Re: Downloading Debian CDs or DVD(s)?

"(PeteCresswell)" <x@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Per David L. Johnson:
>>Only one iso file
>>to download, then it installs what you ask for over the net.
>
> Any idea whether it will preserve my existing partitions?
>
> I read a couple of accounts of people trying to create a multi-boot
> box and losing their Windows system altogether.

Pete --

Although mishaps obviously can occur, and although a prudent person
would have good, tested backups before mucking with partitions at all,
one eventually comes to regard "Linux ate my Windows system" anecdotes,
generally, as convenient cover for having been extremely inept.

That is, although most Linux software leans more towards the "You asked
for it, you got it" side than naive users expect, still you have to go
out of your way to destroy other-OS filesystems. The point is that
an admin who _did_ go out of his/her way will seldom 'fess up.

Linux distro installers _do_ give you the option to delete existing
filesystems. If you exercise that option, usually they do only minimal
amounts of "Are you sure? Be careful; you're running with scissors."
prompting, before giving you what you said you want, good and hard. ;->

--
Cheers,
Rick Moen "Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor."
rick@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx -- Elizabeth Tudor
.

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