Should I install linux?

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48 posts

Geek

#159055 22-Aug-2008 20:19

ok i had a look and this is what it was telling me: "MP-BIOS bug: 8254 timer not connected to IO-APIC. Try booting with no APIC option"

So I had a little fiddle and disabled the APIC. What is the APIC and how will disabling that affect my computer??

so finally I start installing it, and begin to get excited. Now however when it got to the partitioning part I got stuck (I guessing I am really showing my inexperience here, but you gotta learn some how I guess). I tried to partition it manually as I still want the dual boot option. However here is where my computing knowledge ends. I have no idea what to do now. It requires me to select a 'root' drive or something before I continue. Any pointers?

BTW, After quiting set up I was able to use Ubuntu - and to be honest, I don't know what all the fuss is about, the whole thing seems to set out pretty logically and easy to use - I managed to navigate round well enough.

astina6

46 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#159061 22-Aug-2008 21:00

To install a linux partition, there has to be a"space available" on your hard drive. I guess you probably haven't
partitioned your hard drive??!!

ONLY use a live cd just to see how linux goes, would be my first suggestion. Play around a day or 2, then make up your
mind. To partition a disk is not extremely difficult, although make a mistake, and you're in trouble. Two options are
buy/borrow Partition Magic, which is for Windows, and use that. This also has a "boot manager" which can enable you to choose which OS you want to use on startup. The other option is to use qtparted?(I think that's it) this is a linux programme which may
actually be on the livecd you downloaded.

Before you start everything make a back up of your Windows partition on to a disk.

When asked where to install /root partition and /home and /var etc use the same partition. I wouldn't suggest you
install on multi partitions. Not yet anyway. The /root partition is basically the same as C:\ directory on Windows.

So on your hard drive, AFTER, doing a partition, you will have your existing Windows, and a new blank partition. Don't worry
about formatting that new part, as installing linux onto a hard drive it formats for you.

Good luck.

Being using Linux(Debian) for nearly 6 years. And so much practical than Windows. But remember, we do live in
a "Windows World"!!

kwanghyuk

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#159144 23-Aug-2008 13:25

Personally, I would recommend to install linux on the virtual machine rather then wiping out your Windows - You might not want to use linux for your personal use;

Linux is a great operating system, but you will find hard to understand what's what... many of programs requires to run under 'Shall - command line' even though Ubuntu supports powerful GUI support (I've tried Ubuntu and it was a master piece of OS in Linux world!).

twophat

48 posts

Geek

#159543 25-Aug-2008 12:57

ok thanks guys - I'll have a play round in the next couple of days (and probably end up asking for more help haha)

twophat

48 posts

Geek

#160063 27-Aug-2008 09:20

Hi,

Ok for the last couple of days I was just trying Ubuntu out - seeing if I liked it or not (didn't take me long to decide that I did though). So I installed Ubuntu and began to use it. However...I still had some things that I needed to finish off and complete in XP and so I rebooted, choose to boot with XP and waited....and waited....and waited.....I reset the machine and then tried again to boot XP through safe mode. It started booting some of the things but stopped and just waited.

What have I done? Have I deleted a part of windows or something? Because the boot screen is obviously still registering that windows is still present.

BTW - how easy and great is adding programs! I don't have to do a thing!

astina6

46 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#160156 27-Aug-2008 14:22

Good to see you coming on board!

But how did you partition your hard drive????????

If you used Partition Magic(or similar) you probably would have made an emergency boot disk?!?! Use that.

Also when you reboot your computer are there 2 options available about which OS to use. WinXp & Ubuntu??

So you choose WinXp......it starts to load WinXp and then nothing happens???Is that right?? What about any error
that comes up on screen?

Can you see the Windows logo on load-up?
Can you boot into Ubuntu???

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

twophat

48 posts

Geek

#160275 27-Aug-2008 20:58

well my disk was already partitioned so I didn't do anything there - just used a guided partition when installing Ubuntu (following instructions from a friend - did I do this part wrong?)

Yeah I can boot into Ubuntu - works great. Can't boot into windows though, don't even get to the logo part.

GRUB (I think thats the name?) gives me a number Ubuntu options (generic memory test. etc.) including to boot XP. When you choose XP another similar screen comes up asking you to choose whether to boot Ubuntu or XP again - however neither of those options work. I have to boot Ubuntu from the previous screen.

astina6

46 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#160289 27-Aug-2008 21:49

OK, I think we see some light!!

Boot into Ubuntu.
edit /boot/grub/menu.lst using vim or nano

Define your winxp partition

*********
title       Windows Xp
root       (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader   +1
**********
save
exit

Reboot see what happens

twophat

48 posts

Geek

#160545 28-Aug-2008 20:54

thanks - but I don't suppose you could include some more detailed instructions - I have no idea how to do that...sorry!

astina6

46 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#160553 28-Aug-2008 21:11

Greetings
            What you have to do is go into Ubuntu.

2) You probably have to edit the grub configuration file.

This is /boot/grub/menu.lst.

Bring up a terminal su root enter password(you want be able to see it)

You will then be at a prompt with # type cd /boot/grub 'enter'
Use e text editor, either vim or nano.

3) nano menu.lst.

then add or check the following

title       Windows Xp
root       (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader   +1

save

then reboot Ubuntu.

OR

You could use the file manger in Ubuntu, allowing you just to click x 10
You want to edit the above file /boot/grub/menu.lst

twophat

48 posts

Geek

#160785 29-Aug-2008 18:24

Hi,

Yeah I've found the file and brought up a terminal - but then I get stuck (never used the terminal before). It won't accept my password.. have I not configured that yet or something?

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

manhinli

2483 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4

Trusted

#160786 29-Aug-2008 18:27

You need to become the "super user" or "root".

Most other Linux distributions allow you to set this, but if you have noticed, Ubuntu never asks you for one.

So instead of using "su" use "sudo" - which asks for the current user's password (yours)

Find me on Twitter!

I posted 1, 2 x 10^3 times!

twophat

48 posts

Geek

#161323 1-Sep-2008 16:48

ok I've tried and failed - I checked those values through Qgrubeditor and through looking at the file...

any other suggestions??

smurfy

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#162140 4-Sep-2008 15:19

twophat, you obviously prefer a GUI so let's try this:

1stly, let's check if Ubuntu can see your XP files - if you've accidentally wiped them in your "guided" partitioning there's not much point wasting time trying to boot them...

Open a terminal (Applications>Accessories>Terminal)
Type
sudo nautilus

This will open a file browser (think Windows Explorer) in "root" mode where you will be able to see and change anything you need to from a "windows-like" view. Click the "computer" icon on the toolbar. Hopefully you will see more than just your Ubuntu partition there. If there is a Windows partition there, you'll need it mounted to view it's contents. If it has a green light, it is already mounted, if not, right-click and select "mount volume". You can then double click to open and drill down into the Windows files.
If you can see your WINDOWS, Documents & Settings, Program Files etc than it's a matter of fixing Windows. If you can't then it's a matter of re-installing Windows.

Report back.

twophat

48 posts

Geek

#162567 5-Sep-2008 21:19

hi thanks for your reply,

yes, definately prefer the GUI style - easy for me understand I guess.

ok followed your instructions, it said that "Nautilus cannot handle computer: locations.".

However on the left side of this file explorer, contained inside one of the Media drives, is Windows, Documents & Settings etc.

So I know that it is still there....any idea where to from here?

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