Thread: Ubuntu Install Guide (Step by Step)

I have downloaded Ubuntu & have also burned the iso image on to the cd...

Before I install...got few doubts...
I have 2 partitions in my system:
C drive (30 GB ; 17 GB Free) &
D drive (120 GB ; 82 GB free)

I have installed Windows Xp in the C drive.

1) Should I install ubuntu in C or D drive...
2) I could understand the "Hard disk partitioning" part in the Install guide...
Mainly the "extended partition" one

no no..dont install in C drive..when ur in the partition manager of the ubuntu..slect D drive ..select new partion...there select swap...size=1024MB

then..one more partition..select ext3 partion..with a minimum size of 4-5GB..then give the mount point as / ...thats all..if any problem ..u can come online from there itself, and post here

Hey i thought people will find it difficult so i'll elaborate a little.
Now you have a 30GB and 120 GB partition.
I'll clarify things a bit
1. Dont touch ur 30 GB XP paritition.
2. You need 3 partitions for ubuntu (root,boot,swap)
3. And one more u'll need to store your data (i.e. a D drive for ur XP)
4. Now you can only create a maximum of 4 "primary partitions". Now if you want to have more than 4 partitions on your harddrive you need to create 1 "extended partition" which counts as 1 primary partition. An extended partition can have as many "logical partition" in it as u want.

Now I suppose you have some data in ur 120GB Drive. I would recommend that you copy all of this data to an external HDD or your C drive( it has some free space) for backup.

Now just goto Control Panel> Administrative Tools>ComputerManagement> Disk Management Tab in the left Bar> Right Click on your 120Gb partition> Delete Partition> Click Yes (this will delete your 120 GB partition and show unallocated space. > right click again the free space > New Partition> Select Extended>Leave the size as the whole 120GB> Click Next Next after that wherever needed. Now you have created an extended partition. You can create any number of partitions inside it. Right Click on the new extended partition > create new partition > Next (Logical default).> Selec the size suppose 100Gb > Next > Next

Now u'll have a 100Gb partition instead of 120 GB and 20GB free space to install ubuntu. Follow the guide from here.

Ask for help if you find anything difficult.

@above..

yea nice..but boot partitions are not needed explicitly..all he has to do is just create swap and a root partition..(make root partition logical in the installation step)

@ramesh

if u know how to use partition manager u can avoid data backup...all u have to do is create a new partition of 10-20GB..then install ubuntu..

Well the boot partition is not necessary but is highly recommended. If you make a boot partition you can easily remove ubuntu without affecting your windows boot. Also if u want to remove windows it wont affect your ubuntu installation. Yes you can avoid data backup by using tools like "Partition Magic" but sometimes it screws up destroying your data.So be careful in this case.

yaa...dont use partition managers..if u're not familiar with them

Originally Posted by gauviz

Hey i thought people will find it difficult so i'll elaborate a little.
Now you have a 30GB and 120 GB partition.
I'll clarify things a bit
1. Dont touch ur 30 GB XP paritition.
2. You need 3 partitions for ubuntu (root,boot,swap)
3. And one more u'll need to store your data (i.e. a D drive for ur XP)
4. Now you can only create a maximum of 4 "primary partitions". Now if you want to have more than 4 partitions on your harddrive you need to create 1 "extended partition" which counts as 1 primary partition. An extended partition can have as many "logical partition" in it as u want.

Now I suppose you have some data in ur 120GB Drive. I would recommend that you copy all of this data to an external HDD or your C drive( it has some free space) for backup.

Now just goto Control Panel> Administrative Tools>ComputerManagement> Disk Management Tab in the left Bar> Right Click on your 120Gb partition> Delete Partition> Click Yes (this will delete your 120 GB partition and show unallocated space. > right click again the free space > New Partition> Select Extended>Leave the size as the whole 120GB> Click Next Next after that wherever needed. Now you have created an extended partition. You can create any number of partitions inside it. Right Click on the new extended partition > create new partition > Next (Logical default).> Selec the size suppose 100Gb > Next > Next

Now u'll have a 100Gb partition instead of 120 GB and 20GB free space to install ubuntu. Follow the guide from here.

Ask for help if you find anything difficult.

I have stuff of around 38 GB in D drive & the free space in C Drive is 17 GB..
I also dont have any external hard disk...
Partition Manager....? Hearing this for the first time....dunno how to use it....

Try "Partition Magic". Do you know about it

What is that....

Originally Posted by jee.ramesh1983

What is that....

Partition Manager is a tool to edit partitions. This is how Partition Magic's screen looks like.

You can use it to Create, Resize, Delete, Merge, Split partition. You can also use it to convert file system of partition (NTFS, FAT32, FAT etc). Its really easy to use. But if not careful you will loss data.

You can use it to create free space to install Ubuntu.

is it a freeware?

i dont think it is safe to use partition managers when u dont know how to use it...

Originally Posted by jee.ramesh1983

is it a freeware?

Partition Magic is Shareware. I don't know if there is a freeware application to do the job.

Is the shareware enough or full version is required...

Originally Posted by jee.ramesh1983

Is the shareware enough or full version is required...

You won't be able to do anything with demo version. Its for show only. I search and EASEUS Partition Manager is the only freeware I could find.

This is how it's screen looks like.

It looks simple to understand. And have all the important options.

thanks mate....My only fear is if something goes wrong...then all my data could be lost....

Originally Posted by jee.ramesh1983

thanks mate....My only fear is if something goes wrong...then all my data could be lost....

Pleasure. I have used Partition Magic and no problems yet. Good Luck!
Don't use the partition manager on your main disc( c: ) no matter what.

apart from C & d drive I have some 8 GB free space...& while installing ubuntu it showed this 8 gb free space....can I use this free space to install ubuntu...

yaa..use it..create a swap and root partition

Originally Posted by mahehellraiser

yaa..use it..create a swap and root partition

what abt boot partition...

i dont think u require a boot partition...even if u re-install windows and loose your grub..u can restore it easily...

Boot partition is not neccessary. Boot loader would be installed in mbr(master boot record).

Originally Posted by pothi

Boot partition is not neccessary. Boot loader would be installed in mbr(master boot record).

so,is swap and root partition enough..Kindly confirm...

yes u can

ya..enough..go ahead