Yes, the Linux partition should be partitioned as a ext3 journaling file "/"

You said " second internal hard disk. Do you have 2 internal hard drives?

I didn't format my internal Hard Drive.

You will be able to choose which operating system that you want to mount after the installation of Ubuntu is complete. Linux installs a bootloader called GRUB. Here is the full tutorial:
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/grub.html

When you boot up your computer you will see on the screen both operating systems and you will have the opportunity to choose which one you want to interact with. (by using the arrow keys)

Yes I have 2 internal hard drives or disks. One is C (80GB) that has windows on. The second is D (250GB) which has my Data and Files. Both are NTFS as I checked. I guess I will probably disconnect the second drive in any case. So that I can experiment with the one drive as much as I like and it wont matter if something goes wrong.

I am currently on Ubuntu from a DVD! I can't believe how easy it is. Many years ago I used to read magazines on linux and how hard it was to get computers access the internet with linux, or find drivers for cards. Everything seems to be working with the cd instantly. I bet Greek language is also supported. Off to experiment :).

It has to be formatted with one of the Linux filesystems, one of them is ext3. The installer of your distribution will do this for you.
No, Linux can handle NTFS whereas Windows cannot handle the Linux filesystems.
You can use FAT32 for this, but note that FAT32 can't handle file-permissions, every file is writeable from every OS from every user, do you want this? (no problem if you're the only one to use this computer).

Markus

You won't see "C" or "D" when you are using Linux. The easiest way to find information on drives/partitions with Linux is to use this command from a terminal: sudo fdisk -l(Lower case Letter L in the command)

Drives are numbered as 'sda' (first drive), 'sdb' (second drive). The first partition on the first drive would be sda1, the second partition on the second drive would be sdb2. If you open a terminal in Ubuntu (you can do this by holding down the Ctrl+Alt+t keys simultaneously) and run the command above you should see the output from the Linux naming convention. Windows partitions will be filesystem type ntfs. Ubuntu 12.10 default filesystem is ext4. Installing Ubuntu on a drive formatted with the ntfs filesystem is not a good idea and probably won't work.

You should run the fdisk command so you see which partition you have available so as not to overwrite the windows data you indicate you have on the second disk.

If you disconnect your windows system drive as a precaution during the install so you do not overwrite it, you will need to ensure you install the Ubuntu Grub bootloader to the mbr of the second disk, have that disk set to first boot priority and after the installation completes, boot the newly installed Ubuntu and run: sudo update-grub. Otherwise, you will not be able to boot windows as the bootloader will have no information on windows as it was not connected during the installation. You would obviously need to have your windows drive connected at this point.

O.k so what is what you want to achieve? are you planning on split the 80GB HD so the two Operating system ran from there? or are you trying to install Ubuntu in the secondary hard drive?.

Are you set in installing Ubuntu? The default graphical interface in Ubuntu is known as Unity and requires a good chunk of resources, as minimun you should have 1 GB of RAM and a decent video controller. If you have less than that let say you have 500MB of RAM I would suggest you to install Lubuntu instead, the L in Lubuntu stands for Light Weight, so the graphical interface uses less memory and stuff. In Gnu-Linux base operating systems you have the freedom to choose among different desktop managers (Graphical interfaces).

It is suggested to run a live session before installation just to make sure all your hardware is detected by the new Operating System.

If everything is detected then run Gparted and resize your partitions to make run for the new OS. The partition doesnt have to be formated at this time, because the installer will format it during installation.

After you have resized your partitions reboot back in Windows just to make sure everything still works and that you havent damaged anything so far.

During installation the installer program will ask you where do you want to install the new software then is your chance to navigate and point out the installer to that partition you created eralier.

If your intention is to install it on the secundary hard drive then dont create a partition in the 80GB hd, just point out the installer to the secondary hard drive during installation.

Good luck to you.

A word of advice: I don't think that you should resize your partitions with Gparted. I did that once and had to reinstall windows on my hard drive. Thankfully, my computer was a new computer so I didn't have much to loose. I would use your second hard drive to put linux on while you run windows from the 80GB hard drive. To go back and forth between the two you can use the boot menu that comes with your computer.(That's how I've dual booted my PC.) To avoid a mix up during the Linux install you can unplug the windows hard drive. All success!

I've never had a problem with gparted-live on cd or usb, in fact I'm in the process of resizing & moving partitions to make room in /.

But being that the OP has a data drive, I would use the windows disk management & resize (shrink from right) the data partition & install linux to the end of the drive.
If the data partition is extended partition you only shrink the logical & put linux in the unallocated space

Guys I already run Ubuntu from a live cd and it works. Sounds work, although I could not download flash player for youtube (probably because it cannot save and install stuff on the cd?). Everything looks with a good resolution as far as graphic card is concerned. The mouse pointer only trembles when I go over the panel on the left. I had a look around and could access the C drive (which is ntfs). Its name was 80GB on the panel on the left :D. I could also access the second drive (also ntfs) and its files. I could open images but could not open mp3.

The plan is not to install linux on the data drive. So either I partition the current C or sd1 !! :D Or I get a new bigger hd. Not sure yet.

My system is Amd Athlon xp 1.15Gz 2GB Ram. I so dislike the idea of installing a "lite linux", I want the real thing.. :D :D but if necessary I will... A few more tests with live cds Ubuntu and MATE linux and then I will decide which one to install.

You are all extremely helpful here! Thanks.

Is the 60Gigs unallocated space if not the live cd should have gparted on it so you can resize sda1
can you post output of

Light weight doest mean its not the real thing. Hoever resize your partition by moving the windows volume to the left allow 30 gb to unallocate space for ubuntu that will be good .
In the future you can aquire a larger hard drive. Remember to install codecs during installation if you are planing on playing mp3s and do youtube.
Good luck to you

just fdisk -l ?

It does not return anything.

Does Ctr-c work on linux?

Here is output of sudo fdisk -l:


ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ fdisk -l
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 82.0 GB, 81964302336 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 9964 cylinders, total 160086528 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: 0x14ac14ab

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 63 160071659 80035798+ 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT

Disk /dev/sdb: 203.9 GB, 203928109056 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24792 cylinders, total 398297088 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: 0x5655e2bd

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 63 398283479 199141708+ 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT

Open a terminal and type that commad there. If it doesnt work try sudo fdisk -l
To open a terminal press the alt key and type terminal on the search bar, click on the icon

I posted the output on my previous post :).


Funny how the windows controls (minimize-maximize-close) are on the left side of the windows!

Wonder if anyone can share some thoughts on choosing a distro that will
-be easy to install and to use (I am no programmer)
-look simple and stupid (I don't like fancy 3d desktops)
-be secure (thats the main reason I am switching to linux)
-be fast (old pc)
-give a taste of real linux and gradually open horizons to learn more on unix for novices
-have a friendly community for support

Expected functions to perform: online shopping, gmail, youtube, facebook.
Optional1: safer surfing (without fear for viruses).


It just dawned on me that Ubuntu looks very modern and heavy compared to my minimalistic XP configuration (classic view, no backgrounds etc).