Suggestion for the best way forward in installing Ubuntu

[Breeny]

I'd like to have a play with Ubuntu Server Edition.

Currently I have one HDD that I wish to use for Ubuntu and one HDD already formatted as NTFS that is full of data (data needs to be kept and also needs to be read/write from Ubuntu, data includes an installation of XP Pro, but once I've copied the data I need off, the hdd can be reformatted and paritioned as something more Ubuntu friendly.)

What would you suggest is the best way forward when installing? I'm a complete Ubuntu/Linux newbie as you can probably guess!

I've read that getting Ubuntu to read NTFS partitions is quite hard, plus I don't want to compromise the data that's already stored.

Many Thanks

 

[Whiskas]

Sticking the install CD in your CD drive and hitting Enter would be a good place to start....

 

[BillytheImpaler]

I've read that getting Ubuntu to read NTFS partitions is quite hard, plus I don't want to compromise the data that's already stored.

Last time I installed it it was about as hard as tying my shoes.

Boot the CD, select install, when it comes time to partition the drive set it to manual. From the disk that you want for Linux make an ext3 partition. Tell it to use that as /. Make another small one and use it as swap. A size equal to the amount of RAM you have is usually plenty.

You'd have to do the above no matter what. This is the tough part.

Select the NTFS partition. Tell it to use it as NTFS. Tell it to mount it at /media/windows.

When you reboot it'll be mounted and working.

 

[arigold]

Ubuntu has tried to make it easy as possible, cant really go wrong, unless you do it blind folded

 

[memyselfandi]

Tbh if you are completely new to Linux I'd be tempted to pull the data connection from the NTFS disk during the install to prevent accidents.

Plug it in and sort out access to it afterwardds.

 

[craptakular]

Tbh if you are completely new to Linux I'd be tempted to pull the data connection from the NTFS disk during the install to prevent accidents.

Plug it in and sort out access to it afterwardds.

I still do this after 3 years lol. It also avoids headaches with install GRUB on the right partition and generally stops Grub/windows boot loader mucking up!