Installing distro over another?

[Axon]

 I have Mint 11 and I was thinking if I can install another Linux distro over Mint 11. Is it possible or do I have to delete my Linux partition first then installing the new Linux from scratch

[Stackprotector]

Always delete shit and reinstall if you are in for some freshness,   you can backup a home folder tough..

[Axon]

Always delete shit and reinstall if you are in for some freshness,   you can backup a home folder tough..

So if I installed let's say Ubuntu on top of Mint, this doesn't guarantee freshness.

[ca0s]

What do you mean with "on top"?
When installing a distro, the installer will likely ask you on which partition shall it install each thing. And it will probably format it. That, if the installer doesn't want to change your partition structure.
They say it is a good practise to have a sepparate /home partition, for easyness at reinstalling time. I have never done it, tho.

[Axon]

What do you mean with "on top"?
When installing a distro, the installer will likely ask you on which partition shall it install each thing. And it will probably format it. That, if the installer doesn't want to change your partition structure.
They say it is a good practise to have a sepparate /home partition, for easyness at reinstalling time. I have never done it, tho.

Overwrite the existing Linux partition with a new and different Linux distro.

[ca0s]

If both distros share the same partition scheme, you can. However, partitions will be probable formatted.
Most install scripts let you choose how partitions are organized, or at least, latest distros I installed (Slackware and Arch) let me do it.

[Axon]

If both distros share the same partition scheme, you can. However, partitions will be probable formatted.
Most install scripts let you choose how partitions are organized, or at least, latest distros I installed (Slackware and Arch) let me do it.

I think the installer will format the partition automatically. Not sure if this might cause some troubles. will this process install the grub automatically ? have you tried installing a new distro over an old one.

[ca0s]

have you tried installing a new distro over an old one.

Sure. I never had a problem. Burn it, load it, install it as if you were installing over windows or any other system. Installer should fix GRUB/LILO/whateverbootloaderyoulike automatically.
Note that, however, bootloader installation might fail detecting your SO partition's name. It has happened to me (and I think we have already discussed it here at EZ). If after installing, you reboot and it says something like "no bootable medium found" just boot from any live-cd and edit bootloader's configuration file (/boot/grub/menu.lst | /etc/lilo.conf) and change that line. If you are intuitive you will see what is wrong (ls /dev and see your hd's name).

[Axon]

Sure. I never had a problem. Burn it, load it, install it as if you were installing over windows or any other system. Installer should fix GRUB/LILO/whateverbootloaderyoulike automatically.
Note that, however, bootloader installation might fail detecting your SO partition's name. It has happened to me (and I think we have already discussed it here at EZ). If after installing, you reboot and it says something like "no bootable medium found" just boot from any live-cd and edit bootloader's configuration file (/boot/grub/menu.lst | /etc/lilo.conf) and change that line. If you are intuitive you will see what is wrong (ls /dev and see your hd's name).

Thank you, +1 for your kind help

[ca0s]

You're welcome, and good luck.