Ubuntu

Larry_o_C

Hey just trying out Linux for the first time but... well I'm following the advice here and everything is grand til I get to the disk partioner. It says "Ubuntu will then load the disk partitioner to determine where it's going to be installed. Choose "Manual - use the largest continuous free space". This will automatically select the unpartitioned space we created earlier using the Shrink tool. Click Forward." it doesn't give me that option, just lists out each of my 160GB drives and says which one to partition. I don't know where I'm going wrong.

Any ideas?

ciotog

Are you selecting 'Manual' or 'Guided - use the largest continuous free space' (the article you're following has a typo compared to what's in the screenshot. How are your 160GB disks used at the moment?

Larry_o_C

I have Vista installed. I made a 12gig partition like it describes but when it comes to selecting guided or manual, there is no "'Guided - use the largest continuous free space'" option.

ciotog

You'll have to setup partitions around the existing Vista partition yourself. Basically this means you need to note what partition Vista is on (should be type Windows NTFS) and then setup the Ubuntu partitions on the unused disk space.

Larry_o_C

Cool, how do I do that? I'm scared I'll bollocks up the PC!

ciotog

Do you have a backup of everything important to you in the Vista installation? If not, then I'd say do that straight away. With Ubuntu it's difficult to really mess things up - it will ask you to confirm anything you do on the partitioning screen. When you go into guided partitioning, make a note of the details for the Windows NTFS partition. I haven't setup a dual-boot Linux for ages so I can't remember exactly what details you see - but you should see the Windows partition identified and can verify that the size is the same as the one you setup when doing the shrinking earlier on. Setup the Linux partitions making sure you don't touch the Windows one i.e. you should still see it listed while you add those for Linux. Ubuntu will confirm your selections when you choose to apply them and if you're really not sure you can back out safely.

It would also be helpful if you could say which version of Ubuntu you are installing and whether or not you're using a LiveCD. You might find http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/2622/how-to_dual-boot_ubuntu useful as it has lots of screen shots. Take note of how the partitions are identified as /dev/hda1 and /dev/hdb1 in those screen shots .. that's the kind of information you need to take note of.

corkie

If you need some helpful information on Linux. Especially on partitioning and getting a dual booting system going. There is a very good and informative pod cast available at linuxreality.com episode 15 partitioning and boot loaders

As mentioned earlier make sure to backup your current system or create a recovery DVD for your current OS, that it is if you haven't made one already.

Regards,
John.

Mac daddy

be very carefull when installing ubuntu on a hdd where vista is installed.
I had a serious nasty problem last week when i installed on it basicly killed the windows boot loader unable to boot vista or ubuntu...
I have a app running on my vista box that allows grub to run in the same space will have a look for the app now.

Edit** found it ***
http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1
You install this on your vista box and add entry for linux into it.
When you boot up it loads your vista bootmanager select vista to boot vista or linux to boot linux simple.