New to Linux: Dual Booting

[Sethos]

Hey,

Sitting here in the early hours trying to kill some time.

I find a website containing some Linux information and a few links to various distros. I heard so much about Ubuntu i decide to download it and create a CD.

Currently I'm using Windows XP - Service Pack 3 but I'd really like to Dual Boot with Linux. I have Partition Magic 8 installed, ready to split up my main drive into

two, one for Windows and one for Ubuntu. But before i attempt anything, I'd like to know if this is as straight forward as i imagine it - Install Ubuntu on the new partition, i get a choice of OS every time i boot and nothing else or is there anything i need to take note of ?

Thanks (Y)

[Elv13]

You don't even need to use partition magic, Ubuntu include by default GParted, witch is much more powerful and the Ubuntu installer come with a partitioning tools too. Dont worry about dual booting, if it succeed to configure it correctly (on 95% of system configuration it will work by default), it will just work.

By the way, to install linux, you have to make 2 partition, a root partition (en etx3) and a swap partition (virtual memory) in "linux swap" format.

[Alex H]

When you install Ubuntu, it lets you partition with GParted, and it auto configures GRUB (A boot manager) for you. As the above poster said, you should create an EXT3 partition, and a SWAP partition of at least 1GB.

[Robgig1088]

As a sort of follow-up to Elv13, I would recommend you first play with the livecd. If you find that all your hardware works, then go about installing it. As mentioned, you need (at least) a root partition (the linux equivalent of c:) and a swap partition. These are done for you if you choose the "guided install" which will automatically resize the XP partition and create the necessary partitions for your install ( shown here ) . So no worries, everything you need is on that one cd ;)

[Sethos]

Just got back from trying the LiveCD and everything seemed to work perfectly.

So now i just choose to install Ubuntu on to the HDD from the Disc, select Guided Install and create the two partitions without it messing up my XP install.

Then i should be up and running?

[Robgig1088]

Yep, thats just about it! I would strongly urge you to learn the ins and outs of the operating system, though. It is rather intimidating at first but so very rewarding in the end. There is quite a bit that can be learned and it can greatly improve your linux experience, as well as your overall computer knowledge ;).

edit: oh, and one more thing: if you're running into problems, chances are, you aren't alone, and chances are, someone has found a solution. Google is your friend.

[Sethos]

Okay,

It's up and running, works like a dream. I had some problems during the install, the installation froze during the partitioning, so instead of a 100GB slice, it just mashed the frozen and the new installation together to a 200GB slice partition. Not a big deal, but gotta see if i can correct it.

But are there any Linux 101 guides i can sit down and read through or should i just learn as i go along here? I'm not planning on using it for very much, some web browsing, checking emails and generally playing around.

Thanks for all the help though (Y)

[kyro]

for what you are planning to do, i dont think you need to digg around for guides. it will do its stuff. or post/search here. :)

[Sethos]

Then i might as well go ahead and ask the question here.

I need to install Flash Player for Firefox, but i have no experience in using Terminal. I download the file and extract the "install_flash_player_9_linux" to my desktop and the guide is telling me to "In terminal, navigate to this directory" but how do i do this?

Thanks

[markwolfe Veteran]

Ubuntu?

Just browse to a site that uses Flash. It will prompt you to install. Click. Done. :)

[Robgig1088]

Ubuntu?

Just browse to a site that uses Flash. It will prompt you to install. Click. Done. :)

Yes indeed, but make sure you don't click the "click here to install flash player" in the youtube window. Instead, click the "install missing plugins" in the firefox toolbar that appears. This will allow the package manager to do it for you. Follow the series of "Next" buttons, enter your password, and you're done!

[kyro]

OR

[sysmin@Fedora8 Download]$ locate flashplayer.so
/usr/lib/firefox-2.0.0.12/plugins/libflashplayer.so
/usr/lib/firefox-2.0.0.13/plugins/libflashplayer.so
/usr/lib/firefox-2.0.0.8/plugins/libflashplayer.so
/usr/lib/flash-plugin/libflashplayer.so
/usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/libflashplayer.so
/usr/lib/mozilla/plugins-wrapped/libflashplayer.so
/usr/lib/mozilla/plugins-wrapped/nswrapper_32_32.libflashplayer.so
/usr/lib/opera/plugins/libflashplayer.so
[sysmin@Fedora8 Download]$ 

[sysmin@Fedora8 Download]$ su -
Password: 
cd[root@Fedora8 ~]# cd /root/Download/install_flash_player_9_linux
[root@Fedora8 install_flash_player_9_linux]# ./flashplayer-installer 

Copyright(C) 2002-2006 Adobe Macromedia Software LLC.  All rights reserved.

