How to install Linux in your system if you have current Windows XP in your computer?( for dual boot purposes)

Check My computer(right click) Manage--> disk Management to how many partition. If it is one or two u can make shrink the device and make a free space.. and then install the LINUX.

Basm Allah Alrahman Alrahim

1- make a backup for your hard disk [ I suggest you make clone for your disk to another disk ] , save your MBR [master boot record ] using any program to make that [ I suggest for you dd command it is a famous command at Linux and it seems to be100% perfect for clone and backup ]

2- use Ubuntu CD/DVD or usb

3- follow instruction until you reach installation type , select radio box [something else]

4 - make a partition for Ubuntu with ext4 or ext3 and another partition for a swap [the size of this partition may be twice you RAM size ]

5 - install your Ubuntu and after installation if the GRUB2 (boot loader) menu doesn't appear restart your pc and press shift for long time then the menu will appear  you will see Ubuntu and XP [ if something wrong happens just comment under my answer or go to my page and contact me]

Note

- the same thing done for windows7

- to install XP or7 after ubuntu just save your MBR then install windows then restore MBR

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

Download Centos6.5 or7 free, burn in a CD and boot from your system and follow easy steps to create Linux on your hard drive. Upon installation and reboot, you'll see dual boot option.

why bother for dual boot, better boot both OS at once.

Install Virtual Machine (VMWare or Vitrual Box) in your Windows OS and install numbers of different operating systems inside it.

No need of repartition.

Oracle VM VirtualBox & VMware Virtualization for Desktop & Server, Application, Public & Hybrid Clouds