lukeborley
January 21st, 2014, 05:31 PM
Hi, apologies if this is already covered elsewhere but I'm still very much a Ubuntu beginner and need all the help I can get. Basically, I moved to Ubuntu after my old XP desktop got a particularly egregious driver problem last year and have been using it ever since then; I've even moved to a new PC I bought deliberately without an OS figuring it was much better hardware for the money and Ubuntu is generally fine for all I want to do.
But, there are still a few things I used to be able to do in Windows XP that I haven't been able to in Ubuntu, even in WINE. Running certain games. Ripping hardcoded subtitles. The e-learning for my work website that insists you need to run IE. So, I figured it would be good to have XP (or possibly Windows 7 or 8) as a dual boot option alongside Ubuntu 13.10. I even have a spare, completely formatted 300GB SATA harddrive set aside for the purpose. But, I've had 13.10 installed for some time and am reluctant to have to wipe it and go through the tedious process of reinstalling all my utilities and Steam library and stuff if I can help it.
As it stands, when I've tried the Windows install disc it doesn't recognise the formatted second harddrive - presumably this is something to do with Ubuntu being installed already on the main drive. I've read that it's much easier to install Windows first and Ubuntu after, but as I say, I'd rather stick with my comfortable hoard of recent Ubuntu clutter if possible. I've started to think it might work if I open my computer case and temporarily disconnect the main harddrive (housing Ubuntu) so that only the secondary 300GB drive is connected and then try the Windows install on that. But from what I understand Windows would overwrite the boot sequence then and I'd have to reinstall Ubuntu anyway? Is that right? Sorry for the noobishness.
But, there are still a few things I used to be able to do in Windows XP that I haven't been able to in Ubuntu, even in WINE. Running certain games. Ripping hardcoded subtitles. The e-learning for my work website that insists you need to run IE. So, I figured it would be good to have XP (or possibly Windows 7 or 8) as a dual boot option alongside Ubuntu 13.10. I even have a spare, completely formatted 300GB SATA harddrive set aside for the purpose. But, I've had 13.10 installed for some time and am reluctant to have to wipe it and go through the tedious process of reinstalling all my utilities and Steam library and stuff if I can help it.
As it stands, when I've tried the Windows install disc it doesn't recognise the formatted second harddrive - presumably this is something to do with Ubuntu being installed already on the main drive. I've read that it's much easier to install Windows first and Ubuntu after, but as I say, I'd rather stick with my comfortable hoard of recent Ubuntu clutter if possible. I've started to think it might work if I open my computer case and temporarily disconnect the main harddrive (housing Ubuntu) so that only the secondary 300GB drive is connected and then try the Windows install on that. But from what I understand Windows would overwrite the boot sequence then and I'd have to reinstall Ubuntu anyway? Is that right? Sorry for the noobishness.