Problem - Can't install Ubuntu 12.04.2 on laptop

[barrybear]

Hello all, I'm using a Sony Vaio T11113 laptop which has preinstalled Windows 7 Home Premium x64 bit. I'm not sure about whether it has RAID and all that as I only see two options in BIOS > Advanced that are Intel Virtualization Technology and Intel Safety.

I'm planning to do a dual boot, but whenever installing Ubuntu through a USB drive, after stating I do not want to connect to the WiFi, it automatically jumps to choosing harddisk for installation. But there's only a blank space with no information whatsoever about the hard disk.

[dino99]

you can choose the manual install (aka "something else" option) http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2112995&p=12495221#post12495221

[barrybear]

you can choose the manual install (aka "something else" option) http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2112995&p=12495221#post12495221

Will it be okay to have another 3 partitions? There's already two/three partitions for Windows..

[barrybear]

I've tried the link above to manually create my own partition but it is not working! :( there's still no partition being shown at the installation page

[oldfred]

Most Windows 7 systems use all four primary partitions. You have to convert one primary partition to an extended partition which then is a container for as many logical partitions as you want.

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.

While on HP, it really is the same for all Windows 7 systems.
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/