Ok I have been trying to dual-boot Ubuntu 7.10 and Windows XP. First I am new to linux and I know there are probably a few different ways to do this, so I am looking for the easiest way to dual-boot. I have read up on one way which involves using System RescueCD and resizing my Windows XP partition, which I have done. Then the directions tell me to boot Ubuntu and at the partition section of the install to manually configure it to:

/swap-1GB equal to my ram
/boot-50MB
/ -remaining available space for my Ubuntu

My current hard drive is:

/dev/sda1 fat16 62.72MB--not sure what this is
/dev/sda2 ntfs 23.44GB--my windows xp
unallocated 27.74GB
/dev/sda3 fat32 4.64GB--which I am guessing is xp recovery or backup.
unallocated 7.84MB

When I go start to install Ubuntu and create the /swap partition, automatically the rest of that unallocated space becomes "unusable." I figure this is because sda1, sda2, and sda3 are all primary then adding /swap partition leaves me with no more primaries to add. Is there a way I should be doing this using some of the partitions as extended or how does that all work? Sorry if this doesn't make sense, I tried to explain it the best I could. One last note, the sda2 partition which I think is my Windows XP recovery I would like to keep because I do not have the XP cd since dell doesn't ship backup media.

I hope this all made sense.
Thanks
Cory

There must be a way to back up the Recovery to cd, check your dell documentation/help.

Here's a visual guide to dual booting xp and Ubuntu: http://apcmag.com/6101/dualboot_windows_xp_and_ubuntu

The 4Gb recovery partition is basically an image of the factory installed software, accessible by pressing Fn+F11 at the Dell splash screen just after powering on the computer. My understanding is that it is, basically, a install of Norton Ghost (or something similar) configured to reload that image to the rest of the hard drive. I do not know what would happen to any linux partitions you have added if you used Image Restore. My guess is that those partitions would be overwritten and the original partitioning recreated if you used it. (I've never had an chance to test it that way.)

If your computer did not ship with a Windows reinstallation CD then you can have one shipped out to you by calling tech support (or contacting me through PM). Tech support would just need to verify the address the disks need to be shipped to, and the service tag of the system they are for (so we can send the version listed on your original order details). Sending those disks is at no cost to the customer.

The 67Mb partition (/dev/sda1) is most likely the Dell Diagnostics partition. If you have a copy of the Dell Resource (aka Drivers & Utilities) CD then you don't really need that partition as both the CD and the partition have the same diagnostics program for testing the Dell hardware. Whether you keep it or not is entirely up to you.

If you do not remove any of the existing three primary partitions you will need to create an extended partition (/dev/sda4) for the rest of the space on the drive. You can then create additional partitions inside that extended partition (/dev/sda5 and up) for any other partitions you want to use. It has been quite a while since I set up a linux system (I haven't messed with partitioning on mine at home in years) so I don't remember if /boot or swap can be used in an extended partition or not. I know any other partitions will not care.

If you have any questions about the Dell system itself, or getting the reinstallation CDs for it, I will be more than happy to answer them.

Larry
Dell Customer Advocate

I want to thank you guys. I have finally dual-booted XP and Ubuntu. I also requested the Windows XP cd from dell so hopefully I get that soon.