Proper way to install Ubuntu
 

I dual boot XP and Ubuntu. I downloaded Ubuntu directly instead of burning a CD and installing to a separate partition. As a result Ubuntu shows up as a program on the computer. The system appears to work fine, but i'd like to know if installing from a CD is better, and if so why.

Hi there,

You mean, using the Wubi installer? Or as a virtual machine under the control of XP?

Well, both Windows XP and Ubuntu are full-fledged operating systems. I guess that Ubuntu, once started from within XP, initializes as it would when it is booted natively. But still, that appears like some kind of abuse to me. Basically, Ubuntu is made for running exclusively as the only OS on a machine, and I would always prefer to have it that way.

However, there's probably no rock-solid reason for that.

[X] Doc CPU

From what you've described, it sounds like you've used the "Wubi" installer to install Ubuntu to a disk image file in your existing Windows filesystem. The only major disadvantage I can think of to this setup would be that disk I/O might be a little bit slower (e.g. opening programs/files for the first time since booting, etc.), but other than that, it shouldn't be all that different from a more "native" setup where it's installed to a dedicated disk/partition.

EDIT: I just got ninja'd by Doc CPU :p

I think when the OP says "it shows up as a program on the computer", he means that it shows up in the "Add/Remove Programs" list in the Windows Control Panel, which is the case if he installed Ubuntu via Wubi.

Hi there,

EDIT: I just got ninja'd by Doc CPU :p

hmm, "ninja'd"? Never heard or read that yet. Quite funny, though. :-)

[X] Doc CPU

Ahhh, forgetaboutit. What's a Wubi? I'm a Newbie, so have a little patience. It was a simple question. Sorry to muddy the water.

Hi there,

we do, don't worry.
Well, Wubi is the Ubuntu installer that can be started from within Windows - as opposed to the standard method, where you boot your PC from an Ubuntu live CD or install CD.

And it was a simple answer, don't be sorry about stirring up mud. It's just that your question lacked some detail information, probably due to your lack of experience. Nothing bad about that, but of course it provokes counter questions. Nobody's gonna blame you for not knowing all the details, however.

[X] Doc CPU

Well, thank you. I can see that I don't belong here, gentlemen. it's too bad. This is a fine operating system. But there are too many complications for the average man. I'd like to see a clean system like this become doiminate

Not that you dont belong at all. We're not some secret club that hides in the words and chants rituals all day long. Wubi is a fine way to experient and play with Linux, once you're comfortable with that, you can decide or not to work with installing it alongside windows as a dual boot.

Don't disparage yourself, or despair. Think back to when you first used a computer. Did you master everything in a single day? As you say, it's fine once you've started. As far as installing goes, naturally that will be a little complicated. Imagine you were installing Windows yourself and finding and installing equivalents of every program that came with Ubuntu! When computers were introduced into rural schools in South Africa, they had to be setup by teachers, some of whom had never used a computer before, but they coped with a little help over the telephone. You're lucky: you have Linux Questions. As for the "right way", that's the way that works for you.

But I'm a "by the numbers guy". There's a right way and a wrong way.The "wrong"
way may work, but it's not art. Thanks for your comments. This is fun. Reminds
me of the old days with DOS twenty years ago.

Wubi allows you to test the operating sytem & get a feel of it, it is not however the wrong way.
If you want a true dual-boot,
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...=0&FORM=LKVR34
You have to boot from cd or usb