[SOLVED] Beginner in Ubuntu Linux

sportsfan_156 · 08-09-2012, 12:54 PM

Hello everyone, I will soon buy a desktop with two hard drives (compaq presario). One is about 100gb and the other is about 150gb. The desktop has Windows 7, 1.8Ghz speed, and 1.5 gb ram. I am hoping that I will be able to install ubuntu properly. My question is when I install it, Will I need to make a partition? If not, what happens? And how do I install it to a specific partition. I'm a beginner so any help would be appreciated.

**hal8000** · 08-09-2012, 01:45 PM

There's a lot of install documentation wrote by Ubuntu Community, easiest guide is
the graphical install:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall

Yes you do need to install Ubuntu on separate partitions for best performance.
If not then you have the option of a Wubi install.

The community guide install index is below:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation

sportsfan_156 · 08-09-2012, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the guides provided. They have helped me. One small question though, how much hard drive space would you recommend? So then I will know if I am using too much space or too little space.

**SteveThePirate** · 08-09-2012, 08:01 PM

Hi Sportsfan!

If you are planning on using the Ubuntu installation quite regularly and using it for documents and files then you need as much space as you like with the minimum that I myself would recommend is at least 20GB. If you are using in on occasion then i'd say 15GB free space as a minimum.

Good Luck when you get round to installing it.

Steve

sportsfan_156 · 08-09-2012, 08:43 PM

Thanks for the advice. Wow Linux really is space saving, I was expecting like 40GB minimum if I were to use it for files and whatnot. But since i'm a beginner and won't know how to use it a lot, I guess I'll make a partition the size of 20GB.

**SteveThePirate** · 08-10-2012, 04:45 AM

Yeah but just remember it depends on the amount of files you have and how big they are so keep that in mind when partitioning. For example i have 9gb worth of music that would eat up all the space in that 20gb partition straight away so i would choose 40gb. If you have relatively small files then 20gb is plenty.

sportsfan_156 · 08-18-2012, 02:22 PM

Hey steve, I was wondering is it possible to use my belkin N usb wireless adapter in Ubuntu 12.04 and if so, how?

**SteveThePirate** · 08-18-2012, 03:03 PM

Yes you can but Belkin don't make any native Linux drivers much so if it doesn't work first time then some work may need to be done, if you do get any errors refer to the posts in this google search if any of these relate to any problems you may have.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=+b...ient=firefox-a

Let me know if you have any specific issues

Steve

Steve

sportsfan_156 · 08-20-2012, 10:04 PM

Hello, I have decided not to get the driver for the adapter because its a little complex. But I do have another question, Is it possible to install windows using linux. I have a computer installed with only ubuntu and I want to completely remove it so I can install windows xp. I'm out of cd's right now and was just wondering if i can install xp without using a cd. I have an iso of the xp and tried mounting it inside ubuntu, but it couldn't be mounted. So any ideas? Sorry for all the trouble, lol.

**SteveThePirate** · 08-20-2012, 10:56 PM

Unfortunately if you want to remove Ubuntu and isntall windows then you would need an XP cd unless you were installing in a Virtual Environment, Once you have an XP cd then you can follow this guide How to Uninstall Ubuntu & Install Windows | eHow.com

Hope this helps

Steve

sportsfan_156 · 08-21-2012, 06:09 AM

If you don't mind, would you explain what a virtual environment is and how do you install xp in that sense. Also, are dvd's good to install xp, or are dvd's mainly for windows 7? Because I do have a pack of dvd+r's and dvd-r's. Thanks.

Zane14 · 08-21-2012, 06:26 AM

A virtual environment is something like VBox (https://www.virtualbox.org/), this will let you install and run an operating system inside your current operating system using an iso like you said for windows; this can be demanding on your computer/laptop and I wouldn't really recommend it for running unless used for testing in that os.

However, as you are not familiar with Ubuntu and don't intend to use it much, Windows should be your main OS. I would recommend these steps:

1. Make sure to burn the windows iso to a CD or DVD.
2. Backup all your files to a CD/external HDD
3. Put the windows CD in your CD drive and restart your computer
4. Go through the process of removing all your Ubuntu installation and installing Win XP
5. Make sure to use a legal license key!

If you want to go back to using Ubuntu for testing purposes, use the virtual machine technique.

Hope this helps

**SteveThePirate** · 08-21-2012, 12:05 PM

Yep DVD is fine as Zane nicely put it above, just make sure you format your ubuntu partition when installing XP and start afresh.

sportsfan_156 · 08-21-2012, 04:31 PM

Ok. I didn't know dvd's worked for xp, but I guess they do because I just installed xp on the computer. I just wanted to thank both of you, steve and zane, for all the help you have provided me. :)

**SteveThePirate** · 08-21-2012, 10:52 PM

No problem Sportsafan Glad we could help

Zane14 · 08-22-2012, 01:55 AM

More than happy to help sportsfan, although it's all mainly Steve's help! All the best :)