Ubuntu

"Can't have a partition outside the disk!"

Asked by Jiehan Zheng

When I install Ubuntu, I got a message said that my computer has no operating systems on it.

I got into Ubuntu in Live CD, ran sudo fdisk -lu, and sudo parted /dev/sda print, here's the result:
=======================================================
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo fdisk -lu

Disk /dev/sda: 64.0 GB, 64023257088 bytes
240 heads, 63 sectors/track, 8270 cylinders, total 125045424 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x13dbf84d

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 63 116665919 58332928+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 116674560 125057519 4191480 12 Compaq diagnostics

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo parted /dev/sda print
Error: Can't have a partition outside the disk!
=======================================================

It seems like theres something wrong with sda2, it would be ThinkPad's recovery volume.

So, could anyone help me install Ubuntu on this computer, and with Windows XP undamaged?

Thank you!

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Jeruvy
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Cristi Nistor (cristi-nistor) said : 		#1

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

Have you tried the tutorial form the link above?

Revision history for this message
Jiehan Zheng (jiehanzheng) said : 		#2

Yes, but I can't "Manually edit partition table", because there is no partitions listed, only a hard drive.

Revision history for this message
Best Jeruvy (jeruvy) said : 		#3

Actually according to your fdisk output you have two partitions on the disk. One is a NTFS partition (sda1) and the other is a special Compaq partiton (sda2).

To install Ubuntu you'd have to shrink your NTFS partition first. However, its a pretty small disk to start with. You should consider ensuring at least 50% free space on the NTFS partition but ensure this leaves sufficient free space on the NTFS to go ahead.

I would recommend buying a new hard disk and simply swapping it and then installing Ubuntu. This way you can leave this original disk with Windows alone and just swapping the drives 'physically' as needed, or even consider moving your Windows partitions to the new hard disk and having more free space to install Ubuntu and even having a separate partition that can manage your data without affecting system partitions. I personally prefer having separate hard disks for laptops rather than dual booting since it's not that hard to remove a couple screws from the bottom of the case and swapping the drives and booting. This will not void any warranty, actually it will work better to preserve your warranty since you are not modifying the original hardware.

Good luck.

Revision history for this message
Jiehan Zheng (jiehanzheng) said : 		#4

Oh! Thank you!

I deleted sda2 and reformatted, then I'm now under Ubuntu!!

Thank you so much! :)