I'd like to install a Linux OS that is specifically something other than Ubuntu. I want it to not replace my Windows 7 but rather dual boot with it side-by-side, so I can select which to boot in every time I turn on my PC. I don't want an *.iso disk image file, I want an exe installer similar to Wubi (an Ubuntu installer exe) but to install a non-Ubuntu Linux OS so I can test my "Ubuntu" GMS games and see if they work on non-Ubuntu OS's. YYG said their Ubuntu module (even though it is only targeted to specifically run on and cater to Ubuntu) can also run games on non-Ubuntu Linux OS's and I want to test how well they work and investigate the level of compatibility there is with GMS games on different Linux OS's.
wubi is not dual boot, although it may seem so, it's an exe therefore it installs ubuntu inside windows as another program, this makes ubuntu slower (both oses use ram), more prone to failure and vulnarable to anything that may fuck your windows.
To have a dual boot (like me) you need to:
1.- Defrag your harddrive
2.- Shrink the windows partition from windows itself, always from right to left and never the other way around. once you start the shrinking process there's no turning back, you must wait untill it finishes or risk damaging your windows.
3.- insert a cd/dvd/usb with the distro you want to install
4.- Re-start the pc
5.- Press F12 untill you listen a bip, chirp or some other sound
6.- Choose start from the media where you have the distro
7.- Test if it works ok and then choose install alongside windows
8.- Follow the instructions and answwer the questions the installer presents you.
9.- Once the installation process is done you will be informed that you ca keep trying the OS in live session or reboot
10.- Upon reboot you'll have 10 seconds to choose the OS, the first is the linux in normal mode and the bottom one is your windows.
11 .- Enjoy a trully Operating Operatin System
Other option would be a liveusb with persistence this can be done from windows, just go here:
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/Regarding the possibility of running your ubuntu targeted games on other distros it may be possible as long as those distros are ubuntu based or maybe even in Debian (ubuntu's mom), I don't think it would be possible in RPM based distros as Fedora, Red-Hat or in Arch.
Different installer files and all that, Ubuntu uses .deb so distros that use it may be capable of using your games, but if the distrouses rpm or some other pakage then I don't think it possible (unless you use alien and even then it may not work).
EDIT: I prefer LinuxMint, just upgraded to Qiana (LinuxMint17) is ubuntu based but cinnamon is much better than Gnome, much lighter than KDE and much more stable than mate.