multiple os on one laptop?

[fryc86]

I'm interested in ubuntu just for curiosity reasons and because I like supporting open source products. But I have Vista and don't want to mess that up. Not that I'm hooked on vista (though it's nice). I wouldn't mind getting rid of it if ubuntu fulfills all my needs and wants, but I'd like to be able to try it first without going through the trouble of uninstalling vista and reinstalling it if ubuntu doesn't work out for me. Can you load two operating systems onto one laptop and if so, how is it done? I'm assuming you have to use two different partitions, but beyond that I'm not sure how it works. thanks.

edit: probably should've put this in the linux forum. Move it if need be.

[Nitestick]

moved. yes it can be done, there are plenty of guides out there, it's called dual booting or multi booting. i'll have a quick look for a guide for you and edit it in here.

edit: The definitive dual-booting guide: Linux, Vista and XP step-by-step
first one i found

[CalcProgrammer1]

Yeah, just boot up Ubuntu from the CD, open GParted from System>Administration (should be "Partition Editor" or something), then click your Windows partition and resize it. The free space can be used to install Ubuntu (just pick Use Largest Continuous Free Space when installing).

[fryc86]

alright well I had gotten started and came upon a glitch. Not sure if I should continue right now or hold off until I've got a better idea what I'm doing. I clicked start/install from the live cd and it got started and then stopped with an error saying the graphical interface was not setup or something like that. dunno

[Mak213]

Well we will need to know what the error was. Kinda hard to tell you what is going on if we get only bits and pieces of what the error "could" be.

[fryc86]

yeah I know, sorry. I was in a rush this afternoon. I'll run it again tonight and copy the message down.

[fryc86]

Well I recently did a re-install of vista and decided to try to dual-boot a copy of the new ubuntu and the ubuntu seems to be working fine (I'll still need to take a lot of time getting used to, learning how to use it and installing stuff) and the internet isn't working yet, hopefully that doesn't take too long.

But I apparently did something wrong still, I followed some online instructions for installing ubuntu when vista was already installed. I went into Vista's Disk Management and clicked the shrink volume to make some free space for ubuntu. Then I shut down vista, like it said to do and ran the install for ubuntu. During the install I clicked on "Guided - use the largest continuous free space" when it asked me how I wanted to partition the disk?

Then there was a page that said Migrate Assistant and summary. Apparently under this summary "Windows Vista/Longhorn Loader" is supposed to show up." It didn't, and stupidly (I know) I clicked continue anyways. The rest of the install went as it was supposed to and ubuntu loads fine.

But when I shut down the computer and start it up again, I do now see an option (at the bottom of the screen) for Windows Vista/Longhorn Loader, but when I click on it nothing happens, it starts for half a second and then goes back to the previous screen. the Ubuntu OS is the only one that will load.

Knowing that, I'm assuming I will again have to do a re-install of Vista (if I am mistaken please let me know), but how can I avoid making a similar mistake the next time? I don't want to install Vista and run into the same problems with Ubuntu, it not being able to load etc. thanks

[Mak213]

Hello,

How to dual-boot Vista with Linux (Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots
Ubuntu - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

There are some guides for you.

Cheers,
Mak