[westonbyrne]

(I would like to appologize in advance, if this has already been answered)


I am running Windows XP home Basic. it has only been working in directory restore mode for about 6 months now, and i was so sick of having a descent pc just sitting there. I was going to try and just re-install XP, but Dell didnt give a restore disk like my previous pc (pac bell) had given. and the thing that really made me shy away from it was that, even if i did get windows somehow, i do not know what drivers to get, how to get them, and so forth.


I Have always liked the idea of linux, and i have heard nothing bad about it except the windows nerds saying "Windows is superior to Linux". so nothing specific as why they think windows is better.



I reciently got a Ubuntu disk in the mail, and have fooled around with the Live cd part (So far i love it). The only problem is, i want to fully install it and i dont exactly know how. I have an 80 gig HDD, and i have around 17 gigs of free space. i was considering getting my music and stuff off, and just reformating the entire HDD, but that would remove all the drivers, and i know nothing (as i previously said) about getting or selecting which ones.). so i want to run both, but partitioning a HDD is no easy feat for me. so thats why i am here.

I tried to partition and install in the live cd, but i didnt want to boughtch anything. so i need help. I was sure what type to set the partition and all that jazz. i want to be able to play my music and movies and stuff off the windows side (if that is farely easy).


Any suggestions, and help, would be much obliged. i could really use it. i havnt had a computer to myself ever, and i finally got my own, and i want to learn how to take care of it. so thanks in advance, and keep up the good work. You guys are awesome.


P.S. I guess i cant change the Thread name, and it is missleading. im not trying to partition with xp exclusively, i meant, i need help partitioning for the use of linux and windows. i guess Dual booting would have been better. lol

[RobLinux]

It is easy to access windows partitions.

The problem is your disk space, unless you can tidy up, and then shrink the file system from live CD with the graphical partitioner, you will be better to spend a little money installing a 2nd disk (check if you PC has SATA (small neat thin cables) or PATA (wide ribbon cables) before you do that. Then you could just let the installer, work on whole of new disk, taking the defaults. But before you do that, I'd make sure the new disk is the main boot system, and then once Ubuntu is running, ask here how to add an entry to boot Windows in GRUB if the Ubuntu installer didn't manage to do it. Some ppl have had issues, where GRUB got onto their XP disk, and I'd like for you to be able to remove the new disk, and still be able to boot XP, as well as remove the older disk, and boot linux.

[westonbyrne]

Thanks. I was looking into getting a new HDD when i was just stuck with my XP problems. but i didnt know how to get windows and the drivers on a blank HDD, let alone, a cheap way. So yeah. ill look into getting a new Hard drive. thanks.


But i would really love to get this pc up and running within a day. (probably to much to ask, huh.)

[RobLinux]

Buying a disk retail incl journey time - 1 hr
Fitting - 20 mins
Linux Install - 30 mins

Perfectly doable.

[westonbyrne]

thanks guys. i guess i will try that, i was just hoping to do it on my current drive. money thing, ya know

[foneguy9]

Hi, depending on the type of cable for the HDD that is used(as RobLinux mentioned above), you can get a fairly cheap 2nd HDD.
Like 750 Gig Seagate Internal HDD(SATA) for $160.00 + tax:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...&CJPID=2138476

Or if you don't like Seagate, this WD HDD (SATA, same size) for $149.00:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...AFC-C8Junction

Or this WD 500 GIG SATA drive for $99.00:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...AFC-C8Junction

Or Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb for $65.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...AFC-C8Junction

Or you could clean up your 80 GIG HDD, keep 60 GIG for your Win XP, give your Ubuntu's 3 Partitions @ 20 GIG, put the extra 'stuff' on an external drive like the one below, 250 GIG USB 2.0 external HDD for @ $45.00, after rebates:
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203447441

Or this Internal PATA drive Maxtor DiamondMax, 250 GIG for $70.00:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2384&CatId=525


I am trying to give you some options under $175.00. Hope that helps! And then we can continue with the Ubuntu Installation!!!!!

[westonbyrne]

so there really isnt a way can do this without getting another hdd? i mean, i am getting one. but i dont forsee it hapening for weeks. (btw, nice avatar foneguy. lol Supes rules)

I cant take the 16 gigs that my xp partition isnt using, make another partition out of it for linux?

[foneguy9]

Yes, you can use one HDD but....

