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Dual boot Windows/Linux questions

C

CpuMan

Gawd
Joined
May 6, 2005
Messages
608
I have been a Microsoft guy since day 1. But I am considering turning my system into a dual-boot winxp-pro/Linux system and I have a few questions.

After reading around about different distros. I am now downloading a Ubuntu iso. Is this a good choice?

In order to make my system duel-boot will I have to reinstall xp or can I somehow make a partition and install Ubuntu and have the option to boot into either windows xp or Ubuntu? I have just 1 80gig HD.

Thanks for any tips about what is the best way to go about this.
 
You can keep your installation of XP, you'll just need to resize you Window's partition to make room for Linux, and then use GRUB or LILO while installing Linux to give you a menu to choose which to boot.
 
ok I burned the Ubunto 5.04 iso to a cd. But the pc will not boot using the Ubunto 5.04 cd?

What would be a good way to resize the Window's partition to make room for Linux?

Sorry for the noob questions. Booth Linux and dual-booting is a first for me.
 
Make a bootable ISO or go into bios and switch it to Boot From Disc.... problem solved.
 
CpuMan said:
ok I burned the Ubunto 5.04 iso to a cd. But the pc will not boot using the Ubunto 5.04 cd?

What would be a good way to resize the Window's partition to make room for Linux?

Sorry for the noob questions. Booth Linux and dual-booting is a first for me.
Click to expand...


Might seem like I think you're a moron by asking this question, but err... it's happened before so I have to ask.

Did you just copy the ISO to a CD or did you burn the ISO?
 
neo86 said:
Might seem like I think you're a moron by asking this question, but err... it's happened before so I have to ask.

Did you just copy the ISO to a CD or did you burn the ISO?
Click to expand...

I don't mind thats a good question, lol. But yes I burned the iso. I can open the cd I burned and see all the files on the cd. I do have a copy of Linspire and it boots into the live cd just fine. So I know my bios is set up correctly to boot from the cd drive. I thought that this Ubuntu iso image would have included the boot files but I guess not.

I have nero. But I am going nowhere fast trying to figure out how to turn this into a bootable iso. Maybe this was a bad idea. I thought it would be a good way to start learning linux. But I have already spent a few hours on this project and its already getting frustrating.
 
Ok I am downloading another torrent located here, http://ubuntu.hands.com/releases/5.04/

"Install/live DVD

The combined install/live DVD allows you either to install Ubuntu permanently on a computer, or (by entering 'live' at the boot prompt) to try Ubuntu without changing your computer at all. There are three images available, each for a different type of computer:"

Maybe this one will work out better. It must be a large iso file because I am downloading at 155kbs and its says it will take 5 hours to finish. I will download tonight and give it another wack tomowow.
 
Sounds good.

As for why the one you got first didn't work, who knows. There's a whole list of somewhat improbable possibilities. :)
 
I'm not familiar with Ubuntu (seemd too n00bish to me... wanted to learn about Linux... not just how to use it) but maybe you just downloaded/burned one of the install extras disks rather than the main one you use to boot. :confused: A lot of distros I've seen come with like... 2-4 disks, but only one is bootable.
 
I used Ubuntu for a few months (actually it was Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu). Its a great OS for newbies/novices.

To dual-boot, run a defrag on windows first! This is very important. Then shave about 10-15gb off of windows. Install Ubuntu on the 10-15gb you left aside.
 
Web250 said:
I used Ubuntu for a few months (actually it was Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu). Its a great OS for newbies/novices.

To dual-boot, run a defrag on windows first! This is very important. Then shave about 10-15gb off of windows. Install Ubuntu on the 10-15gb you left aside.
Click to expand...


This is where i am running into a brick wall. How do I "shave 10-15gb off of windows"?
I have 1 80gig ntfs partition on my 80gig hard drive at the moment. The drive is 48% free. I am stuck trying to make another partition in this Hd for Ubuntu.

Any help with this problem would be most appreciated.
 
I was able to borrow a copy of partition magic from a friend. I was able then to resize my windows partition and then install Ubuntu. Now I have to learn how to find my way around this new os. I feel like a fish out of water, lol.
 
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