linux

Easy and best.