Installing Linux for the very first time :)

blairw · 4 Mar 2007 at 22:06

Hi there, I've decided after looking through numerous threads on here that I would like to dual boot linux.

I am currently running windows home premium, but I start uni in october, computer science, and i wish to try and move towards the network side of things

So anyway on my desktop is sitting a nice iso of ubuntu, ready to be burnt to a disk!

I have looked through the thread about installing after windows, but im worried about any possible changes having vista has brought.

My computer is setup with one nice 250 gb partition after a dreadful vista installl (messed up totally).

Basicically im looking for some advice on what to expect, and how to proceed with instalation

Thanks, Blair

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 16:03

I'm currently on the live cd atm, with the option to install which i may well do, this seems quite cool, and very fast for running of the cd - at least if i have any questions while installing i can ask

The main thing i want to ask is if i can access my windows files while on ubuntu? All my media is on my windows partition

Thanks

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 16:11

Ok im at the installation setup

I am being asked to Prepare Disk Space, which has scanned my current hard drive situation. Bareing in mind i have one hard drive, which comes out 230 GB formatted, and has windows installed which option do i take?

- Resize SCSI1 (0,0,0), partition #1 (sda) and use freed Space
- Erase entire disk SCSI1 (0,0,0)
- manually edit partition table

Im taking a wild guess that it is option one, what size of the disk should i be looking to make free - its at 72%, which i think is how much i have free space on my windows partition the now, so i should reduce this to around the 30 gb mark for linux?

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 16:22

haha this is where im getting nervous

got a lot of media and such, as well as some files on my windows partition, may be time to back up some stuff to dvd i think

I plan on playing about with the live cd a bit more - possibly get a cheap laptop for linux use aswell

Also, any info on how to access my windows files on ubuntu? I cant seem them in my computer sections - which i was expecting

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 16:47

I've just stuck in a gig hard drive to install linux too, leaving the other 250 for windows

Ill be back in a minute to ask for help im sure

Thanks so far!

Ok, ive got the installer running and its giving me the option of my two hard drives - ive selected the 40 gig one - and i have the option to erase the entire disk (which i guess will setup the relevant partitions on my 40 gig hard drive for the linux install) or to manually partion this hard drive ?

Remember i am a first time user and i just want a useable system along side windows.

What shall i do

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 16:54

Sorry ment 40 gig

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 16:57

So im to manually edit the partition? Or select erase entire disk?

Oh sorry, im to select erase

Just about to do it

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 17:03

Its doing it automatically as we speak

Im really liking how i can continue using the system as i install - live CD is a great idea and makes installing much easier!

Thanks for all your help guys, im sure ill be back with more questions and worried in a few minutes

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 17:35

Sorted guys! Now i just have to try and explain to the parents why they need to actually select vista to load - or else im going to be called in to the computer all the time to do it for them

Thanks again for your help, just updating atm, let the learning begin!

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 17:56

That sounds good, any insight on how to do it?

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 18:38

Your a star mate! I'll get working on that once ive finnished some of the other stuff im setting up at the moment.
I have access to my windows partition now using your advice, thanks again for that.

Cheers

blairw · 5 Mar 2007 at 22:22

So far so good on the linux install

Ive ran into a wee bit of a problem with the way i am accessing my windows partion, basically every time i reboot i need to re set up the folder, I think it was gareth that sugested a different way that would stop this, but im a bit stuck

Any chance of some clear steps mate?

Cheers

blairw · 6 Mar 2007 at 16:13

Ok guys just a small problem - i edited my xorg.conf file to allow the use of my other mouse buttons - now the desktop envirnoment wont load and i only get command line.

I made a backup at the time using these instructions

Activate side-mouse-buttons in FireFox

Just add two lines to xorg.conf will activate side-mouse-buttons in FireFox. This should work with most 5-button mouse. Here is a list of mice that worked with this instruction.

Backup X.org configuration file

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak

Modify the X.org configuration file

gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Find the Input Device section for your mouse and add two lines as shown below. You may also increase the number of buttons if your mouse has more than 7, just fix the rest of the section based upon the number of buttons (remember back/forward, wheel click & tilt left/right all count as buttons)

Ok so i have a back up at /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak, would typing this in fix the problem and restore the back up?

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak /etc/X11/xorg.conf

?

I see this as superuser copy the back up to the original file?

Any tips?

blairw · 6 Mar 2007 at 16:35

Thanks mate, sorted

Finally managed to work something out myself, still needed some reassurance tho

Good to get back into ubuntu, vista has been driving me mad

blairw · 6 Mar 2007 at 16:48

I also got my windows partition mounted to access the files, thanks for the link billy.
Now that ive got a system that is running well and meeting my needs basically, i think its time to tinker about abit more

Am i right in saying that this;

http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/spaces.html

is entirely possible with berly installed?

Great New Feature..

Infact on my basic ubuntu install i have managed worktops that i am finding great to use