Adobe Flash Player 9 for Linux

Adobe Flash Player 9 will be installed on this machine.

You are running the Adobe Flash Player installer as the "root" user.
Adobe Flash Player 9 will be installed system-wide.

Support is available at http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/

To install Adobe Flash Player 9 now, press ENTER.

To cancel the installation at any time, press Control-C.



NOTE: Please exit any browsers you may have running.

Press ENTER to continue...



Please enter the installation path of the Mozilla, Netscape,
or Opera browser (i.e., /usr/lib/mozilla): /usr/lib/opera/

WARNING: An older version of the Adobe Flash Player has been detected in
		 /usr/lib/opera//plugins.
		 The installer will overwrite this existing binary.



----------- Install Action Summary -----------

Adobe Flash Player 9 will be installed in the following directory:

Browser installation directory = /usr/lib/opera/

Proceed with the installation? (y/n/q): y

Installation complete.


Perform another installation? (y/n): y

Please enter the installation path of the Mozilla, Netscape,
or Opera browser (i.e., /usr/lib/mozilla): /usr/lib/firefox-2.0.0.13/		

WARNING: An older version of the Adobe Flash Player has been detected in
		 /usr/lib/firefox-2.0.0.13//plugins.
		 The installer will overwrite this existing binary.



----------- Install Action Summary -----------

Adobe Flash Player 9 will be installed in the following directory:

Browser installation directory = /usr/lib/firefox-2.0.0.13/

Proceed with the installation? (y/n/q): y

Installation complete.


Perform another installation? (y/n): n


Please log out of this session and log in for the changes to take effect.


The Adobe Flash Player installation is complete.

[root@Fedora8 install_flash_player_9_linux]#

[Sethos]

This is turning out much easier than i had anticipated,

I was on YouTube clicking the link, didn't notice the Plugin Installer at the top.

My god, Linux is so much better than i had expected, everything seems to run so smooth, feels like a quality product you are using - Can't believe It's free :laugh:

Next time I'm doing PC Spring Cleaning, Windows is getting the kick. I rarely ever play games no more, only browse the net, check Emails and listen to Music, what's the point in using anything else then.

I just need to use it some more, to learn all the little 'techniques', specially this Terminal is gonna take some time - Even though most tasks can be done by other means?

Little side question, where can i get an easy overview of my Computer Specs - Like right clicking on "My Computer" in Windows?

Thanks for the help, all of you - Really appreciate it (Y)

[kyro]

nice to see you are pleased. there will be some quirks when you go through doing things but when you pass them it feels rewarding :) all major distros try to help user now to do things without terminal access. but it is needed at some step . nothing major :)

and everyone here are ready to help you :) Enjoy.

press ALT+ F2 and type gnome-system-monitor (it will auto complete,) you should see basic config of your sys.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

OR

...

OR

Just use apt.

It doesn't have to be so hard.

[Sethos]

Oh well, there's always gonna be 'problems' and new stuff to learn when you switch OS.

If anything goes wrong, Neowin is not many clicks away :p

The Gnome-System-Monitor was perfect, but i installed the 64Bit version of Ubuntu, shouldn't it be able to see all 4 GB of ram?

( Not that i effects my, really - Just something i noticed )

[markwolfe Veteran]

OR

Just use apt.

It doesn't have to be so hard.

:blink: Kyro's post almost scares me away, and I have used 100% Linux (no Windows) on my PC for over 5 years!

Even apt/synaptic is more work than just clicking the firefox plugin prompt. ;)

[Sethos]

Got another question here, why can't i use CTRL + ALT to make @, Brackets, dollar signs etc. ?

[markwolfe Veteran]

:unsure: Because you use SHIFT + 2 to make "@" on most keyboards. Not CTRL+ALT. :unsure:

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

:unsure: Because you use SHIFT + 2 to make "@" on most keyboards. Not CTRL+ALT. :unsure:

Since he's from Denmark he's presumably using the Danish keyboard layout, on which the @ is typed by using AltGr+2.

MichaelBL: Have you checked the language settings (under System) and made sure you're using the correct keyboard layout for your locale?

[markwolfe Veteran]

Note to self: get Danish keyboard. :p

[Sethos]

Yes, It's currently set it "Selected Layouts: Denmark".

I even tried changing the Keyboard Model settings, standard Generic and the Logitech G15 which i have, still the same.