Questions about using Ubuntu

Hey,

I am looking into using and learning Ubuntu, but I have some questions because I don't know much about it. I currently have a Dell 1720 with 32 bit home premium. and about 60 gb free. I want to "dual boot" Vista and Linux so I can pick which OS to use for a session. My first question:

How do I install Ubuntu so that I can dual boot? Is 15 gb a good amount to set aside for Ubuntu? Or should I set aside more?

Next question:

Will installing Ubuntu affect Vista's performance in anyway? Will it cause freezes or anything?

Then, do most Windows programs work on Ubuntu, or is it like Mac where there are Linux versions of programs?

Finally, what is the best version of Ubuntu to get? Also, 32 bit or 64 bit? I have 4gb of ram.

Thanks and I really hope to get into the Ubuntu world.

 

- Ubuntu should ask you to install it dual-boot when you go through the installer.
- 15-20GB is fine to use for just trying Ubuntu.
- No, Ubuntu will not affect Vista's performance in any way. But make sure you don't uninstall it by just deleting the partition... then it will make Vista unbootable.
- Ubuntu is not Windows, just like OSX is not Windows. You have Linux programs that do the same kinds of things that Windows programs do. You can run SOME Windows programs with wine, but don't count on many things running perfectly.
- The best version is the latest version. 8.10 as of right now, 9.04 is coming out next month sometime. 64bit will let you use all 4GB of RAM, unlike your 32bit Vista install.

Good luck! Before you go too far, I highly recommend reading this article: http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

 

Thanks for the reply! So if I download 64 bit ubuntu iso and burn it to a dvd (note: not a cd), and I put the disc in during startup, I will get the option to install Ubuntu as a dual boot OS and the option to also allocate how much of my Vista hard drive space to use?

 

You want to go into Vista's disk manager and create your partition for Ubuntu first, then install to that partition and by all means leave the Vista partition alone Also, install Grub to the hd0 or MBR, don't install it on the Ubuntu partition and you'll be alright.

Pitabred is the guy to ask questions, I'm just a user

 

Ok I went to the vista manager and now have about 15 gb of free, unallocated space. However, I was afraid to continue the installation of ubuntu because it was only allowing me to partition the Vista drive, and I don't know how to use the free space I made. I clicked on largest contiguous free space, but it showed the "after" bar graph as being 100% Ubuntu instead of just 9%, which is the amount of free space I allocated.

 

That's where I'd want to be because I partition it manually during install. If you don't feel comfortable with that, go back into the liveCD and bring up the Gparted, or the disk partitioner from the ubuntu admin menu. Select that unallocated space and format it to EXT 3. The go back through the install and do a guided install using that partition. Install grub to MBR not the new partition.

 

Thanks for the reply. I still don't follow though. Right now, I have 15gb of free space that doesn't appear under windows right now. What do I do to get Ubuntu into that 15gb? Please bare with me as my main worry is that I might wipe out Vista and all of my programs/data with it. Thanks

 

Are you stuck on the part where you choose which partition you want to install it on? Does it look something like this screen?


If so, select the Manual option since you already have the space allocated. Then you should see something like this.

The one that has "ntfs" as the type is your Vista partition. You don't want to install on that. Select the 15gb partition that you made for your Ubuntu and click "edit" at the bottom.

A new window will pop up like this:


Set the parameters in the popup window to be like that(use ext3, format , mount point is "/"). Don't change the first parameter or it will change the size of your partition. After that, click OK and Forward.

 

Thanks for the reply. Mine does look like that, except there is a category called "free space" that is white colored. Also, how do I make it so that Vista is the default OS?

 

I know, no worries if you stay away from sda1 or the Vista partition. Boot up the liveCD, go system>administration>partition manager (or disk manager) whatever they call it, and you will see that unallocated space. Select it with the mouse and basically you want to format that unallocated space to EXT3.

or, when you go thru the install, select manual partitioning...a disk map will come up and you will see that unallocated space....click it, select EDIT at the bottom, and create these partitions (15gb is pretty scant!)

/ (this is the mount point)
Ext3
format yes
size 5 gb

/home (this is the mount point)
Ext3
format yes
size 9 gb

and lastly:
SWAP
1 gb

those are the three logical partitions to you want to create. It will install into / partition. The /home is where all your USER files will be. the install will put them there.

See if you feel comfortable doing this, and if not, just abort it and come back...maybe someone else can explain it easier.

I'm in vista now....

 

maybe between the two posts above you can get the point...let us know.

 

Yes I think I get the point. But I am still confused about one thing. I will include a screenshot showing the unallocated space. Is this the space I edit during the Ubuntu application?

 

It's very easy once you install it. Just open a Terminal and type in

Scroll down to the bottom and you will see a list of everything that is in your boot menu. It's just a matter of rearranging which OS is first. If you need any more help, free to ask.

You mean the area that is selected in black? That's the partition you want to install to. There's a similar application that is included with the live CD and you can use it to check before you install Ubuntu. The application is called GParted so just type in

in a Terminal and it will start up.

I think my method is easier for Linux newbies (and Ubuntu automatically makes /home and /swap partitions after you specify the partition to install on) but TheZoid is definitely way more knowledgeable about Linux than me so just listen to him. I'm still a Linux newbie too.

 

What is a terminal and how do I open it?

 

Terminal is one way to do command line in Ubuntu. Once you've booted up with the LiveCD, go to Applications>Accessories>Terminal.

 

Ok now I am about to hit install, but before I do, in the advanced option, what do I pick for Boot Loader, Device for boot loader installation? It is set to hd0 now, but theZoid recommended MBR?

 

Can you post a screenshot? I don't know what you're talking about.

 

I don't have a screenshot of my sepcific case, but this one:


Shows close to what mine is. I have an option called /dev/sda3 and it says Vista Longhorn next to it. Should I pick this so that Vista is my main OS?

 

hd0, or MBR, on Vista partition is where you want to install the GRUB Bootloader....not on the new partition....is that were it defaults to? it should.

EDIT: MS sees linux as a 'threat' and windows won't read EXT3 out of the box. Remember, "Windows ain't done 'til Linux won't run" Ubuntu, will however read and write to your ntfs partition...you can scan your music, photo's, etc off the Vista partition when you get set up and save some file space.

 

Ok I got Ubuntu running now along with Vista. Thanks for all the help.

 

Glad to hear it...once you've done it once, it's pretty easy.