I tried and fail to install ubuntu

[Kojak Peg]

Hi Everyone
I'm running a dual boot with windows xp and zorin. And want to install ubuntu over zorin. I thought I'd have to unistall zorin and use easybcd to remove the linux boot screen thing. However was told I could just install straight over zorin. So I put the ubuntu cd in my dvdrom. Restarted the computer pressed F12 and got the boot screen. Where it gave me options:

*boot for hard drive
*boot from dvdrom

*setting
*can't remember
*Intel something or other

So I chose the dvdrom, and heard it whirring away for awhile, but nothing happened. In the end, I had to take the cd out of the drive and turn the power off. Fully expecting big trouble when I switch the computer back on. Thankfully all seems well, but what did I do wrong

How am I supposed to properly install ubuntu over zorin

Thanks

[ibjsb4]

I just turn the Zorin partition into free space and then install Ubuntu. You could do this with the live CD, it has gparted built into it.

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/g...mozTocId309606

You box probably will not boot until Ubuntu is installed, so make sure you understand the install procedure.

[Kojak Peg]

Hi ibjsb4
I downloaded ubuntu and burnt it to a new dvd just in case, it was my copy that was bad. And it worked. However, when I clicked install it said I wasn't connected to the internet. Which I should have been, wirelessly at least. So I chickened out, just in case there was something wrong. Clicked back and clicked try ubuntu instead.

As for turning zorin into free space, I've only ever deleted a partition during a full format. So I'm a little hesitant to do it. If I did delete the partition, without a full format, I think I would have to do it in windows. And as I understand it, that would still leave the boot loader on. I've seen tutorials for easybcd that look start forward enough, but I was told in another thread that easybcd doesn't work in windows xp, which is what I'm using.

So Install ubuntu over zorin, would be me preferred choice, if it was possible. If not I would have to go into disk manager, in windows, delete the partition and then delete the grub. However, without easybcd I have no idea how to do that

So what is the best and easiest option,

Thanks


Thanks

[ibjsb4]

when I clicked install it said I wasn't connected to the internet.

You can install without the internet, but after you will probably need to install the proper driver to get internet working.

If I did delete the partition, without a full format, I think I would have to do it in windows. And as I understand it, that would still leave the boot loader on.

Thats fine, whatever you understand is best way to go. The boot loader will (should) be replaced with ubuntu boot loader (known as grub), so no worry there.

So Install ubuntu over zorin, would be me preferred choice

Try it. If you get the option to install over zorin then that will just make the process easier. If you do no, then just back out of the install and go to plan 'B'. Just remember, once zorin is removed by wiping the partition your box will not boot until ubuntu is installed and ubuntu boot loader (grub) takes over.

And my last thought is have a windows restore disk handy just in case everything goes south.

[oldfred]

If you are going to install over an existing partition, you have to use Something else or manual install.

Then choose the partition that is the current Zorin install. Click change, use as ext4, check format (erases everything in Zorin, so have your data backed up), and choose mount as / (root). if you have an existing /home you can mount it but DO NOT format it and if you have an existing swap it finds that. Let it install grub to the default of sda which is shown in a combo box at the bottom of the partitioning screen.

[Kojak Peg]

Thanks Guys

Hi Oldfred
So during install I should

1)choose "something else" or "manual install" option
2)choose the partition I want to write over i.e zorin
3)click change => use as ext4
4)click format
5)choose mount as /(root). However, swap is not found?
6)click format?
7)How do I find swap?
8)let it install grub to default sda
9)install complete?

Now I lost you on the next bit here

if you have an existing /home you can mount it but DO NOT format it and if you have an existing swap it finds that

This is how I read it please correct me

alternative 4) do not format
alternative 5)choose mount as /(home) =>swap is found. Do not format go straight to step 6
alternative 6)install grub to default sda
alternative 7)install complete?

2nd alternative 4)click format
2nd alternative 5)choose mount as /(home)=>swap is found. Do not format go straight to step 6
2nd alternative 6)install grub to default sda
2nd alternative 7)install complete?

Thanks

[oldfred]

I assumed you had swap with your current install. If not you should create one. If you have a fair amount of RAM or 4GB or more you do not need much, maybe 2GB. But if you hibernate then it needs to be the same as RAM in GiB not GB.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwapFaq



Many installs have a separate /home. That is to make it easier to reinstall as then your user settings & data are in a separate partition that you do not overwrite, but reuse. Backups still required.

Install process has not really changed, graphics are even only slightly different between versions.
Install with separate /home from aysiu
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installseparatehome
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Insta...0-160966.shtml

[Kojak Peg]

Thanks oldfred
The softpedia link is very helpful, because it's laid out, so even I can understand it, lol. I think I'll read over it, a few time, just to be sure. And since I'm a novice to intermediate. I'll definitely back my files up just in case. I am assuming that if everything goes pearshaped, I can simply reboot and do a full install. And everything will be okay

once I'm finally ready to take the plunge. I'll start a new thread, just so I'm absolutely clear on what to do. I'm sure it'll turnout to all make perfect sense, once I've done it. At least I hope it will, lol

Thanks again

p.s since I'm dual booting already windows xp =/dev/sda (ext4) and linux= /dev/sdb (ext4) and I'm assuming the swap =/dev/adc (linux-swap) if I have one.

or is it windows xp=/dev/sda1 (ext4) linux=/dev/sad2 (ext4) swap=dev/sad3 (linux swap)

[oldfred]

Windows has to be NTFS formatted, unless you have a really old XP that might be FAT32.
Ubuntu requires Linux formatted partitions and ext4 is the current standard.
You only have to have / (root) as ext4 & swap. But we often suggest separate /home.
We also often suggest another NTFS shared data partition. The Linux NTFS driver reads & writes NTFS, but Windows often does not like too much activity in its system partition. Also the NTFS driver exposes all the normally hidden files & folders in Windows which can lead to user error. In Windows I would always change it to see those hidden files & folders and then learned how to repair it after I broke it.

[Kojak Peg]

I've taken a look at it with Gparted and it makes a lot more sense now that I'd had a look at it.

My hard drive is split into three. the primary is /dev/sda1, which is the ntfs system file. Then there is the extended partition with the /dev/sda5 ext4 and the /dev/sda6 linux-swap in it

So I need to format the /dev/sda5 ext4 and install the new OS in that partition, but do I need to format the swap system file as well, or do I leave that alone

As for the /home partition now I know what it is. It sound like a very good idea. I used to do something similar years ago in dos windows. So I think I will add one, now, but I'll do that with Gparted before I install, because it look easier to change things around in Gparted.

As for the ntfs shared data partition and windows hidden files I will have to look into that as I know nothing about it. When I installed linux it was to get away from windows. I had know idea idea learn so much other stuff, lol, but it's a steep learning curve at the minute

Thanks again for all the help and advice