If you want to install Linux on a laptop, you need to consider hard drive space. The installation process is less intuitive than you might think and can be especially challenging if you want to be able to dually run Windows. The following steps are a generalized approach that can be applied to the different variations on the Linux operating system.

Step 1
Prepare for installation. Gather any hardware manuals you have. Gather information about your hardware configuration by running the Microsoft Diagnostics Utility (msd.exe in ms-dos 5.0 or higher).

Step 2
Download the binary Linux files from somewhere like Hungry Penguin. The files will be about 300 to 400 megabytes in size.

Step 3
Put the Binary files onto CD-ROM disks. Use these bootable disks instead of booting Linux from your hard drive. To make the CDs bootable, go into the bio screen of your computer.

Step 4
Change the boot sequence in the bios screen so that your computer will boot from the CD-ROM disks containing your Linux files. Choose "Set to CD-ROM." Save your changes and restart your computer.

Step 5
Start the booting sequence. The first part of the sequence will ask you if you want to install various aspects of the CD-ROM files. Typically, it only requires you to keep pressing the "Enter" button. Taking the default settings is usually the simplest option.

Step 6
Partition your hard drive by making file systems, either on your own or with purchasable software. You will have to make four partitions for Linux.

Step 7
Make a /boot partition. This tells your computer tha