Thinking of installing Ubuntu...

Well, I have Ubuntu on a cd, and it looks nice.

As I have plenty of extra HD space, it wouldn't hurt to install it, but there are two things in my way. I hope you can help me with this. And I did read the Beginner's guide sticky and looked up some stuff on the Ubuntu website.

1. I think I understand how to resize a partition to install Ubuntu, but I'm worried about data loss. So, should I really back up all my personal data before trying to resize the partition, and how much space is a good idea? 10GB?

2. The sound didn't work when I ran it off the cd. I also noticed this with the recent version of Puppy Linux. I have integrated Sigmatel sound...is there a driver for this? Do I download it, or is it included? Do I have to install it? If so, how?

Sorry, I know I'm a bit Linux-ignorant...

Thanks.

=^)

 

10GB should be enough but I doubt you can resize a partition that has Windows on it.

How old is your puppy linux CD? The unbutu is pretty much new so if it doesn't work OTB, chances are that there are no drivers for it (wich I doubt)

 

you can resize the partition with windows on it, and if you have vista (which you do) you can even do that using vista's partitioner and get the partition table ready before you install

 

I'm talking about the most recent version of Puppy Linux and Ubuntu. I downloaded the .iso file for both and burned to a CD.

But I'm pretty sure people, maybe even on this forum, run Ubuntu on the same model computer as me (Vostro 1400) and with the same sound?

And so I can't resize my NTFS 80GB Windows partition? That would suck.

Oh, thanks Fittersman - I was thinking I should be able to.

 

if you use the ubuntu partitioner to resize your windows partition, you will lose all your data.

resize from w/in vista.

there are billions of walkthrus on the web, i find it hard to believe that there isn't one out there already outlining everything you need to do

 

Try this ISO for your Vostro 1400, it's custom to Dell. The Inspiron 1420 is basically a Vostro 1400.

http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_7.10

 

Thanks, NotebookYoozer, I was ready to go full steam ahead with the instructions from the Ubuntu website!

liquidiq, thanks for the link, but I already downloaded an .iso that took over a day to download, and I don't really want to repeat the process!

 

I shrunk my 250 gig hd in Vista, and gave linux 100 gigs even...my /home partition is 40 gigs I think where I keep all my data. If you're going to try Ubuntu, you might was well try Mint (Ubuntu with a more streamlined menu systems, desktop.) But all that's configurable anyway.

 

So what I'm getting is that it's best to do the partitioning work in Vista?

 

Anything you can't afford to lose, you should back up, always. You just never know when something is going to happen. I've seen people loose very important files and there was nothing that could be done.

 

I don't have Vista and I haven't tried dual-booting recently... but I see no reason why gparted (the default partition manager for Gnome/Ubuntu) would have an issue. I have used it to play with XP NTSF partitions in the past...

... and YES, whenever you are doing anything that can have an impact on any important data, especially the MBR (master boot record), I would highly suggest having everything backed up!

~ Brett

P.S. - I say go for it - it's a lot of fun to play with, especially when Dell has already taken care of all the hardware compatibility issues!

 

You can also download PartedMagic which is a live CD that uses Gparted....I've done that also....it's not bad to have that CD laying around anyway. It's at download.com for one place.

 

Dont forget to also defrag the partition you are goin to resize before any partition operations

Btw, i thought 10gb was enough once, but soon i realized it is not. Put something like 30+ gbs

You can also try Kubuntu, which is Ubuntu itself with KDE user interface. It would be worth for you to try both KDE and Gnome (one which Ubuntu uses) based distros before making your choice!

 

You know, I didn't realize how sensitive Vista is to partition work when I made my previous comments. You might want to read this or other guides before doing anything too rash...

~ Brett

 

Thanks Nrbelex. Now it looks like I'm going to:

1. Research a bit more

2. Backup personal data

3. Resize my partition in Vista giving myself 10GB for Ubuntu

4. Install Ubuntu

I hope this works out - Ubuntu has a pretty ingenious design!

 

Try PC Linux OS. Im Using it with my old Windows 2000 Desktop(Sony)
You can download the .iso file and its about 690 MB. LiveCD

Heres the link: Download: http://spout.ussg.indiana.edu/linux...ive-cd/english/preview/pclos-gnome-2.21.2.iso

 

I really liked PCLinuxOS Gnome Edition, but it simply won't work with my wireless card in sig.....however, Fedora 8 Gnome ed. does, and is rock solid to boot.

 

ok, pixelol, i'm going to give you some very good ubuntu advice (from a guy using it since version 5.10)

You will be MUCH (I really mean it) better off downloading the dell configured distro mentioned on the first page. I have basically the same configuration as you (save the graphics) and installed regular plain old 7.10...sound and wireless are really flaky. Download the distro customized by dell of the linux.dell.com/wiki site. Get the one for the 1420 with the 8400 graphics card.

Oh, and if you'll be using ubuntu as an actual secondary OS, not just a plaything, give it 20gigs or so to play around with. (And make sure to make the swap space! 2gigs is a nice, roomy size.)

Sound and wireless work out of the box, no hassle with dell version.


Just saving you a LOT of time down the road. Set it to download overnight, and burn it in the morning.

 

1.10GB is plenty & yes, back up your data.
Also, remember to make a swap partion.
2.Hmmm, I'm pretty sure we have the same audio & it works fine for me in Linux Mint 4 & Ubuntu 7.10.

 

I use an extremely large separate /home partition to keep my data and virtual machines....you might want to give that some thought also.

 

Ubuntu is installed, in case anyone reads this thread!

 

Congrats, pixelot! I love Ubuntu - Windows is now gone from my computer where Ubuntu lives in sin with Suse. I'm no expert at Linux, but am learning and really like the distros I've tried. Hope you'll feel the same. Enjoy.

 

Thanks! Linux is the future.

 

Everyone always says that, but my swap space NEVER gets used. I gave it 4GB, cause I was hoping to get hibernate working, but I never did. IMO, a large swapspace is fairly optional if you have a decent amount of ram. I'd say a GB is good, maybe even overkill.

p.s. I have apps that monitor usage.

 

Wow....where ya been 'rob? Hope all is well. No more triple booting Arch, Slackware and Gentoo?

 

Yeah, mine hasn't been used. I have a GB. It's probably good. Meh.

Your name has changed!!!

 

This thread is ancient.....

 

Yes....and your point is???

 

I just got worn out on DaZoid....lol

 

hehehe....by golly, it sure is.....lol

 

I didn't even realize it was that old til somone said........