HELP ME!!!

Ok, so I guess I'm gonna try dual booting my Vista with Linux or Ubuntu or whatever it is. So, how do i do it and what do I need to know?

first you need to download a live CD version of linux. (or a usb. i recommend Manhattan OS but you need a usb)Then, once you have downloaded the file and unpacked it onto the cd or usb, insert the cd or usb into the computer and restart the computer. Enter the boot options (i can give you more specifics on this if i knew your computer brand) and select either usb or cd depending on what you choose. After that it should enter the install process. I can help you with any questions after that.

PC is:

HP Media Center 8100n

If I'm dual booting though, doesn't that mean partitioning the HDD or something? What about existing files/programs on the PC?

If you let the automated partition program of any modern linux install, you should be safe...

Yes you will need to partition the drive and the installer will help you do that. To enter Bios you need to press f10 when the computer first turns on. keep pressing it every second until the bios screen appearers. navigate through the menus until you reach the boot options and settings.

Click here for more in bios

click here for my recommended OS. You will need a blank DVD and a DVD writer/reader

also there are pc's that, when you press f12 on the starting splash screen, they allow you to select the boot device for that ocasion...

so is everyone in accordance with Leach's OS suggestion? Remember, it has to be easy enough to use for the whole family. Also, does it run smoother/faster than Vista?

I don't have anything against it! GL HF!

you install vista then ubuntu and then use grub boot loader vista will try a scan don't let it press esc when you start up to get boot menu from drives

well, Vista's already on it and my PC didn't come with a disk version of Vista. That doesn't effect anything does it?

no it should not you need at least 4gig free space for os an anothe 5gig swap to run it use the paritioner manualy

P.S you may want to use 20 gig for each and a master bios password so you can acess you windows from you linux

rrps you are incorrect. You only need the 1 disk, and it will partition automatically. And it should not effect vista. If when you start up the computer it does not list your options and it immediately boots into Manhattan OS let me know and i can help you fix it.

Ok, I'm gonna see how much i can get done tomorrow. I'm copying the files of my PC over to my external drive so that takes a while (approx a couple hours actually)

Wait! There is a way to install ubuntu without doing anything permanent to the harddrive!

Tecchy guys, why did you not suggest he look at a wubi install for first time?

http://wubi-installer.org/

Leach54 wrote:rrps you are incorrect. You only need the 1 disk, and it will partition automatically. And it should not effect vista. If when you start up the computer it does not list your options and it immediately boots into Manhattan OS let me know and i can help you fix it.

ok vista overides the disc auto start that is what i was meaning not 2 hdds that would be a waste.

Shemuel wrote:Wait! There is a way to install ubuntu without doing anything permanent to the harddrive!

Tecchy guys, why did you not suggest he look at a wubi install for first time?

http://wubi-installer.org/

shem i would not do that i would start with mint linux as it is the most windows like in looks but kicks standard ubuntus arse.

i don't care about looks, looks can be changed, I'm looking for something that runs better then windows

ManhattanOS sounds good, and besides... you use a mac already, so changing to a GNOME desktop shouldn't be a problem...

well, like i said, the others in my family will be using it mostly, but they can still use a Mac and Windows so I don't think a third OS is gonna hurt too much

In case they find confuse, install a system with KDE... It is similar to Windows, so...

And I once force my parents to use Ubuntu for 3 months because of a Virus on windows xD...

Ok, so Manhattan OS it is. And when I install it, it will give me the option to partition the drive and all that fun stuff?

Shemuel wrote:Wait! There is a way to install ubuntu without doing anything permanent to the harddrive!

Tecchy guys, why did you not suggest he look at a wubi install for first time?

http://wubi-installer.org/

I tried using that but it didnt work (probably because I installed it directly to my external drive). I think Ill try that again at some point when Im not being lazy, which should be in...forever

I guess so... At least all linux distros that I've tried had that...

yes, the installer should guide you through all of the partitioning and other stuff
\

when I burn the OS to a disk, do I burn what downloaded directly, or do I have to extract it or anything?

actually I'll be using Flash stick, but still, same question applies

nvm, i figured it out

yay! What OS

the manhattan one

LEACH CHECK YOUR PMs!!!!!

well, guess there's no Linux for me, it won't install. I can't even get the option to install

try ubuntu what do you mean won't install

to my knowledge ubuntu is linux. and i was trying to install manhattan but to no avail

ok, screw this, i'm trying this wubi thing

ok, not even wubi works. guess i'm stuck with vista

you are doing something wrong

Have ubuntu mail you a disk for there OS and try that. (free)

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vista_with_linux_vista_installed_first.htm?page=1
full guide

I dunno, I've followed every instruction I've been given. With Manhattan I download that link you gave me a couple pages ago. I extract the TAR.GZ file. Then I extract the ISO file. Then I either burn it on disk or flash stick. I shut off the computer with either the disk or flash stick in the PC. I turn the PC one and hit ESC to get into my boot options. There I choose either flash stick or DVD/CD. If I choose flash stick, I get the message "No bootable partition in table" and if I chose DVD/CD I get a black screen with a blinking underscore style cursor, then it boots into Windows Vista.

That's everything I've done. If I'm doing something wrong, then it's in that list.

thanks RRPS, I'll try that when I have some time

yes you are maunlay aplying iso download nero express burn and burn with that that is the problem

ope, just tried your method RRPS and that didn't work either. Just went and booted up as Vista

try pressing esc on start up (before os pre bios)

that's what I been doing. I tell it to boot from the DVD/CD drive and it just goes and boots up Vista

well, I can now say I have tried just about every combination of flash stick and DVD that I can think of. It's just not going to work. And like I said, Wubi didn't work either and that voids all of this confusion, you just run it like a normal app. So yeah, my PC just ain't gonn dual boot I guess.
I dunno if this makes any difference, but last year I had to reset the PC to factory defaults

well, I'm downloading Ubuntu now to see if that works

what mother board type

There, Ubuntu seems to be working

oh noes, I'm stuck on step 5/8. It says about no root something or other being defined. I dunno what it means!!!

oh wait, i think it's working now

well...now my PC is fucked up. I can't even boot into anything now. Somehow in installing Ubuntu, I managed to create like 10 small partitions, so I deleted them (I left the one that Vista was installed on) but now, when I boot the PC, all I get is a screen saying:

Error: no such partition
grub rescue>

I can type in commands after that but I has no idea what to do. It won't even let me do the system restore