Ubuntu worked perfectly on install/ Dual boot.

Being a Neebie to linux & having a bad experience with Fedora Core 2 & Grub a while ago, I was unsure if I should try to install Ubuntu on my laptop.

After Playing with live CD I decided to go for it.

I deleted one partition that was used as a D drive on windows & created two new partitions. One for Ubuntu and One for swap. I have no idea what a swap partition is for. I just carefully followed the directions to a tee. Install was Flawless.

Ofcourse, I will NEVER mess with Acers recovery partition!!!

After install it loaded almost Exactly as it does running it via live cd. It picked up my build in wireless perfectly. Works great with my linksys router with wep key.

First thing I did was Update & Install most of the extra apps. VERY NICE.

It was also Very easy to use and view (share) my files on my Windows XP drive
I can play music, view pics ETC: from XP drive.

Thunderbird is ok, but I'm not that impressed. I really haven't tested Evolution Mail yet.

Sound & Video apps are more than I can ask for.


YEEAAAA, bluetooth is easy on this thing. I didn't even have to load the driver, being it's a usb dongle. I'm starting to think it either shares drivers with my XP drive or linux doesn't need drivers for every little thing. Which is it?

I wish they had a linux version of active sync.

Boot screen made it easy to choose between OS.

Well, SO FAR SO GOOD

It's too early to tell if I will be using Linux more than Windows yet.


I BASICALLY MADE THIS POST FOR OTHER LINUX NEEBIES AND FOR EXPERTS TO GIVE ME ADVICE OR LINKS TO APPS.

 

Which version of Ubuntu are you running?

 

6.06 Desktop

 

Just a tip, I notice you're using a Turion X2. By default, Ubuntu may not install a kernel that allows for dual-core processing. Try going through the package manager for an smp kernel. You might notice a sharp performance increase.

EDIT: By the way, have you got the drivers installed for the X1100? How's the performance?

 

How sharp it could be? Have you had any experience?

 

A non smp kernel will only recognise 1 of the 2 cores in the X2. So, it'll be like running on a standard Turion (which is still quite good).

 

How would I go about doing that? To make dual-core work? In the meantime I'll google it. Also how would I check if it is or not?

Package manager?

The Acer link to Linux drivers is down or just doesn't work at the moment, I'll try later. Graphics seem perfectly fine tho. The same highest res that I can use on XP.


I only had one problem with install, when I would try to boot WinXP it would tell me that the "autochk" is missing and then restart the computer without entering XP. I looked it up and it's a common problem. I just reinstalled XP and problem is now gone


I'm also having a problem trying to install apps from website. (ie, antivirus).
I'll learn soon enough tho.

 

Did you use Gparted to do the partitioning? You must have had Windows in its own partition if you could so easily reinstall it which is a good move and something I'm thinking about. What's the breakdown of your HD partitions if you don't mind my asking?

~ Brett

 

Gparted is a part of the Ubuntu install, or it looks just like it. I Partitioned everything during install.

My Partitions are as followed ......

Partition 1 ..... This is Acers recovery Partition. I DON'T DARE MESS WITH IT.
4.88GB
It's 100x faster to reinstall recovery by selecting this partition on grub loader, than using a recovery cd/dvd. About 15min VS 1hr 30min

Partition 2 ..... My C: drive. Windows XP is installed via Acer recovery.
51.21GB

THE PARTITIONS ABOVE WERE NEVER TOUCHED OR CREATED BY ME. I ONLY REINSTALLED ACER RECOVERY OR TESTED VISTA IN C: DRIVE BUT NEVER CONFIG PARTITIONS.

I deleted a partition which was 50GB (give or take a gig). This used to be my D: drive under windows. I used it mainly for storage.

I then created....

Partition 3 ...This is what I installed Ubuntu Linux on.
39.06GB

Then I created a SWAP PARTITION. I have no idea what It's for, but Ubuntu install said to make one of atleast 256MB. I had 14.64GB left, so I just used all of it for swap. I didn't feel like messing with it anymore.

 

Well, 14GB for swap is overkill. This swap partition is the same as virtual memory under windows; in fact you can use files just like windows does, but performance is a bit worse and you'd have to set them up by hand (not that difficult). I am not that familiar with ubuntu, but I assume it has a graphical utility that will let you resize that partition; anything over 2GB is overkill, 1GB is probably enough. You might use the remaining 13/12GB for data (you might even format it as FAT32 so it can be used both by Windows and Linux).
That said, unless you plan to have a lot of media in your /home (think of it like My Documents folder) or you plan to install a lot of programs, 39GB for Ubuntu is also overkill. You could allocate 20GB and you'd have plenty of room to spare. In any case, make sure you know what you are doing if you go and try to repartition the HD.

 

Try running a terminal, and enter the command "uname -a" then look for the string SMP in the returned text. If it's there, there's a good chance you already have the right kernel for your dual core.

The package manager (called Synaptic under Ubuntu IIRC) is used for installing and removing applications under linux. If your current kernel doesn't support SMP, then run Synaptic and search for "kernel" and install one with SMP support.

 

Yea, I know that the SWAP partition was overkill. I just didn't feel like redoing the partitions at the moment. But I'll fix it in due time. I had no idea as to how much GB I would need for Ubuntu. I will reload Ubuntu and make proper Partitions only when there is a need to reinstall XP too. I don't want to have the autochk missing problem again unless I plan on reinstalling XP anyway. And the suggestion of using a drive from both OS sounds sweet. Thanks for the info.

Thanks Alot for advice. Worked perfectly. I actually install ALL that is compatible.
Easier than I thought Out of the kernal I update I seen two that is SMP, one was AMD and it seems the other was for intel (something like that)

 

Of course, you'll have installed the AMD SMP kernel... it's optimised for the AMD specific instructions and power management.

Yup, very easy. Once you've added a few extra repositories there are literally THOUSANDS of packages available, all ready to download and install with a single click.

 

WOW, I never had so many Audio/Video Apps loaded at once. I'm testing out Hydrogen now. Most of this stuff would cost money in windows platform.

I also love the Force Quit tool which I put on the top tool bar. Gaim is sweet too. I'm still battling with e-mail a bit. Gmail works perfect with thuderbird ofcourse. It's hotmail and Yahoo that gives me problems, but I'll find a solution soon enough.


I also just relized that checking unsupported apps, shows alot more apps. Not to mention the much needed Audio/Vids codecs.

I just wish I wasn't stuck with using active sync. Being my phone uses WM5 and I also use Exchange server.

Other than that and a couple other minor things, I can see myself using Linux more than windows. Atleast until Windows Vista is fully stable with all patches. Probally a year after it's released.

 

UPDATE: Ubuntu seems to have a passkey problem when using bluetooth.

I have no problem sending and recieving files VIA bluetooth.

Its the Phone Manager app that asks for a passkey and is never able to connect.

I tried to fix this thru copy & paste from websites into the terminal, but it didn't work.

 

I just found a link to View Linux Partition (Ext3) from Windows.

Most will know this, But for beginers like me this is great

The link for FREE download ......

http://www.fs-driver.org/download.html




I was also Happy to be able to install Skype, Google Earth, IE6 Etc:


Bluetooth works but I've yet to find a decent SYNC program. I'm also having problems finding a driver for my Acer cam