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Help with linux (installing now)
me ^ | today | me

Posted on 03/04/2007 7:56:51 AM PST by Rodney King

OK, sorry for vanity. I have been posting on a few threads about help with linux and have gotten great advice. Here is where I am, on my older laptop which was XP, I have run Ubuntu off of the CD. Looks cool, OK, I am ready to go forth and intall it on the hard drive.

Of course, no matter how hard linux people claim to be consumer friendly, they all have crap web pages, etc. because they feel the need to prove how smart/superior they are. So, I could use some advice:

I want to do the whole partition bit, so I still have the old XP availalbe. This is not wholly neccessary though. I guess, am I creating the partition myself? Or when I do through the whole install bit will linux set that up for me? When I partition, how much should be partitioned for linux and how much for XP? Assume that XP will just be maintenace mode, and I wont be expanding what it on there. Should I defrag my drive before I do anything? 2. People have been talking about something called Wine, which runs MS stuff. What is that and how do I get it?

I am running Ubuntu. Everyone had a different reccomendation what to run, and I went with this one because it was a major name with ongoing support and it was totally free (unlike, for example, Xandros).


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: callmemrtactful; cantwejustbefriends; dorksaddingkeywords; fartinginthehottub; linux; n00b; notloggedin; sharpasabowlingball; socialskillsneedwork; soundofcrickets
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Thanks so much. I am trying to prepare myself for two years down the road when my newer laptop is not so new. I refuse to switch to vista. And please don't suggest I get a Mac, I'm not... well, never mind.
1 posted on 03/04/2007 7:56:53 AM PST by Rodney King
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To: Rodney King; ShadowAce; N3WBI3
Of course, no matter how hard linux people claim to be consumer friendly, they all have crap web pages, etc. because they feel the need to prove how smart/superior they are

Hey, that's a great way to ask for help.

2 posted on 03/04/2007 8:06:43 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Rodney King

The word is "howto" and there are hundreds of them...


3 posted on 03/04/2007 8:10:20 AM PST by xcamel (Press to Test, Release to Detonate)
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To: martin_fierro

Sorry, I didn't mean linux people, I meant linux distro developers. For example, the ubuntu notes on creating partition don't say

"if you want to keep your existing mircosoft, here's what to do"

Instead its various stuff about "create your partitions" and bs sure to have one for swapping or something.

Ok guys, you've lost me, as well as the teeming masses that you want to convert to linux.


4 posted on 03/04/2007 8:12:00 AM PST by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along.)
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To: Rodney King
"...because they feel the need to prove how smart/superior they are."

Too funny!

Doncha know that to install programs you just gorp the frelbis and then krelb the drubie with spelks?! It's easy!
5 posted on 03/04/2007 8:17:29 AM PST by rockrr (Never argue with a man who buys ammo in bulk...)
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To: Rodney King
People have been talking about something called Wine, which runs MS stuff. What is that and how do I get it?

You should find sufficient advice from others here on the partitioning bit but as far as Wine is concerned, allow me to interject one tid-bit.

Once you are set up with Linux, go here:

CrossOver Linux from Coed Weavers

Read all about it then buy it. It is not expensive but is sooo much better than trying to wrangle Wine. It uses Wine as its base but has been done over with a beautiful interface that makes using Wine a breeze.

6 posted on 03/04/2007 8:41:54 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts (Don't question faith. Don't answer lies.)
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To: Rodney King

My husband loves linux and just recently installed this particular brand of it, IIRC--let me see if he's got any tips for you. Might be a few minutes, he's eating breakfast and watching the Sunday morning financial shows! :-)


7 posted on 03/04/2007 8:42:49 AM PST by pillut48 (CJ in TX (Bible Thumper and Proud!))
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To: Rodney King
Sorry. the Site is by a company calle "Code Weavers".

Ahem...."Coed Weavers" would be something entirely...er...different. Wouldn't it?

