I bought a laptop with...what else....vista on it. I used the M$ shrink tool to free up space for Ubuntu (even though it wouldn't allow me to shrink it as much as I'd have liked).

I booted an Ubuntu 8.10 live DVD and get ready to install following this site's tutorial:

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vi...rst.htm?page=3

The tutorial says to choose - "Guided - use the largest continuous free space"

This gives me this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/...45575a.jpg?v=0

Does this look right? It's not seeing the free space I've freed up. And I certainly don't want to wipe out vista.

I need to leave vista on one partition as my wife will use it, and of course, I received no DVD from Best Buy when I bought the laptop.

Thanks.

Tomlin

I wouldn't do that. I think you should use the partition that is approx the size that you freed up.

BTW, your pic doesn't work

you could resize your partition using GPARTED. I like that tool. what is your hard drive size? if it is new it probably has a 120 GB disk minimum. Vista needs about 20 GB to run + whatever extra programs you might want to add.

I fixed the pic. Check it out.

Mmmmm - doesn't look right to me either. I always use the "alternate" CD so I can do it manually - seeing as you have that option, I might be inclined to do that. Don't know what you'll get with that GUI though.
That tutorial should work o.k. - I used it back around Gutsy/Hardy timeframe.

Alternate CD?

Sorry - I meant "seeing as how you have a manual (configuration) option, try that".
The "alternate CD" reference was just how I do it because the normal CD didn't used to give you the option to manage the partitioning yourself.

I get the same scenario with manual:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/...757c44.jpg?v=0

This DVD is from Linux Magazine. What are the odds there's something wrong with it? It's not an "official" Canonical release.

Thanks for your help.

Tomlin

Maybe - I've had problems (years ago) with a mag offering. But I've also used them successfully since.
Pull down the CD and try that.

Hi,
Don't use the 'Guided' option. The images you have posted show it will wipe the whole drive. Choose the 'Manual' option and choose the free space (one showing 43%). Mostly it will be /dev/sda4. If you are using Dell (with media centre facility) /dev/sda1 and /dev/sda3 are used by Dell. /dev/sda2 is you Vista (53%).

Better still, if you are comfortable partitioning use GParted as ceantuco suggested. It does a nice job.

Well sometimes the CDs accompanying magazines give trouble but not necessarily so in your case, I guess.

After you click the "manual" option, click "forward" so you can get the next screen where it should show you your partitions. Then you should be able to install to the free space. If you still have problems, how about opening a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and please post the output of:
That way we can get a better idea of how your partitions are currently set up.

Thanks for all your help guys.

I'm away from home for a couple of days without the PC. I'll give it a go again when I return.

Tomlin