Best Way To Install Linux

T0M0 · 1 Apr 2010 at 23:58

Hi,

Downloaded Ubuntu recently, and I really want to start using it.

Currently I have Windows 7 on my machine, and I am trying to determine the best way to install it?

- Buy a new, separate hard drive and install clean onto that?

- Use grub and partition my current hard drive?

- Use VMWare and run it as a virtual machine?

Not too familiar with the third option. Obviously, I would like to avoid buying a new hard drive if possible, but will do if necessary!

Cheers,
Tom

PermaBanned · 2 Apr 2010 at 00:09

Just defrag your hard drive as is then use GRUB. Boot into the LiveCD and use the installer in there.

gbradders123 · 2 Apr 2010 at 00:32

yup grub is the way to go, do as above, pretty hard to go wrong!

T0M0 · 2 Apr 2010 at 00:33

The issue I had before was my keyboard and mouse stopped working once I arrived at my Linux desktop.

It would work ok when logging in (typing in my password). Then as soon as I arrived at the desktop they would stop working?

gbradders123 · 2 Apr 2010 at 01:21

thats quite bizzare, what distro was that?

PermaBanned · 2 Apr 2010 at 02:01

Did you check the MD5sum before and after burning? That's often the cause of such problems.

T0M0 · 2 Apr 2010 at 12:03

It was 9.10

I think it's only the 32 bit version though.

How would I get the 64 bit version?

What is the MD5Sum?

Regards?

T0M0 · 2 Apr 2010 at 12:10

Just getting the 64 bit version now. Hopefully that will cure the problem.

PermaBanned · 2 Apr 2010 at 13:00

MD5sum is a 'function' that allows you to check if what you've got is the same as what your supposed to have, hence it's often called a checksum. If there were any problems in downloading or burning then the MD5 sum will not match the one on their site.

http://maketecheasier.com/how-to-check-md5-hash/2008/05/06

But yeah, not to long ago (with the same distro) i saw a person who's keyboard wouldn't work, but their mouse would. Turns out they were missing a tiny (4kb or something) file that caused the problem, and when they checked the MD5 it didn't match. There's a lesson to be learned - always check the MD5!

ChrisGreen1993 · 2 Apr 2010 at 13:13

I installed ubuntu as a virtual machine in virtualbox which works well. Also means i can easily switch between windows and ubuntu

wesley · 2 Apr 2010 at 13:26

i think wubi would be best for you as first timer as it will not touch your windows partition at all. any error, just uninstall ubuntu from add/remove

i am actually using ubuntu 9.10 via wubi on my windows 7 system. it's perfect

T0M0 · 2 Apr 2010 at 13:31

Thanks guys.

Checked the MD5 and all seems to be well.

I am now on my desktop with the keyboard and mouse working. Just installing the updates.

Can I ask though, do I need to install my graphics card drivers or anything onto this partition?

PermaBanned · 2 Apr 2010 at 16:24

T0M0 said:
Thanks guys.

Checked the MD5 and all seems to be well.

I am now on my desktop with the keyboard and mouse working. Just installing the updates.

Can I ask though, do I need to install my graphics card drivers or anything onto this partition?

You don't have to, but if you're going to be doing anything graphics intensive then it's a good idea. And you will want to install more software somewhere down the line. I'd say make it no smaller than 10GB and no larger than 60GB (depends on your overall HDD size) for a first timer.

T0M0 · 2 Apr 2010 at 16:40

Cheers mate.

I've installed it through Wubi on a 30GB installation.

My screen res though is at 1280 x 1024.

In Windows I have it running at 1400 x 900. Will I need to install my ATI drivers to get the monitor res better?

PermaBanned · 2 Apr 2010 at 16:41

I hate Wubi, it certainly shouldn't be considered as a permanent solution.

craptakular · 2 Apr 2010 at 16:45

I have two HDD, I unplug the other one when I am installing windows or linux. I like to have them totaly seperate so grub doesn't get messy.

T0M0 · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:17

Maybe I should have got another HDD?

Was trying to install an OS X theme onto it but I got the following error when trying to access the avant-window navigator

Warning: Screen isn't composited. Please fun compiz (-fusion) or another compositing manager.

Is this because my graphics drivers are not installed?

PermaBanned · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:54

No, you need Compiz Fusion. Comes pre installed on Mint which is another reason i think it's a far better distro (at the moment) for beginners.

http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-and-configure-compiz-fusion-in-ubuntu-9-10karmic.html

Before you go running off buying a new HDD why don't you tell us what size your current one is, and how much of it you are currently using? And yeah, i would install the graphics drivers. Look in the packages/software manager for a program called 'EnvyNG'. If there are drivers available that will find them, and tell you which ones are the best, not just the latest.

T0M0 · 2 Apr 2010 at 23:32

Hi mate,

I have a 500GB hard drive.

Currently using 80GB of it in Windows and gave Ubuntu 30GB. So nowhere near filling it.

I just suggested another hard drive to try and keep them separate but this wubi seems cool. I just need to understand how Linux works!

I will take a look now and let you know how I get on.

Cheers for the advice.

Tom

PermaBanned · 2 Apr 2010 at 23:39

In which case you may as well have used an 80GB partition for Linux on GRUB. Get a real taster for it.