Ubuntu Linux

lee634

I have just downloaded the Ubuntu linux Live CD

It runs perfectly well from the CD, and i am thinking about installing it onto the hdd.

I started the install process but it asks what i want doing with the partition.
I have 2 partitions on the hdd
options

1 automatically delete the partion and install
2. automatically resize the partition and install
3. manualy resize and install

I chose option 2
however just before the program was about to start it mentioned that all data on the hdd would be lost at which time i aboreted

how do you install in to my second partition so that i can dual boot without loosing any data

Many thanks

Tallymanjohn

It's a while since I did it but you have to use the third, manual option & get Ubuntu to install on the second partition - it will create a further partition within that. The more difficult bit I found was getting the loader sorted because Linux uses its own GRUB loader & I had a job to get my head around the way it operates between the 2 systems. I eventually got it sorted with help from the Ubuntu specialists, of which there are many on the Ubuntu forum. http://ubuntuforums.org/index.php

lee634

I will give it a go tonight. Fingers crossed i will still have 1 OS working

BillScarab

I just installed it a week ago and this was the most awkward bit. I had a n empty NFTS partition I wanted to use. I chose the manual configuration option and used that to set up three new partitions, for root (/), swap and home.

The installation installed the GRUB loader without any problem. The only irritating thing was that it set Ubuntu as the default OS so I had to edit the file to set windows as the default as my wife and children just want to be abel to switch the machine on and use windows without messing around with boot menus.

From memory the file to edit is menu.lst in /boot/grub.

It's probably a good idea to back up your system before installing just in case! preferably a disc image to an external device.

lee634

BillScarab wrote:

It's probably a good idea to back up your system before installing just in case! preferably a disc image to an external device.

I think thats the best idea, having used windows all my life, i though i'd take the plunge and try something different,

it's so easy to jump in there without thinking about backing up,
but that will be the next job on the list to do

wolfman

BillScarab wrote:

From memory the file to edit is menu.lst in /boot/grub.

Yeah, open a terminal window. Highlight the below text, press Ctrl+V. Go to the terminal window, press Ctrl+Shift+V. Or if you're not lazy just type the below out and press enter.

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

Scroll down to the bottom of the file. You'll save a block of text referencing Windows, you just need to cut and past it above the Linux references, then save it.


I'd backup your data first. What you really need is a 3rd empty partition. You'll most likely need to make this by resizing one of your existing partitions. And doing so can be risky, hence backup your data.

You can use GParted to do this. There's a guide here:

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/how-do-i-resize-windows-partition-with-open-source-software.html

You should be able to run it via your live cd (it's not on it by default), or you could download the Knoppix live cd and use that.

bat999

Hi

The Partition Manager pragram GParted does come with the LiveCD (but doesn't get installed by default).

Just boot from the LiveCD then System > Administration > Gnome Partition Manager

Do it that way to set up your partitions before you do the install. That worked best for me, anyhow.
:cool:

After that I think choose option 1. Make sure it installs it in the correct partition though!

lee634

I have 2 Patitions on my 50Gb hdd, both 25Gb in size.

I can use partition Magic to create a 3rd partition,

question

so the best idea is create a 3rd partion and install on that
what size should it be ???

wolfman

Ah cheers Bat999. Thought it was on the disc (as it installs from there with Apt), didn't realise it was on the live cd by default (I can't run it , something to do with my widescreen tft).

I'd maybe get a second hard drive if possible. You could pick up a 160gb one for not much more than £35.

If not though, you'll need around a 5gb partition for Ubuntu (my install is around 3.4gb) and another partition of 512mb - 1gb for the swap.

If you got a second drive though, you could store all your files on that. And split the 50gb drive 25gb for Windows, 25gb for Linux.

lee634

sorry what do mean for the swap.

I have a 250Gb external Usb HDD if thats any help??

djchris_2

Just to throw something extra into the mix, consider whether you want Ubuntu 6.06 which is the "Long Term Support" version, i.e. they'll be providing updates and so on for three years, or 6.10 which is the latest but doesn't qualify for such a long support period. I've used both and 6.10 I find slightly more flexible and nicer to look at, but there's not a huge amount in it.

As a side note, the version numbers are actually just "year"."month" of release.

Once you're bedded in with it, start exploring the wealth of free software at your disposal! If you're like me, though, you might have to seek a bit of help to get certain things working (e.g. video codecs). But, hey, it's completely free and that's a good thing!