[saxofoner]

So, I finally tried Ubuntu, with a live CD...


:eek: !

I must have it! I want to install it!

I'm just gonna go ahead and use the CD version, cause I don't want to get into all that 64 bit OS crap.

And I'm going to dual-boot. I've backed up all my personal Windrow$y data, and now I want to:
A: Know what special files I need to save from Windows (System MS-DOS Startup Disk?)
B: Be assured that my Windows XP disk won't reject me as having already been used.
AND
C: Totally renew/reformat/start over with my computer.

Can I do this without risking losing anything precious? Besides things that I forget to back up, of course that's going to happen! ....

Any assistance in helping crossover from the darkside is GREATLY appreciated. By the way, the ubuntuforum community is really helpful, I just thought I'd put this here instead.

Forgot to ask: Is http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...+booting&hl=en
still applying to the current (6.06) Linux?

[The General]

You want to install the 32-bit version? Or what do you mean use the CD version?

A: You only need to save the files you want to keep like music, videos, pirate program installers, etc.
B: It won't care. It might care once its already installed and you need to activate it, but a short call to M$ will fix that.
C: Install Windows first, use the installer to format the drive with two partitions, one for Windows and one for Linux. After you have Windows installed, install Linux on that other partition. It will install the boot loader and when you restart you'll have the choice as to which OS you want to boot to.

To be sure you won't lose anything precious, backup all your data as stated in "A:"

And no that video is for the old version, the new installer is totally different, as far as I know.

[saxofoner]

Okay, so no SWAP partition?

And what is it... NTFS for XP, and VFAT for Linux?
If that's wrong, what should it be?

And to totally reformat, I just boot from the Windows CD? And install?

Thanks, by the way.

[The General]

No, NTFS and VFAT are Windows things... Linux CAN be installed and used in a VFAT partition but its really annoying. Just leave the Linux part as empty space, when you get to the Linux installer create a swap partition thats like 2gb, and the rest make EXT3 as /

Yeah when you boot to the Windows CD, the installer can format your drive, and will, you need to delete the current partition, and create a new one at the size you want for Windows, then leave the rest of the drive alone and install to that partition you made.

[saxofoner]

Oh great, thanks. I think I'll do that soon. I've got a 160GB hard drive, so 2 GB swap sounds good. Or would sparing a bit more be smart?

[The General]

I have 4gb of swap, it can't hurt.

[saxofoner]

Alright. I'm about to take the leap of faith. Thanks. Glad you all will be here to catch me!