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moore887
June 29th, 2013, 01:06 PM
I'm having a problem trying to install ubuntu 13.04 alongside windows 7. I was able to go into disk management in windows 7 (HP desktop with original installation) and shrink a 100 gigs off the 500 gig drive). when I boot the 13.4 DVD it tells me that I don't have have any windows installation so I click on "do something else". I've tried to install ubuntu then onto something called /dev/sda4 ext4 and selecting /boot from some drop down menu but all im getting is no root file system is defined....please correct this from the partitioning menu. I'm wondering if there's an old windows installer thing that I used to use knocking around on the internet somewhere that would install inside windows. This is my bosses computer and he wants linux on it to keep his son from downloading viruses onto his windows partition. HELP PLEASE!!

oldfred
June 29th, 2013, 04:55 PM
Have you used all 4 primary partitions? If so you have to delete one and make a new extended partition. Then inside the extended partition you can have an unlimited number of logical partitions.
You need / (root) and swap as the minimum. Most desktops do not need the /boot, but we often suggest a separate /home or if dual booting a larger shared data NTFS partition for most data.

Good advice on how to handle all four primary partitions used. - srs5694
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1686440
Be sure to create recovery DVD(s) first. And a Windows repair CD.
HP tools partition discussion - similar for other vendor partitions:
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware/Hp-Tools-Partion/td-p/228360
For a complete blow-by-blow on dealing with HP's four partitions, see Full Circle Magazine, issue 41, page 36. - gordintoronto
http://fullcirclemagazine.org/
Shrinking a Windows 7 partition is best done in Windows. But do not create new partitions with Windows.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/resize-a-partition-for-free-in-windows-vista/
The Hedge show graphically how to delete & create partitions:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1713649


The vendor recovery DVDs are just an image of your drive as purchased. If you have housecleaned a lot of cruft normally included, run many updates with many reboots, and added software you may want a full back up.
Backup windows before install - post by Mark Phelps
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2137439&p=12611710#post12611710
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp
Another suggestion by srs5694
http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

Make your own Windows repairCD (not vendor recovery):
http://forums.techarena.in/guides-tutorials/1114725.htm
Windows users only - Silverlight
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/Create-a-system-repair-disc

Windows 7 repair USB, Also Vista if service pack installed
http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-repair-windows-7-from-usb-flash-drive-repair-without-installation-dvd-disc/
http://www.webupd8.org/2010/10/create-bootable-windows-7-usb-drive.html