Dual Boot Help.

General Topics
1

I"d like to set up dual boot capabilities on my computer.
The 200 gig HD currently has a single partition.
Currently running Windows XP SP2 want to add abitlity to boot to
ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn)
Windows XP should remain as the default primary boot if no action at
boot time is selected.

Thanks. :slight_smile:

2

Graphical installer instructions…

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

or here:

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

Tip: Be sure to defrag your hard drive before starting the installation process. Twice would be good.

Discussion and instructions on changing the boot order…

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=34393

Tip: You can simply “cut and paste” any instructions for the Terminal - no need to type that stuff in yourself.

:slight_smile:

3

Bob, I suggest you do NOT install the Linux boot loader (Lilo or Grub) in the main partition or you’ll replace the Windows boot loader.
I suggest, you resize your partition: with 6 Gb for Linux is more than enough and you can create a third partition for Home (Linux). Then you can have the operational system files of Linux in the second partition and your files and data (Home) in the third. For the boot Linux partition () 6 Gb and for the \Home 8-15 Gb should be enough.
Then you can install Linux by the ‘alternate ISO’ download (not the common one). Choose not to install the boot loader in the main boot sector but rather in the boot sector of the second partition (this should remain an inactive partition).
Use Bootpart to add an entry for Linux in the Windows boot loader (http://www.winimage.com/bootpart.htm).
Be happy 8)

4

Tech, for a simple dual boot, that’s overly complicated, and unnecessary for someone new to Linux. Ubuntu’s suggested way of doing it works fine, or they wouldn’t have it in their document base, as the proper way to install. Besides, those are the instructions I followed, and I haven’t had one bit of a problem. Let’s try to get them into Linux, with the least amount of grief…

5

So… you’ll lose the boot loader from Windows… If he doesn’t mind, just go ahead.

6

If he followed the installation instructions, he’ll have both operating systems available to him. But, by default, it will boot Linux first. However, changing the boot order is a simple process. I posted a link on how to do it, in my first response to Bob, and there are many more instructional sites, if he simply Googles “changing the boot order in Ubuntu”.

Bob - If you spend any amount of time on Ubuntu’s forum, you will see the following tutorial referenced many times. It’s very good, and worth bookmarking for future reference:

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/index.php

7

Thanks every one.
In my case, I’ll use the simple solutiuon and stay safe.
I’ll continue to boot from the CD whenever I want to play with Ubuntu.
I have to much running at all times to mess with re-partitioning.

8

When you change your mind, just ask for help again 8)

9

Hi Bob
You’ve probably thought of this already but safest simple dual-boot is to install the second OS on a separate drive and change the boot drive in the BIOS when you want Ubuntu. Even easier if your BIOS has a hot-key to choose the boot device at startup.

10

Sounds Good. How do you do it in a PC with Windows (Crappy) Vista?

11

May I ask out of curriosity which CD you boot from for ubuntu ?

Thanks

Al968

12

If you have you have a 32 bit computer (Standard personal computer (x86 architecture, PentiumTM, CeleronTM, AthlonTM, SempronTM), the file to download is
ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso
Once downloded, You’ll need to burn it to a CD.
You can download the file or get a CD from:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu
The above quoted file is also available from MySharedFiles in the Linux folder.