How can I boot multiple operating systems?

Assuming that you already have installed Windows 7 RTM on your system, you can download the latest version of Ubuntu or the previous version Ubuntu 9.04 (remember to choose the right version, 32-bit or 64-bit), and burn it on a CD or save it on a USB. Then you can proceed with installing the Ubuntu by inserting the CD or USB drive, then reboot and follow the onscreen instructions.

Yes, you wil be able to do the partition of your 500GB hard disk drive, but you must know that Ubuntu automatically resizes the partition for you, so you can have dual-booting. If you already have partitioned, or you need to choose a file system, then choose ext3 during the Ubuntu installation, which we use to manage the boot menu.

By default, Ubuntu will be your default option while booting your system, as Ubuntu installs the GRUB bootloader. As you plan to run Windows 7 alongside the Ubuntu, i would suggest you to let the Windows handle the boot management, so, get EasyBCD to change the bootloader to Windows, with Ubuntu as an additional option to boot. You can download EasyBCD. You need to sign up on their site in order to download the file. Please note that Windows 7 only works with EasyBCD V2.0 and above.

Once you download it, launch it and follow the instructions:

1. In the default view, Windows 7 will be listed.

2. Select Add New Entry, then choose the Linux tab, change the type to GRUB 2, then enter any name that you want to be displayed on the boot menu, then click Add Entry.

3. Then, click on Edit Boot Menu, check if the default OS selected is the OS that you want it to be, you can also change the default delay if you want, and then click on Save Settings.

4. Click on Bootloader Setup, and then click on Write MBR.

5. Finally, If you click on View Settings, you should be able to see both Operating Systems listed. And you are done!