Ubuntu

How do I partitian a disk, install Ubuntu, fix missing file?

Asked by cstw94@verizon.net

I have a HP desktop, Windows XP, Pentium 4, 512mb, 160gb hard drive,CD drive w/ writer,Intel graphics media, Processor speed #.06 ghz, Verizon DSL fast speed connection. When I was installing, the 1st time I thought it was working perfect, then it froze when I pushed off and restarted /Win XP loaded. Scanned what was done and sent me an error message that I was missing a file " NTLDR " it has something to do with my CD rom drive. The 2nd time 3rd or 4th time I tried to install this disk the Cd rom drive locked the disk in there and would not open. Once when I was trying to download new drivers to fix it, the message was from Firefox I think, " You have nothing to open files with" I tried again to download a fix and my computer froze up again.
 I changed the drive selection to my CD writer to reboot, I really do not know what I am doing with any of this.
I'm 62 yrs old and I have never had a lesson on how to even use a PC before. I have no books or directions per say, but I sure need them. Could someone tell me where to get the basic installation directions on how to partition the disk , and install this Ubuntu-Fiesty????? How do I open files after I download them, if I am lucky enough not to freeze up and loose them?????? Which downloads are the most important files I need to get first???? Can I get books sent to me from Wikipedia?????? I need help but very slowly. Simple directions, and I need to print them because I forget step 1 if I have to read step 2 too. Please HELP ME. I think I was trying to download too much at once when I froze. And the first time I installed I was on line updating everything it worked perfect but when I restarted it wasn't really installed, Win XP was

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Tony Yarusso (tonyyarusso) said : 		#1

I'll try to attack this one point at a time:

Sometimes the installers will appear to hang when in fact things are still going on in the background. Feel free to let it sit for a while before drawing conclusions.

The NTLDR error is a Windows-specific message related to either corruption or misconfiguration of the Windows bootloader. There is some information about this on the web - http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=missing+ntldr

The Firefox message was likely more along the lines of "you have nothing to open this type of file with". Each file type is associated with an application, for instance .txt will open in your text editor, etc. How you open them varies depending on what type they are. Most things will automatically open with their associated application. Other things you may want to "save to disk" and look into what you're doing with the file type after downloading.

Drivers will often come either as a .deb package (which will install automatically in Ubuntu once it's up and running), or .tar.gz, which will need to be compiled. If you do in fact need special drivers, I would recommend finding a local friend who can help you in person, since it can be a lot to learn at once. Make sure that your CD-ROM drive works in Windows okay first, and then maybe do some Googling on the model.

As far as I know, Wikipedia does not do any print services, however, you can get some information about Ubuntu in print. I would recommend any of the following four titles (all available from Amazon.com or most local bookstores):
The Offical Ubuntu Book (2nd edition) - http://www.amazon.com/Official-Ubuntu-Book-2nd/dp/0132354136/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-0633157-7076012?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189409179&sr=1-2
Beginning Ubuntu Linux, from Novice to Professional (2nd ed) - http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Ubuntu-Second-Novice-Professional/dp/1590598202/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/002-0633157-7076012?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189409179&sr=1-3
Ubuntu for Non-Geeks (2nd ed) - http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Non-Geeks-2nd-Project-Based-Get-Things-Done/dp/1593271522/ref=sr_1_5/002-0633157-7076012?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189409179&sr=1-5
Ubuntu Linux Bible - http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Linux-Bible-William-Hagen/dp/0470038993/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-0633157-7076012?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189409179&sr=1-1

The basic installation guide is available at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation as well.

Hopefully that helps get you pointed in the right direction.

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