Ubuntu Woes

Scythe

Scythe

Scythe

Soldato
Joined
23 Jun 2005
Posts
5,455
Hi, I'm downloading Ubuntu for the first time. This will be the first time I have installed Linux (well, planning to try live cd 1st). I have around 24gb left on my HDD. How would I go about shrinking it so i have 4 (or 5?) gb partitioned for Linux. How can I do this and the most important question, Is it safe to do?

PS: Also, if I want to remove it, can i just restore it so XP runs fine (bootloader etc.)
 
just reduce the size of the partition of your hard drive using a program like partitionmagic while running in windows. when it comes to installing linux you can select to create partitions in free space. this will allow you to have the possibility of dual booting.

this guide might help:

Ubuntu and WIndows XP Dual Boot Guide , though it is not the one i used to set up ubuntu. the sizes of the partitions in the guide seem fine though.

Yes you can easily remove the linux installation to carry on using windows.
 
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I just ran the Live CD and I love it! I have one problem though. I run my internet through a USB modem and couldnt find any setting to set it up, any idea?
 
when i first ran the live cd, ubuntu connected to the internet seamlessly through the ntl cable modem connected via usb. when i properly installed though, i had to use ethernet for the internet to work and connect. I think if you can find drivers for your modem you can use a program called CDCEther and connect through usb, but i couldnt find a solution for using the NTL ambit modem via usb.
 
Theres a package available through Synaptic to get USB Modems working.
Also, the Ubuntu Installer has a partitioner resizer/creator built in. As does the Live disk. :)
 
BoomAM said:
Theres a package available through Synaptic to get USB Modems working.
Also, the Ubuntu Installer has a partitioner resizer/creator built in. As does the Live disk. :)
Click to expand...
Any idea what it is called? I would try it if I knew its name.
 
I'm ready to install Ubuntu. But, I need to know if I will need to get drivers? I know there are nvidia drivers in packages, but what about mobo and the such? I need a quick answer please as I'm planning to install it tonight.
 
Most drivers are already compiled into the kernel you get with most of the big distros. If you have really modern hardware you might need to build your own kernel (I mean cutting edge). With ubuntu you should be fine.
 
Una is right. Drivers for the chipset, NIC, etc should already be compiled into the kernel. The graphics will work off-the-bat in VGA mode (just like XP) but you won't have 3D acceleration until you install the proprietary drivers.
 
I have dated hardware (socket A) and the latest stuff i have is USB mouse (razer copperhead; this worked and was recognised in live cd) and a AGP Nvidia 6800XT
 
You should be fine then. Once you've got it up and running I recommend using Synaptic to get an optimised kernel to replace the generic i386 kernel it'll install with. It's as easy as checking a few boxes and will then be able to use SSE, MMX, and 3dNow! in basic OS operations. :)
 
I recommend learning how to build your own kernel so you can remove all the crap you don't use, and make it custom for your hardware.. Thus decreasing its memory footprint. All these precompiled kernels come with loads of bloat/drivers you don't use.
 
Yeah but we're talking Ubuntu basic. Compiling your own kernel is something for a bit more experienced user. Think of that as part of the Intermediate knowledge area. :)

Good luck, Scythe. Let us know how it goes.
 
I tried to use gnome partition editor or something (cant remember full name) and it said Unable to resize /hda/001 or something like that and it didnt resize. Luckily it didn't nuke my XP, but it ran a chkdsk and it took a while to login, seemed slow. any ideas?
 
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