DualBooting - Install windows 7 after xubuntu

[ihelpyou59]

Hello All, Im considering installing windows 7 in addition to xubuntu. I already have on my pc laptopxubuntu 12.04 lts. just want to be able to use win for select apps that don't run well, if at all under wine/virtual box. Are there some fairly simple, straight forward steps I can take for pre and post install so that all is working right when done?


Tai

[sikander3786]

You didn't provide many details about your partitioning setup so I guess you are able to handle those yourself. Just make sure you install Windows to a primary partition. It won't boot off a logical one.

And once Windows is installed, for setting up dual boot, you will need a Linux, preferably Ubuntu, live CD/USB. Boot Linux from that live medium and follow this:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

Just use "Recommended repair" button and you'll be dual-booting.

[ihelpyou59]

The partitioning setup, it's just the default setup that was created when I had installed xubuntu.

[sikander3786]

Please post the output of this command for letting us take a look at your partitions:

sudo fdisk -l

[ihelpyou59]

here is the output from "sudo fdisk -l"

tai@Waldo:~$ sudo fdisk -l
[sudo] password for tai:

Disk /dev/sda: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000aebe3

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 2048 480014335 240006144 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 480016382 488396799 4190209 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 480016384 488396799 4190208 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Disk /dev/sdb: 31.2 GB, 31221153792 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 3795 cylinders, total 60978816 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1

[ihelpyou59]

sorry about repost....didn't realize i didn't copy all txt

Disk /dev/sda: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000aebe3

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 2048 480014335 240006144 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 480016382 488396799 4190209 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 480016384 488396799 4190208 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Disk /dev/sdb: 31.2 GB, 31221153792 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 3795 cylinders, total 60978816 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 2 60978815 30489407 b W95 FAT32

[sikander3786]

Oops, doesn't sound great. Please post the output of this one also:

sudo parted -l

I should have already requested this one also.

[ihelpyou59]

Model: ATA Hitachi HTS54252 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 250GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 1049kB 246GB 246GB primary ext4 boot
2 246GB 250GB 4291MB extended
5 246GB 250GB 4291MB logical linux-swap(v1)


Model: USB Flash Memory (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 31.2GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 1024B 31.2GB 31.2GB primary fat32

[ihelpyou59]

ok, sorry if something may seem off here.....I currently have a 32GB flash drive connected to the machine in question.

[sikander3786]

In the current setup, it looks quite difficult to install Windows. You'll need to shrink your Ubuntu partition as there doesn't seem to be any other choice. If it isn't an old install, and you feel easy setting it up again, I would prefer a re-install of Xubuntu also.

I will try to guide you through it. Before that, it would be better to decide if you want to shrink your Ubuntu partition or you want to start fresh?