Ubuntu

installation-partitioning

Asked by Potterman210

After getting to the point where when i restarted my computer and as it turned on, it asked which operating system i wanted to use, my old one vs ubuntu. When i chose ubuntu it started to install...i was then confronted with the following problem

Partitioning
Checking the installation...
20%

Computing the new partitions...(i'm not sure what that means)

(i then received some sort of error message)

The Selected Partition (partition 1 of /var/lib/partman/devices/=dev=sda) already contains the following system images:
/ubuntu/disks/root.disk
Please uninstall these before trying again.

i have searched for this partition menu/folder and have failed to find it.

I don't understand what any of this means, but i can tell you the following.
when intalling/downloading the .iso file from the internet, i did that twice because the first time while trying to burn the file/image onto a disk, i couldn't find it anywhere on my computer even after searching for it via "search" on my start tab(the thing on the bottom left of the screen, not sure what it's called)
I have an HP Pavilion Notebook PC and i run Windows Vista.

Please, if there is anything anyone can tell me to help fix this problem, by all means do not hesitate.

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Colin Warren (colin-wyatt-warren-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#1

Boot to a linux live CD (preferably Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop) and then open up gparted (or any partition manager) under System -> Administration -> Partition Manager. Delete ALL partitions and then boot to whatever OS you were trying to install. It should install correctly now.

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Potterman210 (potterman210) said : 		#2

what is a Linux Live CD? and how would i "boot" to it?

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Potterman210 (potterman210) said : 		#3

also, what is an "OS"?

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Xuacu Saturio (xuacusk8) said : 		#4

Wow! Please do **not** delete all partitions if you want to keep your Windows or your current data!

Try this instead:

1 - Under Vista, defrag your windows partitions and shrink them. Arrange it to be one next to another (ie. no space between them) It may take some time to do this. It's wise to create restauration points, external backups and everything you might need to recover your system, just in case...

2 - When you're done, put your Ubuntu CD into the tray and reboot to start from CD (make sure your CD device starts before than your HD)

3 - Start a new installation process and select manual partition.

4 - Delete all partitions **except** Windows ones. Create an small partition (size about twice the RAM on your computer) and mark it as swap type. Create a new partition and mark it as ext4 type.

4 - Proceed with the remaining installation steps.

5 - Have fun with Ubuntu!

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