Currently running Linux Ubuntu, I've been contemplating dualbooting the Vista package I bought here with Linux -- but I don't know how.

The reason I wanted to do this, is because I've been running a program (World of Warcraft) under Wine, but I'm encountering problems with patching. Decided, if I could get vista on the same computer, I could download/update on that side, but play on linux side. I just have no clue what to do in any direction. (barely know how to run wine!)

Then again, I'm also thinking of not dualbooting, but I want to know if theres any way to save the data I currently have on the computer over to the new OS.. But again -- I have no clue how to delete and install a new OS.

Miriandra - I don't know enough of WoW to know how patching on Vista will allow you to play unencumbered on Linux. If you know it will work however, I'd appreciate some more detail on this. Furthermore, while I favor Linux over Windows, would there really be a reason to play WoW on Linux if you're going to install on Vista?


If you're working with Ubuntu 9.10 or newer, you're probably using Grub2, in which case you will want to look at this and this.

Maybe forget about installing Vista on the physical machine and try out Virtual Box or VMware with Windows on the board?

help.ubuntu.com
or
www.virtualbox.org

try to back up all your data's
and reinstall your ubuntu
create a partition for windows

and after installing ubuntu
boot up your computer to vista and select the ntfs partition
then install vista

i think to have a dual boot system
you need a two
LAN Card

aries2010

It is recommended that you make your windows install on the first partition or when grub tries to boot it you will have to hide partitions in order to boot windows. That is with grub one though. Not totally sure about grub2.

Dual booting Windows/Linux systems usually have the Windows installation done first as Windows doesn't know about dual booting. THEN you install Ubuntu which will handle the dual boot by installing Grub. I'd recommend you do the installs in this order as it "just works" Alternatively, you could run Vista under Virtualbox on an Ubuntu host. The lan connection is shared between Host and Virtual system(s)

Play bonny!

• get a LiveCD iso of Ubuntu(9.10 or later so you get grub2)
• burn it on a CD or copy it on an USB Stick with unetbootin
• Partition your hard disk to make space for Windows(GParted is your best bet here)*. Do not create any new partitions in the free space you created, leave it as it is so the Windows installer can have its way with it.
• Install Windows normally, having it use the free space you created previously. It should create two partitions, a small 100MB one and the main one.
• After Windows is working, boot from the LiveCD and reinstall grub2 from there(details on this may be googled easily)
• Enjoy your dual-boot system

Or, yes, install Windows in Virtualbox. But I'm not sure how it'll work, speed-wise, if you plan to use it for WoW.

*of course, you do *not* delete the ubuntu partitions here! Just reduce their size so there's free space on the disk.

+1 for installing Vista in VirtualBox.

• You'll be able to use Linux and Vista at the same time, no rebooting.
• No risk, no mesing with partitions.