I want to install ubuntu on my PC whilst retaining XP...How do i configure a dual-boot?

Question

Or should I use Gnoppix which runs from a live CD?

and...any probs using BT home hub wifi

Answer 1

It's a fairly easy operation to do this. First make sure your PC will boot from the CD drive, on some machines press F12, during boot up, to bring up the boot sequence options or if this doesn't work press F2 on boot up which will take you into the BIOS where you can easily alter your boot sequence to boot from CD before HD.
Put in your CD & reboot then follow this tutorial:
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

There is no need for you to partition your hard drive before installing Ubuntu, this will be done for you during the install with a minimum of input from you, also a boot loader will be installed on your MBR to enable you to choose which OS you want to boot into. Linux installers nowadays are quite safe so it is unlikely that you will lose any data, but it's worth backing up any important information, just in case.

Linux works better when it is installed on the hard drive, a live CD has got it's limits but will give you a good idea how linux works.

wifi does work on linux check out the ubuntu forums for how to do this.

If this is your first foray into linux it may be worth looking at Opensuse 10.2, I think this is a more polished version of linux with better hardware support & very easy to configure. You can get it here:
http://download.opensuse.org/

Answer 2

Installing a dual-boot system using Windows XP and Ubuntu Video. The video details the entire process, from partitioning the harddrive to walking through the install procedure.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6104490811311898236&q=

*EDIT* - You can use the Ubuntu disc as a live cd as well. Personally, I like Ubuntu and believe the support on the forums is second to none. Good luck.

Answer 3

you can use the live CD and run it directly from any time you want to.
But if you really want to install it on your hard drive get a Partition Magic to partition your hard drive before installing the Ubuntu.

You can make 3 partitions one for the windows another for the linux and the other for data / personal use and/or shared documents. this is good especially if you are not the only using the system.

Answer 4

Watch this Video:

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-2369893842637434537&total=29&start=10&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

You may also need info on Ubuntu WIFI:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported

Answer 5

if i was u id partion of some ur hard drive with partion magic and do it that way but be warned linux partion and fat32 and ntfs are diffrent things and u may end up losing lots of data if somthing goes wrong

but when uv done it when computer botting from hard drive it should say all os that on that hard drive for u to chose 1

or do what iv done get a cheap 40gb hard drive 2nd hand (can pick um up for £8.99 of ebay and stick linux on that and just switch um over when u need um)

Answer 6

Install a bootloader onto the system such as GAG

Answer 7

Try using the LiveCD version. This allows you to download the OS and run it off of a CD and retain your version of XP.

You can download this from:
help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

Answer 8

the bt home hub wont make toast and dont put it on your dining room table like they do in the advert