linux, just a few questions

Dartagnan · Post by **Dartagnan** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:00 pm

HI

I have been toying with the idea of using linux for quite a while and I have finally decided to do it. I'm going for ubuntu. As I was looking around for information on installing and such, I found that some places recommend that you don't use the hard drive that your other files are on, so do I need another hard drive? Or is it not needed? And if it is needed, could I use a external hard drive?
all help appreciated

-sewercake

adventure_of_link · Post by **adventure_of_link** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:54 pm

They say that because when you install ANY OS (mac OS X, Windows, Linux, BSD, etc) you need to re-partition and reformat. You will need to backup everything first.

If you want to buy another internal hard drive (one for windows and one for Linux), you can do that, however you'll need to setup GRUB for that. No idea on how to setup an external hard drive for this kind of thing though, sorry.

Dartagnan · Post by **Dartagnan** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:00 am

adventure_of_link wrote:If you want to buy another internal hard drive (one for windows and one for Linux), you can do that, however you'll need to setup GRUB for that.

What is GRUB??? could I just install the hdd with the normal wizard? Then install Ubuntu onto it? Also, how does the live cd work, do I just need to stick the cd into my computer and it runs?
all help appreciated

-sewercake

creaothceann · Post by **creaothceann** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:09 am

sewercake wrote:What is GRUB???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_GRUB

Oskar_Hanberg · Post by **Oskar_Hanberg** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:14 am

The live CD eliminates the need to install anything. its awesome if you want to try before you install. Also, personally I would recommend Kubuntu over Ubunto if you're used to windows. Grub is a boot loader giving you the choice to boot from multiple OS's and is installed by default with most linux dists, but if you want to multiboot, install WINDOWS FIRST, as grub "lives" in the MBR, and windows will overwrite it when you do an installation.

Dartagnan · Post by **Dartagnan** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:53 am

OK

I am actually using the live CD right now of ubuntu, and I'm really liking it

I still have a lot of questions though.

My first is revolving around the actual operation of installing it, I myself, am OK at the technical stuff, of course I am 14, so I'm nowhere near most of you, I am fairly confident I can install the HDD, I have installed RAM on my computer before, but other than that, I am a little worried I will accidentally rape my system somehow, should that be a worry? Or is it pretty easy to do?

And again about GRUB, so what I do, is install the HDD, then download GRUB, or do I install the HDD with GRUB? From what I got, GRUB is a program that lets you have the option between the different OS's on the computer, so essentially, am I just installing it, then install Ubuntu, then when I boot up my computer, GRUB will automatically load up.

One more question is, could anyone point me toward a tutorial for the whole operation thats nice and simple to understand, I have looked at some and I believe I could use them, but I'm just wondering if there is one that I could feel a little more confident with.
Thank you very much

-sewercake

adventure_of_link · Post by **adventure_of_link** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:14 am

sewercake wrote:My first is revolving around the actual operation of installing it, I myself, am OK at the technical stuff, of course I am 14, so I'm nowhere near most of you, I am fairly confident I can install the HDD, I have installed RAM on my computer before, but other than that, I am a little worried I will accidentally rape my system somehow, should that be a worry? Or is it pretty easy to do?

Did you already hook the second hard drive into the computer? If so, you should be able to partiton and format it from the installer. If you didn't back up everything first, and/or install ubuntu on your windows hard drive, you can get raped.

sewercake wrote:And again about GRUB, so what I do, is install the HDD, then download GRUB, or do I install the HDD with GRUB? From what I got, GRUB is a program that lets you have the option between the different OS's on the computer, so essentially, am I just installing it, then install Ubuntu, then when I boot up my computer, GRUB will automatically load up.

GRUB gets installed when you install ubuntu to the hard drive

Dartagnan · Post by **Dartagnan** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:01 am

Wait, so should I back up my stuff, EVEN if I am using the other seperate HDD?
Thanks for the help

-sewercake

adventure_of_link · Post by **adventure_of_link** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:09 am

Just in case. It is always good to make a backup.

kevman · Post by **kevman** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:12 am

It can be a good idea to, if you are really that worried.

What I did is physically disconnect the Windows drive the first time I installed. This can cause problems, though, trying to use GRUB to boot both OSes, as you have to hand edit GRUB to boot the other HD afterwards since Ubuntu's install won't tell you.

The installer will ask you where to install the OS, ands you can tell it to use the entire second drive. It will then ask you where to install GRUB, and you can choose either drive. I think. Ubuntu's documentation should tell you what to do in this situation.I think. Its easier if you place GRUB, and ONLY GRUB, on the Windows drive; it'll screw up the config if you place it on the new Linux drive. GRUB won't overwrite your Windows partitions or anything, and it can easily be removed.

I installed GRUB on the new drive and told my BIOS to boot off of the second drive, but that's complicating things.