Newbi Questions

[jan00b]

Hello, im new to Ubuntu and i just have a few questions to get me on my feet.

1: I did a basic install seeing as im a newbi with linux. Basicly my whole 120GB hard drive is now a (ext3 or whatever the default file system is). In the Disk Usage Analyser it says the total captivity is only 107.2GB. Why is this? What is the other 12.8GB?

2: I did this to get rid of my messed up Windows partition (XP disk just shuts down the computer randomly), I wan't to now set up 2 partitions.
Partition1 = 100GB (Empty, for my new Windows installation)
Partition2 = 20GB (Whatever Ubuntu needs)
The reason windows has more is because I use most of the applications I baught for it, and play lots of games. Linux is for fun and learning (if not one in the same. Anyways, How do you devide them like so? I don't have anything importiant on here yet so if it requires a reinstall, im fine with it.

3: Where can I get drivers? expecialy wireless drivers. my friend has been using Ubuntu for some time and he can't even find working ones. Where can i find out how to install wifi drivers? This will benifit us both.

4: Whats your favorite site for newbi documentations on how to use Ubuntu?

5: Since this is free, isn't most of the software also free? If so there must be some online archive for reviewed linux software, what is it?

[jmtjet]

Just to answer one of your questions: Windows must be installed first. Then you can set up your partitions as you like when you install your Linux distro-in this case Ubuntu.

Check out the Ubuntu beginners forum. It will answer a lot of your questions, including your question about wireless drivers. You must know the manufacturer of the device you're looking for drivers for.

http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=73

Hope this helps.

[jan00b]

Why does windows have to be installed first? and can I just use the Windows 95 disk to delete the Linux partition then install?

[jmtjet]

Windows needs to be first on the drive. GRUB will look to install to the first section of the boot drive. Not the MBR. Your Windows disk should contain fdisk. You can reformat the drive with it. Better yet determine the MFG of your drive and download their harddrive tool, use the tool to reformat your drive. Dual booting is not ease to set up, but Ubuntu has made it fairly painless. Here's a tutorial for dual booting;
http://www.linux.com/articles/114157

and a video how-to;
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6104490811311898236

[pozican]

Install windows.
Out of the 20 gig lift make a 1-2 gig partition for "swap" this is linux version of virtual memory.

Your disc will always be smaller, even when you format in windows -- It's normal :)

wifi drivers will depend on your wifi card, once you get the brand, post back and do some google searches for what chipset it uses.
It will be something like atheros, prism, etc
Then we will find drivers for you.

If your friend needs help tell him to do the same.
If your chipset is not supported you can use ndiswrapper to use the windows driver for them.

Most of the software is free -- Google for ubuntu apt repositories.

The Ubuntu forums are really good :)

-poz

[jan00b]

Sorry, videos wont load for some reason. Can I just go into the Ubuntu boot disk and do the manuel setup and partition. Can't I just do

[partition 1 = 98GB for Ubuntu]
[partition 2 = 2GB Swap for Ubuntu]
[partition 3 = 18GB for Ubuntu]
[Partition 4 = 2GB Swap fo Ubuntu]

With the Windows95 disk, can't I just format partition 1 and 2 into 1 for Windows 95. i did not make a mistake, i do mean Windows 95 because I got the XP upgrade disk, but its at my dads house. So now i imagine it would be somthing like this.


[partition 1 = 98GB for Ubuntu] FORMAT with Win95 bootdisk
[partition 2 = 2GB Swap for Ubuntu] FORMAT with Win95 bootdisk
[partition 3 = 18GB for Ubuntu]
[Partition 4 = 2GB Swap fo Ubuntu]

[partition 1 = 100GB for Windows]
(yes 2 combinded with 1)
[partition 3 = 18GB for Ubuntu]
[Partition 4 = 2GB Swap fo Ubuntu]

Would this be a way to do it? Could I also just format my ENTIRE drive compleatly with a Windows 95 bootdisk, Install XP THEN install Ubuntu? Thanks for the help guys:happy:

[leroys1000]

XP uses the NTFS file system,windows 95 uses FAT 32.
XP won't run on that.
An XP upgrade disk can be used for partitioning and a
full install as long as you have a previous version windows
disk for it to verify.
Use the XP disk to setup XP partitions and install XP,
then the ubuntu disk to setup partitions on the free
space and install ubuntu.

[pozican]

BTW -- Start installing xp with the xp upgrade disc. And it will just ask you for a disc from an older version of windows.
Pop in your win95 disc, it was say cool, now pop in your xp disc -- Then you are good to go.

No need to install win95 first.