just got ubuntu... lost partition

i just got the CD's from the netherlands... 5 CD's! hehe

i want to install this thing on my lappy... really slow on live cd. this is the dumbest question i will have to post in this forum...

So how do i install ubuntu on my lappy in a different partition?

i tried doing it... i just created a 15GB partition following the steps and it seems that in the middle, i do not get the things it is saying, like mounting, 2GB for the root / etc.

i just created 15GB worth of partition, no file format... in step 5 as i remember... then when i go to step 6, i see only TWO (2) drives that i can install this thing to: my primary drive and the 5GB restore.

after some confussions, i quitted installing this one. i might overwrite my windows partition and haven't backed it up yet, 40GB all.when i restarted and booted to windows, my free space was 15GB less... the partition i just created was no where to be found! o my...

please someone help me.. or maybe a clear step by step on the how to's of this installation. thanks

 

I've installed Ubuntu on thinkpads several times, and would be happy to help walk you through this, but I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about with regard to the partitioning.

The best way to go about setting up a dual boot system is to defragment your drive under XP, then use the built in partitioner on the Live CD. Before installing, be sure to back up any important data. I've never had a Linux installation go bad on me, but you can never be too careful.

 

If the Linux partitioning utility isn't working for you, you could go out and buy Symantec Partitionmagic, a windows utility which can do all sorts of things with partitions (including resizing them without harming the data, which is important if there isn't any free space available to make a new partition).

Since I haven't installed Linux on a Thinkpad (yet), is there anything you need to know about the recovery partition? I'm wondering if adding partitions will change the ordering and keep the thinkpad utilities from finding the recovery partition...

 

IMHO; Avoid PartMagic 8! Use stronger & better parted or Qtparted (Free but can donate to the OpenSource cause!)
If U try any Vista, then PM8 will just lead to headaches!

I have lots of practice trying to fix new Dual boot setups, have made many `new migrator' mistakes (Not a Linux problem, just me not knowing any C programming basics when I started!) + Backup your Partition table!

Did U Defrag before install?? No dumb questions! We just need more info, please EDIT the original post in this forum. How much GNU/Lin exp U have Please review fdisk, sfdisk, grub, cfdisk, parted & lilo http://www.linuxmanpage.com/man8/

Did you Custom Partition? If not, then Edgy Eft formatted; SWAP, /, /home as it wanted (FS=Ext3?).

2 HD or 2 partitions??
U Do not want to mess w/ 5gbRestore until U make a copy/backup of it. Do you have XP Instl CD?? I do not know Tpads, but May need to reformat entire HD, Instal XP, then instl GNU/Linux.

See zac.. STEP 2!
Boot from Ubuntu CD, Use Rescue! Please Tell us the output of
fdisk -l

 

i do not have any GNU/Lin exp... my first time on installing this OS

my HDD is originally the 100GB supplied... minus the recovery partition i haven't burned ...

i have 87GB (i think) of space for windows... after doing the custom partition, i created a new 15GB partition, with no file format, leaving my windows partition into 72GB...

i think i want to restore that original 87GB of space FIRST... then try to install this again AFTER that.

p.s. ubuntu in my lappy does not follow the resolution of my screen. why is that?

edit:
i finally got the idea of the root and swap... i tried to install it again and in step 6 when it proceeds to installation, it only goes to 15% and the dialog box disappears... and it is not installed! am i doing it right or should i wait maybe for 30mins after the dialog box disappears... it always disappear after the 15% mark