Setting up Dual boot

LandyMan

LandyMan

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Morning all,

When redoing my Notebook in Dec, I kept a partition open (about 25 Gb) for the possibility of installing Linux. On my way to work this morning, I have decided it is time.

I have the latest Ubuntu ISO, which I will burn to disk in a little bit. Apart from that, how do I go about it?

I am running Win XP pro on a HP notebook.

Thanks
 
Set your computer to boot from cd, insert cd and restart. Install as per normal
 
JStrike has it. Installing Windows first is always a good idea, otherwise Windows can (will) fark your linux boot record. Linux plays nicely with Windows, Windows does not play nicely with the pengy.
 
Shot, thanks guys ... will try it a bit later.
Do you know by any chance if it is possible to install on a USB external drive, and boot from that? (bit scared I f@ck up my notebook) :D
 
LandyMan said:
Shot, thanks guys ... will try it a bit later.
Do you know by any chance if it is possible to install on a USB external drive, and boot from that? (bit scared I f@ck up my notebook) :D
Click to expand...

If your PC supports booting off of the drive, you should be able to.
Set up boot devices as:
1) CD / DVD first
2) USB drive 2nd
3) HDD third.

Boot! The partition manager in linux should tell you what is going on, and list the drives it can install on. Never have tried it this way, as I tend to use removable drives in my desktop (hard drive brackets).

EDIT: USB is 2nd boot device, so that you can switch it off / unplug and the windows will boot by default.
 
I thought you needed a FireWire device if you wanted to boot off of it
 
JStrike said:
I thought you needed a FireWire device if you wanted to boot off of it
Click to expand...

As I say, I have never tried - my notebook did allow booting of a USB CD Drive though. Worth a shot though. :)
 
This brings me to the next question:
Any decent free partition proggies? If I wanna try the USB device, I will have to rework it a bit (most of my documents etc are on there)
 
LandyMan said:
This brings me to the next question:
Any decent free partition proggies? If I wanna try the USB device, I will have to rework it a bit (most of my documents etc are on there)
Click to expand...

If space permits, format the HDD partition you were going to use for Linux, copy the files over to there , use Linux to partition the USB drive, use one partition for linux, and copy the files back to the second partitoin on USB.

Far safer than using a partitioner (IMHO)
 
for dual boot I would recommend Boot Magic, great app!
 
Tip: Before installing, use Windows Disk Management and delete the 25gig partition, then install Linux in the unused space. The whole installation will be easier, and Windows will be safe.
 
Moederloos said:
If space permits, format the HDD partition you were going to use for Linux, copy the files over to there , use Linux to partition the USB drive, use one partition for linux, and copy the files back to the second partitoin on USB.

Far safer than using a partitioner (IMHO)
Click to expand...
That is basically what I had in mind. Will first have to check if I will be able to boot off the USB drive.
 
Can't see anywhere how to boot from the USB drive, but at least I am posting this from UBUNTU :) Obviously need to finetune quite a few things, like wireless networking, Messengers, etc. but I'll get there.

Thanks for the help guys!
 
LandyMan said:
Can't see anywhere how to boot from the USB drive, but at least I am posting this from UBUNTU :) Obviously need to finetune quite a few things, like wireless networking, Messengers, etc. but I'll get there.

Thanks for the help guys!
Click to expand...

I digged Ubuntu - worked well, easy to install etc. I do however user Red Hat Enterprise, simply because it is the Enterprise version and I use it for Apache web sites and email. I seem to remember Ubuntu came with Firefox and Thunderbird ready to roll?
 
Yeah, Firefox is there, and I would imagine Thunderbird as well (haven't checked yet). I am running redhat at home on the home PC, but wanted to try ubuntu, as it is 'plug-&-play' so to speak, and my Redhat is way outdated. Problem is though that software like Y! Messenger is not readily available for Ubuntu, unless someone has a few links?

Another thing: Where would I find my C:\ drive while in Ubuntu. I recall mounting it from way back when?
 
Forgot about this thread.
Ubuntu and XP running smoothly ... busy doing the Outlook Migration.
I must say, Ubuntu is making life with linux on a notebook much easier than ever before (struggled my butt of with redhat way back when). Everything is working:
Intellimouse
Wireless
USB external drive

All was 'plug-and-play' with the Wireless needing 3 extra commands, nothing to it
 
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