My question is pretty much in the title.

I am planning on buying a new computer (desktop) this summer, and would like to make the move to Linux (probably Ubuntu or Mint) right from the beginning. As I am planning on going for building it myself/having someone build it for me, I wouldn't like to buy Windows with it. Quite needless to say, I have access to other computers to do things like burn CDs and the likes.

Is it possible to install Linux straight to an "empty" computer, and if it is, how?

I am very much a Linux newbie, only used it occasionally at school. I am not, however, afraid of technology or computing.

Thanks.

Oh this is the simplest option, if you use a 'buntu based distro (Ubuntu - most bling, Xubuntu more balanced bling performance, Lubuntu zero bling flying machine) then the install process is painless and will deal with a completely empty hard drive no problem.

If in doubt practice using Virtual Box can break anything in there :-)

MarkyD

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that's by far the easiest way to install it. Not sure what would be seen to be difficult about having a blank canvas to start from, just let the installer do its thing.

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Easy! All you need is your hardware set up and ready to go with the machine's BIOS set to boot from CD/DVD/USB before HDD. Boot up with your chosen install media in the optical drive/usb slot and go through the normal installation process for your chosen distro.

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You can do that in Linux too, copy CD, DVDs, sync MP3 player. There is not limits

To install Ubuntu or Linux Mint you just need to boot your new computer from the liveCD or USB. Do a test before you install it by starting a live session. This is to make sure all your computer parts are seeing by the OS and they do all work. Test for sound, test for video playback. Ubuntu has a folder with small files testing the system. Linux Mint comes with all the Codec you need for MP3s and such.

Good luck to you.

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I think the OP means he can burn the linux cd on another computer.

Kind regards

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Hah, nice, didn't really believe it would be that easy...

Thanks for the answers! Looking forward to be using Linux in a few months.

If you wish to install Ubuntu you can check any of these links which can be helpful for you in installing Ubuntu step-by-step:
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing
http://screamable.com/how-to-install...tep-guide.html

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That isn't a big waste of time, but I think it is a waste of time.

We are talking about a blank system, so a bad install does no harm.

Ubuntu is fast and easy to install and probably will work right immediately.
LiveCD is slow. Slow can mean confusing for a beginner, because sometimes you try something and nothing happens: Did you do the wrong thing? Or is this one of those random 30 second pauses of liveCD mode and you just need to wait?

Before overwriting a working OS with some Linux distribution I haven't tested yet, I might bring it up in liveCD mode to make sure basics like the display driver and network driver default to usable modes.
But that is only worthwhile when a bad install would cost more than the minimal time it takes to try. Otherwise, just jump into the install. If anything goes badly wrong use another system to ask questions about it here at LQ.

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