Ubuntu

installation of new hard drive and ubuntu

Asked by jojogabriel

Hi! I have very little knowledge on hardware and software installation. Please bear with my questions.

Current OS: Windows ME
Old HDD: 40GB HDD, I think this is dying
New HDD: 120GB, not yet installed

I would like to accomplish the following:
1. Use the new HDD as the primary drive
2. Keep the old drive until it is no longer usable
3. Install Ubuntu on the new HDD
4. Install Windows XP on the new HDD (need XP to work from home)
5. Use Windows ME from old drive until I get a copy of Windows XP.

Questions.
1. How should I prepare my new HDD so that I can use Ubuntu and XP? Should I use the tools provided by the manufacturer (Seagate) or should I use Linux commands to partition and format it? If it is Linux, could you point me to a reliable web page that discuss this? Does the Ubuntu Live CD contains utilities on how to do this?
2. If I'm able to install Ubuntu on the new drive, would I still be able to access/load Windows ME from old drive? If I'm not mistaken, the Live CD will install GRUB which allows me to do this.

I don't know what other questions I should ask in order to accomplish my objectives. Please advise on how to proceed.

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Alan Pope 🍺🐧🐱 🦄
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
williamts99 (williamts99) said : 		#1

1. When you install Windows, you should partition the hard drive so that you leave space for the Ubuntu installation.
2. Yes you can do this without a problem.

You may wish to refer to the Dual Boot Wiki entry:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

And also Alan Pope did a screencast available on Google video:
http://video.google.com/url?vidurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideoplay%3Fdocid%3D-2369893842637434537%26q%3Dubuntu%2Bwindows%2Bdual%2Bboot%26hl%3Den&docid=-2369893842637434537&ev=v&esrc=sr2&usg=AL29H20rTQbBJ8y9NLiSE2xGE2OSIMIFhA

Revision history for this message
jojogabriel (jojogabriel) said : 		#2

Does this ["When you install Windows, you should partition the hard drive so that you leave space for the Ubuntu installation."] mean I have to install Windows XP first before installing Ubuntu? Is it possible to install Ubuntu now?

Revision history for this message
Best Alan Pope 🍺🐧🐱 🦄 (popey) said : 		#3

It is easier to install Windows first, then Ubuntu. You can do it the other way around, but Windows stupidly assumes it is the only OS on the disk, Ubuntu does not.

So if you install Windows first then Ubuntu you get a nice menu allowing you to choose which OS you boot.

If you install Ubuntu then Windows, you get the menu after installing Ubuntu, but Windows overwrites the master boot record, removing the menu.

You can put it back afterwards, and the following page details how:-

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RecoveringUbuntuAfterInstallingWindows

Revision history for this message
jojogabriel (jojogabriel) said : 		#4

 williamsts99 and Alan Pope, thanks for your replies.

Do you have recommendation on how much disk space I should set aside for Ubuntu and all popular applications for home? The Ubuntu Wiki suggested 10GB but the LiveCD says 2GB (if I'm not mistaken).

I'm planning to have a separate partition for my data files. Is it possible to combine the data/personal files from Ubuntu and XP.

Revision history for this message
jojogabriel (jojogabriel) said : 		#5

User confirmed that the request is solved.