You will need to partition it so that Ubuntu has enough HDD space to move, that is why I suggested 20 GIG, but you could probably go down to 15 GIG, partitioned into 3.

But... if Win XP is using that part of that space, 16 Gig that you mention, as a a swap file, you will really have less than 16 GIG and more like 13 to 14. Also, when you format the Ubuntu partition will be losing some space as well.

Also, as RobLinux mentions some of the following above as well....

So, if you REallY want to get it to work now, I would suggest a deletion of all non-essential(or not used) programs in Win XP. Storage of all non-essential data to an external source(if you have a broadband connection, maybe you can store some of it on Google and Yahoo?). Of course, this would include deleting duplicate music, movies, or things you just don't need anymore. Then do a Complete Defrag and Scandisk. Then check your Swap Drive settings for Win XP, then you can really see if you have enough space for Ubuntu. This just takes time tidying up, but helps out tremendously when you want to dual boot!

I have installed both dual boot and stand alone of Ubuntu 6.06 LTS and 7.04 without a hitch on a Laptop with XP and desktops. The only main issue with Linux is that 'special' program that only runs on Windoz so a dual boot is one way to make sure everything works for you and then you can take the COMPLETE plunge!!!!

Hope that helps...!

[foneguy9]

Oh, and by the way, can you post the Model number of the Dell system you have? This can help all of us out if there is any other issue to look out for when installing Linux on it.

As to the Avitar, I really look like that!!!

[westonbyrne]

Lol, avatar is awesome. and i guess i will see what i can get rid of. i just deleted some things and am back up to about 23 gigs. i went defrag and i analyized it, it said it didnt need to be. let me go check my dell model and see what else i can get rid of. and yeah, i would really like to get Linux on there asap.

Thanks.

[foneguy9]

Also, Scandisk Is REALLY important to complete if you haven't already done so!!!

[westonbyrne]

alright. i freed up some more space. i beleive i have about 25-25 gigs now. and my pc is a Dell Dimension DIM3000

when i was getting help for my XP problems, i think i was introdeuced to the scandisk thing. think you can walk me through that process? im defraging my pc in the other room as we speak.

[westonbyrne]

Ok, an update on my situation.....

I freed up some more space. i have between 26 and 27 gigs. I also defraged, and i system check (i think i did it right...i right clicked on /c and went to tools, and then did a disk check. i restarted, and it went through everything, and i returned to a blue screen. no big deal, i guess it checked everything, and it was ok, so it started up normal i guess, and thats why the blue screen appeared. my pc only works in directory restore mode (and safe mode, but i cant listen to music etc.) )

Then i popped in ubuntu. and i went to the partition thing in the accesories (i think) and i un mounted the 71 gig (forty-something used, 26 - something un used) and then it exited. i then re opened it, and resized it down to just a bit over what it already had used, and then i pressed apply.

Then it checked it, and then "run simulation" and whatnot. then an error occured.

My main goal is to be able to put linux on the pc, ASAP. so any help, would be very obliged. I really need it up and running within a few hours, but beggers cant be choosers.


Thanks guys!!!

[RobLinux]

Resizing is a bad idea, when you have likely disk errors. How can it move data properly, if you have bad blocks or a corrupt file system?

You really should get another disk, a cheap one is fine. Then at least you can copy files you need off it, before you start running DFT's etc.

[monckywrench]

Don't be afraid to go Very Cheap, like fifty bucks or even a scrounged drive. I'm not shy about asking for dead computers at local thrift stores, Salvation Army, etc. They are in business to sell them, and building good machines from junkers is good training.

As for the Dell restore disk, you could legally borrow/copy one of those for the same OS since your Dell has the license key on the case sticker. You are a licensed OEM user who has no install media. Wise are those who systematically collect the software for everything they own even if they don't expect to use it.

The drivers are EASY to find at the Dell support site, just type in your Service Tag number. Burn them all to CD before you start any reinstall.

http://support.dell.com/support/down...=us&l=en&s=gen

Back up all your stuff to CD or DVD first if it matters.

If you just want things up and running with a good suite of apps, I'd throw in a Knoppix CD and store minor stuff to a flash drive. Another useful trick for a live CD user is to store small files and your browser bookmarks by mailing them to your own webmail box. I've used the notebook I'm typing on for weeks this way.