I am a complete novice. Just built my first kit computer. Works great with Ubuntu EXCEPT I find that none of my printers have drivers available for Linux.

Want to also install Windows Xp (with which I am familiar) to operate printers and some other applications. Have read on forum and else where that I may install Win XP over Ubuntu, but I am unable to stop ubuntu from booting so that I may boot with Win XP. I did not create partition when I installed Umbuntu.

I realize you guys are very techno-savy and I appreciate your patience with someone who is not.

Would appreciate anyone telling me (in simple to a novice) terms, how to also boot Win Xp when I have Ubuntu installed.

I have read about reformating the hard disc, but that is too complicated for my ability.

Thank you for any help.

WoodWizard

in re your printer problems, it would help if you told us what priner(s) you use. The CUPS (common unix print system) that you installed with Ubuntu may have drivers. You just need to set up CUPS to use your printer(s).

Open a browser. In the URL field, enter this URL: http://localhost:631. That will get you into the CUPS management apps. Click on *Add Printer* and go through the steps.

For installing XP along with Ubuntu, you will have to repartition your hard drive to add a partition to install XP into. Use your Ubuntu instal cd as a liveCD. Use application gparted to repartiton your drive (the partition you have now must not be mounted when you try to repartition). Make a partition behind Ubuntu for your XP installation.

Then shutdown and restart with the XP installation cd in the drive. Install XP in the new partition.

NOTE: XP will write it's own bootloader to the MBR of the hard drive and you won't be able to boot Ubuntu. Search these boards for Linux/XP dual boot issues and how to re-instal grub to the MBR, and what edits to make to /boot/grub/menu.lst so that you can boot both Linux and XP.

Thank you Bigrigdriver:
I will study your instructions and attempt to correct the problem.
Thank you again for taking your time to reply.
WoodWizard

I would get gparted live, it will boot you to gparted and repartician the drive for you. Next I would get Super Grub it will write the grub for you. I believe you can get both at distrowatch/com. Bigriver has it correct you can only repartician a drive that is unmounted and the gparted iso will allow you to do that. When you run gparted Just right click on the partician and cut it into 2 parts. On the second partician make you a 10 gig / partician for root, Then a Swap about 1 gig Then the third partician should be /Home 10 gig or more. You will then be ready for linux.
You can then use Super grub to write a grun to boot both. It has loads of help screens to walk you through it. Hope this helps!