[makada]

Ok, to tell the truth I was born and brought up with DOS and then Windows. Currently have a desktop with Windows XP SP2 on it. Today I thought I should try Linux and have downloaded Ubuntu 8.04LTS and burned the iso image to a cd. Tried the live cd and its not that bad.
So I want to install it on my hard drive.
I just have a few queries
1) My 80 gb hard disk is partitioned into 20 gb primary(C: ) and remaining is an extended partition which is partitioned into 20 gb logical drives.(D:,E:,F: ). Considering I can empty the e: or f: completely, how do I get ubuntu to install in this partition e: or f: ?

2)When I try to defragment the c:, I see lot of green blocks referring to unmovable files--how do I move these? Is defragmentation of all drives mandatory prior to installation of ubuntu?

3)Will Ubuntu recognize the files in my NTFS hard disk or does it only recognize its own file system which is....(I forgot it)?

4)I read somewhere that we have to partition the hard disk with systemrescue cd (www.sysresccd.org) before installing ubuntu...Is this true?

5) I think I have to reinstall all the drivers for my hardware..where do I find these for my Linux OS ? I dont see any specific drivers for linux in the cds that came along with the hardwares

Thanks in advance for all your patience and help

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by makada

1) My 80 gb hard disk is partitioned into 20 gb primary(C and remaining is an extended partition which is partitioned into 20 gb logical drives.(D:,E:,F. Considering I can empty the e: or f: completely, how do I get ubuntu to install in this partition e: or f: ?

I believe during the install process, you will have a chance to pick which partition to use for the Ubuntu installation. If you delete the extended partitions corresponding to Windows drives E: and/or F: completely, Ubuntu will recognize that free space and can install itself there. Are you interested in dual-booting Windows and Linux?

2)When I try to defragment the c:, I see lot of green blocks referring to unmovable files--how do I move these? Is defragmentation of all drives mandatory prior to installation of ubuntu?

Are you planning on dedicating the drive to Linux? If you will be leaving Windows in the C: drive partition, you can leave it alone. You won't need to defrag it or anything.

3)Will Ubuntu recognize the files in my NTFS hard disk or does it only recognize its own file system which is....(I forgot it)?

Yep.

4)I read somewhere that we have to partition the hard disk with systemrescue cd (www.sysresccd.org) before installing ubuntu...Is this true?

I don't think you will need to use a third party partitioning tool but others recommend using one frequently. I've installed Ubuntu on a laptop that had Windows XP previously installed. I was able to resize the NTFS partition, install Ubuntu, and configure a dual-boot setup all from within the Ubuntu installation process. That's just been my personal experience.

5) I think I have to reinstall all the drivers for my hard disk..where do I find these for my Linux OS ? I dont see any specific drivers for linux in the cds that came along with the hardwares

What kind of hard drive are you using? Linux should natively support IDE and SATA drives without need of additional drivers.

Peace...

[makada]

I am using an IDE hard disk.
Actually I wanted to ask whether I have to reinstall the drivers for all the hardwares that I have (eg: ethernet , graphics accelerator, webcam, sound card..etc) ?

Yes I want to have dual boot.

Also If I empty E: of all the files, do I need to delete this partition?..If yes , then How do I delete it?.. Should I just format it into FAT32 ?

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by makada

I am using an IDE hard disk.
Actually I wanted to ask whether I have to reinstall the drivers for all the hardwares that I have (eg: ethernet , graphics accelerator, webcam, sound card..etc) ?

You won't need any drivers for the hard drive but you might need proprietary drivers for some of your peripherals. When you tried the liveCD, which of your peripherals didn't work? You should boot the liveCD again and see what stuff does and doesn't work. That will give you an idea of what pieces of hardware you will possibly need special drivers for.

Also If I empty E: of all the files, do I need to delete this partition?..If yes , then How do I delete it?.. Should I just format it into FAT32 ?

Personally, I would delete the paritition (after backing up the files, obviously ) and you can do this from within Windows XP's disk management tool in the "Computer Management" control panel.

Before you actually start changing anything, give some others a chance to see this thread and supply their input. In the meantime, boot the liveCD and make note of what works on your system and what doesn't.

Peace...

[makada]

Thanks for the advice. I will keep looking at this thread over the weekend and the get to linux-ing my computer on monday