New to Linux... want to dual boot

I am new to Linux and want to dual boot XP and Ubuntu.

So this is what I want to do...
I will format my hard drive using my XP cd. So I will create the first partition for XP and then leave the second for Ubuntu.

Will I be able to install Ubuntu on the second partition and then be able to dual boot? Both operating systems will work independently of each other, correct? So in essence, it would be as though I would have 2 hard drives on the laptop, one for each OS.

I looked at the FAQ but would like some clarification.

Thanks.

 

yes. i would look into partitioning software though, so you don't have to reformat your xp install. ubuntu comes with a boot manager but you can also just use the windows one

 

xpete, this is just my opinion but I suggest to download a CD from distrowatch called 'System Rescue CD.' It's good because if you ever hose either your Linux or Windows OS, you might be able to recover with that CD. It can also partition or format as well. It has a Partition Manager on there called GParted.

The other advice I would suggest (FWIW) is to have a separate (dedicated) GRUB partition and that would boot up your operating systems. It's not hard to do. You can even get any Linux OS LiveCD and just copy the grub directories and files onto the GRUB partition you create. The partition can be as small as 8 MB and you format the partition as ext2 or ex3, it doesn't matter.

It really works well but it might take a little while to get used to it. Google 'Grub page' and there's tons of into about it.

Imho, I would set it up this way:
1) format and create four partitions of 10-15 GB each. For the 4th partition, you create an extended partition and then the first logical partition from that, you install the grub partition and then, Ubuntu. In the other three partitions, you format them NTFS. On the first NTFS one, you install XP. The two others you format as NTFS.

The 2nd drive you mention, I would use as a data/storage drive for Ubuntu.

On the other two NTFS partitions, I would use one for storage/data files for XP. That way, if you ever muck up your XP (partition), nothing happens to your Windows (data) files that you may want to keep.

If you ever muck up your Ubuntu partition, the data you save from there would be on the 2nd drive so no harm done and there is no concern about reinstalling if you need to.

This is assuming you might use Linux/Ubuntu more often than XP.

Well, these are just ideas and maybe something to think about?

 

please bear with me...

I decided to format my hard drive.

So I'm going to use XP to create 3 partitions.
I will install XP on the first.

Then I will pop in the Ubuntu CD and boot. I will then install Ubuntu on the 3rd partition.

I will use the second partition (NTFS) for shared files between Ubuntu and XP.

How does this sound? Is the Ubuntu install straightforward?

Thanks for your help.

 

Oh

and can I install Ubuntu 64-bit with XP? I don't see why not, but I am new to this dual boot stuff.

 

So I guess I have to make a GRUB partition also...

 

All you need is the Ubuntu live CD and the XP install CD. You didn't need to re-install XP, but since you've formatted already here's the easiest way.

1. Boot using the XP installer and create your 3 partitions when you get to that step, 1 for XP, 1 for Ubuntu, 1 for data.
2. Install XP onto the 1st partition. Do the complete install before you move on.
3. When done with XP, Boot the Ubuntu live CD and follow the install prompts. Install Ubuntu onto the 2nd partition you made. 64 bit is fine, XP and Ubuntu are totally unrelated to each other. Ubuntu will want to make a small swap partition, go ahead and let it.
4. Once it's installed, GRUB will detect your XP and Ubuntu and will make the boot menu for you so you can choose which OS to run when you first boot.
5. After you're all done format the data partition using either XP or Ubuntu.

When you're all done, on windows install the ext2/3 drivers and on Windows install the NTFS-3g drivers. This way you can mount and access your Windows disk from Ubuntu, or your Ubuntu disk from Windows.

I have done the above on my past 3 computers including this laptop, it's pretty simple. Except I do not have a data partition on my laptop, I use an external drive I can mount from either Windows or Ubuntu.

Greg.

 

No, you don't need a grub partition. Grub lives on your Ubuntu partition but the bootloader will be written to the MBR of the disk.

A lot of people advise a partition for everything but my opinion is to keep it simple. The fewer partitions you have the easier it is.

 

So I created 3 partitions. Installed XP on the first.

I booted with the 64-bit Ubuntu disc and I get to the Ubuntu screen (the one that appears to have a rock in the background or something), but then everything goes black... I guess its freezing. I have tried checking ACPI off.

I will try the 32-bit disc and see what happens.

Update: same thing happens with the 32-bit version

 

What hardware are using? Specifically, what video card? The Intel G45/ 4500MHD graphics chips have a hard time with Ubuntu, but most nvidia or ATI graphics usually work well right out of the box.

 

HP 2530P
SL9400
4GB DDR2
Intel GS45
X4500 graphics

I'm gonna try 8.04

 

Hope that works out for you.

You might want to check out this bug report thread at Launchpad...
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-intel/+bug/268615

 

stupid question...
would burning the image on a DVD disc instead of a CD be a problem? I burned 8.10 to a DVD

 

Not stupid...and not a problem. A couple of days ago I burned the Fedora 10 LiveCD to a DVD+R and it booted up just fine.

 

Have you considered using Wubi?

 

I honestly don't know much about the distributions.

I am currently installing 8.04. Everything should be fine as long as I got the partitions correct.

 

Wubi is for Ubuntu. It installs as a file in Windows so you don't have to worry about breaking your MBR. I wish I had it around when I first tried out Linux.

 

It doesn't get to the menu?

If you get to the menu, try booting in safe graphics mode. (If that doesn't work...) There are also 'mode lines' you can set in the kernel boot line that will boot it to a lower resolution.

If you don't get to the menu, it's a different situation.

 

I got 8.04 installed and it seems to be working well with the grub partition. However, 8.04 does not have built in support for Intel WIFI 5100... which sucks. I'm going to try to install the 8.10 again today (I believe this has built in support)

I appreciate the advice and assistance

 

Yeah, xpete, the Intel 5100/5300 wifi cards need the 2.6.27 kernel so it works in Intrepid. I read you can compile the kernel with distros that use 2.6.26 but it sounds like a lot of work.

 

I would check out wubi

 

get the latest linux mint 6 (based on ubuntu 8.10),
shrink the windows partition during its installation, and install it on the rest of your hdd, and it will install grub for you. so you will have a better-than-ubuntu dual boot system. good luck!

 

I am running Ubuntu 8.10 right now on a separate partition. I don't see how MINT is really going to be more beneficial over Ubuntu 8.10. They use the same kernel.

 

Haha, that's like saying there's no reason to ever use another distro over another if they have the same kernel

 

Recommend using GParted for future partitioning. The Live CD. It worked best for me.

 

That is not what I meant entirely. I just don't see the huge benefit in terms of hardware compatibility.