BTW...do some searches for assistance on setting up a "dual boot" Linux install. Many help sites available on doing the Windows/Linux thing. You'll have to set up a thing called the GRUB loader.

8 posted on 03/04/2007 8:44:42 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts (Don't question faith. Don't answer lies.)
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To: Rodney King
I installed Ubuntu on a Win XP PC yesterday. I booted with the CD and then clicked install from the desktop. I have dual 40 gig disks in this machine so I just chose the secondary disk as the Ubuntu partitition. I allowed Ubuntu to auto partition it. The rest was just a matter of answering a few questions. I installed Automatix and used that to install the Nvidia drivers. So far so good.
When I boot I get a menu (GRUB) that allow me to choose the OS to boot.
9 posted on 03/04/2007 8:49:44 AM PST by razzle9251
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To: Rodney King

I allowed Fedora to auto-partition, and most programs have a similar function as well. Dual partitioning ususally is automatic once you chose that option; I made my Windows partition as small as possible. Honestly, after I installed Linux, I didn't really use my Windows partition except to play some legacy games.

This last install, I simply made sure I had "Open Office" and then I wiped XP out completely...


10 posted on 03/04/2007 9:02:27 AM PST by dandelion
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To: Rodney King

Okay, I have my husband nearby and I'm asking questions. He says Fedora Core 6 is much better but you have to do a lot yourself--Ubuntu is okay if you aren't well versed in linux.

He says Ubuntu will do the partioning for you, changing the boot record, etc. Yes, do degrag the Windows drive before installing Ubuntu. He says you can find Wine at winehq.org.

He also says once you install the Ubuntu, if you have further questions, email me privately and we'll try to help you if we can. :-)

(Why do I feel like the "Ghost Whisperer" or "Medium", LOL? :-)


11 posted on 03/04/2007 9:35:15 AM PST by pillut48 (CJ in TX (Bible Thumper and Proud!))
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To: pillut48

Thank you so much!


12 posted on 03/04/2007 9:59:32 AM PST by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along.)
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts

great. thanks so much.


13 posted on 03/04/2007 10:00:03 AM PST by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along.)
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To: razzle9251

thanks.


14 posted on 03/04/2007 10:00:51 AM PST by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along.)
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts; Rodney King
CrossOver Linux from Coed Weavers

Also, VMware Server is free. You just have to DL it.

As far as your installation issue, I'm honestly not sure. I've never actually installed Linux on the same drive as Windows before. I tend to put it on it's own drive.

Let me do some searching for articles on how to do it. I know the information is out there.

15 posted on 03/04/2007 11:06:10 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Rodney King
Try this page.
16 posted on 03/04/2007 11:08:05 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Rodney King
From Softpedia:

Method 2: The hard way

1. Make sure your Windows partition is defragmented and backup any important data.

2. Boot from the Ubuntu Desktop CD, double click on the Install icon on the desktop and follow the normal installation instructions. When you arrive at the Partitioning screen, select the option that let's you resize IDE1 master, partition #1 (hda1) and use the free space.

Note: Remember that IDE1 master, partition #1 (hda1) represents the First partition on the First hard drive.

The partitioner will ask you how much space you wish to distribute to Linux partition, just enter the desired amount of space (I recommend around 5-6 GB). Continue with the installation.

3. After the installation is over, reboot the machine and you will be able to select from Windows or Ubuntu at boot time.

17 posted on 03/04/2007 11:11:33 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: ShadowAce
To go online with Ubuntu, you will need NDSWrapper to use your Wi-Fi Windows driver on Linux.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

18 posted on 03/04/2007 11:16:28 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: ShadowAce

thanks a lot for your help.


19 posted on 03/04/2007 11:19:55 AM PST by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along.)
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To: Rodney King
No problem. That's what the forums are for. :)

Let me know if/when you get it working.

20 posted on 03/04/2007 11:25:18 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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