Linux

[Ross1234]

Questions..

1) If I partition my drive to install linux will I lose the data I have on it currently ie: Vista.
2) Which Linux?
3) Should I install linux? Im just curious about it.

 

[.walls]

1) depends on how you do it. installers for the big distros will resize the windows partitions.
2) how long is a piece of string? probably try ubuntu or opensuse. both good for new users.
3) Try a live cd first.

 

[mohbana]

1) vista has partion resizer built-in, use it its very simple to use. Use this guide http://apcmag.com/5046/how_to_dual_boot_vista_with_linux_vista_installed_first
2) without even thinking twice i would say INSTALL UBUNTU
3) like above

 

[BillytheImpaler]

As above, really. Download the regular Desktop version of Ubuntu. It comes as a Live CD. This means that you boot the CD and are presented with a full desktop environment that's darn near exactly what you'd get if you installed it.

Are there any specific programs you're interested in running?

 

[badbob]

Installed on brothers laptop without a problem, had to set 1024x768, however still doesn't work on my desktop (ATI 1900XT) Set 1024x768 and also in safe graphics mode.

How do I adjust the default GRUB boot option- within Windows or Ubuntu

 

[brummie]

Installed on brothers laptop without a problem, had to set 1024x768, however still doesn't work on my desktop (ATI 1900XT) Set 1024x768 and also in safe graphics mode.

How do I adjust the default GRUB boot option- within Windows or Ubuntu

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

Change the 0 in the next bit to the one you want to boot from. Count down the list using 0 as the first one, Windows is usually 4.


# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0



Save and exit.


personally i use 'QGRUBEditor' but be careful if you try it.


Try this: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GrubHowto/ChangeDefaultOS

 

[badbob]

Figured out why having live boot problems, using DVI which causes blank screen, use VGA and it works. Even if I select a resolution supported by the monitor.

eh I've installed on the 120GB, but GRUB hasen't added boot options, it just goes straight into Windows!

 

[GarethDW]

Run the LiveCD again and once it's loaded run the following command from a shell:

sudo fdisk -l

This will display all your partitions. Paste it here so we can see how the laptop is configured.

Next, copy and paste the contents of menu.lst here as well, so we can see how that's configured too. As brummie suggested earlier, just do a:

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

 

[badbob]

Disk /dev/hda: 80.0 GB, 80026361856 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 9729 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x9a3f660f

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 * 1 9728 78140128+ 7 HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/sda: 320.0 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x05df05de

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 1 38913 312568641 7 HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/sdb: 122.9 GB, 122942324736 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14946 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xf703f703

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 13641 109571301 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb2 13642 14674 8297572+ 83 Linux
/dev/sdb3 14675 14946 2184840 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Disk /dev/sdc: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x7e7c7e7c

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdc1 * 1 30401 244196001 7 HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/sdd: 122.9 GB, 122942324736 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14946 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xf695f695

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System

Don't think it's installed GRUB to the right HD, on the GRUB installer I left it to HD0- I have no idea what HD0 is!- unless HD0 is the top one, so I need to enter HD3?

 

[brummie]

Hdo is the first HD and grub needs to go on it so long as the bios is set to boot from it

 

[badbob]

Hdo is the first HD and grub needs to go on it

Didn't work- just boots into Windows, I'm trying now HD3.

 

[brummie]

Well looking at the list it seems you have an IDE device in there and grub will put the data on that MBR. You then need to set the bios to boot from IDE and not sata.