replacing ubutu with mint

teleaddict

A bit ago I created a duel boot system on my PC. I had partitioned the HDD and then used the ubutu live disk to create a duel boot system.
(I don't think that ubutu installed on the new partition though)

However I now like the look of mint and would like to install this instead of ubutu.

How do I go about replacing ubutu with mint, but also keep my windows xp?

I have a live disk created for mint, but I don't have any disks etc for windows

debitcardmayhem

I would expect that if you have still got dual boot then windows then you should be able to install mint over ubuntu, however to give everyone a clue start a terminal in ubuntu and enter "sudo fdisk -l " without the " marks
then cut and paste the output to here and we will know which partitions you have...

NiftyDigits

Is you PC a brand name PC?

teleaddict

debitcardmayhem, here you go:-
Disk /dev/sda: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xba72ba72

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 63 430030847 215015392+ 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
/dev/sda2 430030848 459740379 14854766 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
/dev/sda3 459741182 488396799 14327809 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 487100416 488396799 648192 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda6 459741184 487100415 13679616 83 Linux

Partition table entries are not in disk order

Disk /dev/sdb: 2000.4 GB, 2000398933504 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 243201 cylinders, total 3907029167 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x908f0ea6

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 2048 3907029163 1953513558 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT

NiftyDigits,
No it is one that was custom made by a local shop some time ago, which was given to me by a friend before they emigrated

NiftyDigits

Does it have a Microsoft COA sticker, corresponding to the edition of XP installed?

teleaddict

no it doesn't

NiftyDigits

Hmmmm...so see how you go with the other options. If you can't solve it, I'll come up with a solution for you.

Cycrow

assuming your dual boot and windows currently work. Then just install mint to the ubuntu partition.

it should recognise it and give you the option to install over the top, if not then you can do it manually. Its just a matter of selecting the proper partition to install to

Mista_C

If you're unsure I'd recommend booting into Windows and wiping the non-Windows partition(s). Then boot from the Mint disc and set up your Linux partitions in the unused space. Mint should recognise Windows during install, offering you the option to add it to your Boot Manager.

Should the Boot Manager need modifying later (i.e. removing old Ubuntu entries) you can do so from within Mint with relative ease.

debitcardmayhem

Mint should ask you choose where you want to place it
sda6 for / (the toot partition) and sda5 for swap. I haven't got my mint usb where I am so I can't check what it offers on install .
Edited:

It's "choose something else" see here http://www.tecmint.com/linux-mint-15-installation-guide/

Mr_Toad

Some good advice so far, however, I would boot from the Mint disk and use the disk utility to identify which partition is which and then install over Ubuntu, or preferably format the Ubuntu partition and do a clean install.

Basically the reverse of what Mista_C has said. Both will work and you should choose which you're most comfortable with, I prefer to do the work in Linux rather than a bit of both.

Let us know how you get on.