Interested in Installing Ubuntu on Laptop - Help Please

DarkDusk

Hi all,
I have a Dell Inspiron Laptop (3GB Ram, 190GB free HD space, Celeron 900 @ 2.2Ghz, Win 7 64 bit) and I would like to install Ubuntu on it. I don't want to totally have it on Ubuntu but rather have a partition for it where I can switch between the two at startup. I'm new to linux, but I am very good with PC's etc. so how difficult would the procedure be? Is it risky in any way (files in Win 7 etc.) and how much HD space would I have to allow for the partition? Also, would it affect day-to-day running of Windows if I installed it? I'd really appreciate it if you link me with a site that gives tutorials etc. for partitioning, I'd say I'd be OK with the installing because I'm well able to install Win... (or not maybe?!)

Thanks in advance,
James.

P.S. Sorry if this is poorly written, I'm kinda in a rush...;)

ntlbell

Your first step might be to get really familiar with google

dual booting ubuntu and windows 7

Enjoy your adventure.

DarkDusk

ntlbell wrote: »

Your first step might be to get really familiar with google

dual booting ubuntu and windows 7

Enjoy your adventure.

Thanks for the keywords. The problem is I didn't know it was known as "dual booting" and I was getting nowhere with google...

Thanks.

boomslang

This will help you out

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

Stuxnet

n00b proof method

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/windows-installer

Groinshot

Stuxnet wrote: »

n00b proof method

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/windows-installer

Love the first line:
"Click on the big orange button..." They're really going for simple!

stephendevlin

Download the iso
Burn the iso to a disk.... using whatever burner software you have
put the disc in the laptop and turn it off
Turn the laptop on and hit F12 immediatley and select your disc drive to boot from

The disc will do the installation, create the partition and dual boot for you automatically

I did this a month ago for ubuntu 11.10

Runs great. Lots of help online and lightning fast....

EDIT: not risky and doesnt effect your windows installation. Just make sure you give it a decent partition on the disc. If you are fond of downloading then 30gb or so is fine.

DarkDusk

Thanks guys for all the help and info.

I just have one question: After I've done everything, when I turn on my PC will have have to select the OS to run every time or can I have it to automatically run Windows unless I tell it to (count down timer for making a selection maybe?).

Thanks.

stephendevlin

DarkDusk wrote: »

Thanks guys for all the help and info.

I just have one question: After I've done everything, when I turn on my PC will have have to select the OS to run every time or can I have it to automatically run Windows unless I tell it to (count down timer for making a selection maybe?).

Thanks.

MEH dont think so. Its on a countdown anyways if you leave it it it will log you onto the first on your list after about 10 secs (ubuntu on mine)
I have mine configured up that much and boot time is so fast I cant stay away from ubuntu.. Windows 7 even seems to load so much slower.

DarkDusk

DarkDusk wrote: »

Thanks guys for all the help and info.

I just have one question: After I've done everything, when I turn on my PC will have have to select the OS to run every time or can I have it to automatically run Windows unless I tell it to (count down timer for making a selection maybe?).

Thanks.

Easiest way would be;
in Ubuntu, install 'StartUp-Manager' from 'Ubuntu Software Center'.

This guide should help with the configuring.

Stuxnet

DarkDusk wrote: »

I just have one question: After I've done everything, when I turn on my PC will have have to select the OS to run every time or can I have it to automatically run Windows unless I tell it to (count down timer for making a selection maybe?).

Thanks.

yes, quite easily, but it depends on which method you used to install ubuntu,
did you use the windows installer method ? or did you install it from a disc ?

if you used the windows installer you can edit the windows mbr by typing msconfig into the start menu and select and edit the boot tab as you like....

if you installed via a disc/iso you have overwritten the windows mbr with whats called grub, you can edit this with startup-manager as mentioned above, available from the software centre....

pro tip: if you did install grub and you ever want to remove ubuntu, be sure to re-write the windows mbr before you delete ubuntu, or you will not be able boot machine, you can use easybcd for this, lots of posts here about it

good luck

druidhill

I would advise you install it as a guest OS using virtualbox or similar. You can configure it any way you like and not worry about messing around your Windows installation.

I used to dual-boot my laptop but found this solution to be much easier to use, much quicker too.