cant install linux, help!

Hi
I am tring to install a dual boot win 7 and ubuntu 910 on a sager 8662. The live cd runs fine , but when I try to install and get to the partition part,
it doesnt see my other partitions (including an empty space 30g for linux).
I don't want to redo windows if i can avoid it.
Has anyone else installed a dual boot?

Thanks

 

Err yeah I had a brief concern like that but you can just select what part of the harddrive to install ubuntu on. I think it is the second choice when choosing the partition option, you basically show how much of your hdd you want to give linux manually. You CAN take free space from your windows install (If it's the same as with vista). It should show you the maximum space it can take from your windows partition (probably not that much). **I think I had to format in ntfs to see it in ubuntu menu** (you can partition on an ntfs partition while installing linux)

I suggest having a backup image of your windows 7 partition just to be sure, and then try the different partition options. If you can't see what I'm talking about, I'll go try it myself and tell you step by step

 

You might also get more answers if you have your thread moved over to the linux sub-forum. There are a lot of good folks over there who have boatloads of experience double-booting various flavors of Win and of linux.

 

Are you trying to install Ubuntu on an NTFS partition? Go into Windows > Manage > Disk Management and completely delete all your unused partitions to the point where it's unformatted space. Ubuntu should see this, and you'll be able to format them to ext3/4 or whatever you decide to use.

 

When installing ubuntu go to manual partitioning instead of the one offered by default. You can then delete, create , resize and format as you wish. Basically, you'll need to allocate ~20-40GB for a root partition which should be on your first HDD (otherwise you'll be getting a delayed scan on GRUB for 10-15sec), 2-4GB for a swap area and as much as you wish for your home partition which can be created on any HDD.

 

Gparted can definitely see and change ntfs partitions, but you're right it might be faster prepping them through Windows disk management.

 

What do you mean 'it doesn't see your other partitions?' What partitions?

If you use the Ubuntu LiveCD, go to GParted and you can select your hard drive and there should be a selection there. Then the window should show your partitions including the Windows (NTFS) one.

If you are looking at the GUI apps trying to find your partitions, you probably won't see them unless you mount them but it should auto-mount. However, in many cases, there is security so it won't automount immediately. But, going to GParted and selecting the 'drive' should result in them automounting. Then you can go to the GUI application (I forget what they are in Gnome) and you should be able to 'see' your partitions.