Ubuntu
firefox package

lost drivers, not understanding what reformatting i need to do to open my computer's space to accomodate the install

Asked by murphy philippi

i am worried and confused. i attempted a few days ago to switch to windows os for a file editing process i have found tedious and difficult in ubuntu, but had mastered in windows. instead, i fear i have erased and deleted everything, including the drivers for this system. i attempted an hour ago to reinstall ubuntu after letting the files and programs i formerly had go. i am certain that the important items i sacrificed in this effort are accessible and available on an external storage drive. but i dont understand formatting, and partitioning well enough to know if i have to move or change the partitions on my machine.
i went to re download the toshiba drivers, and bleieve that i have twice done so, but notice that the sofware is for windows, which i have decided to abandon completely. how shall i proceed. what must i do to correctly and effectively install ubuntu here? how shall i handle disc partitioning and formatting? what shall i do with the external storage i have been using since migrating from windows? i am worried about losing the extensive music collection that populates most of the terrabyte external that also has backups for my documents, pictures, videos, and other important files. do i need to have windows at all? what have i done? how can i undo it? please please please i need help///

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Ubuntu firefox Edit question
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Chris
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murphy philippi (twenty3diablo) said : 		#1

is there a place that i can locate the infomation i need to properly and cleanly install the ubuntu os? i really dont want to use windows any more. i have learned to love the ubuntu system. i dont know anything about using the linux terminal, am not familiar with the protocols and codes for working commands in the termnal... or exactly what the terminal is for... but i have a 120 g machine that is recently completely available, but i seem to have insufficient space to install the os anew. i want to learn, to become confident using linux/ ubuntu. and i have been diligently working on the editing and fleshing out of my extensive music collection, and am now three days unable to proceed with the work i have kept at without pause for over a year. i dont really know how to find the answers available for this query. i am not in a fiancial position at the moment to afford the cost of being guided by someone that requires payment. i believe in my heart that i can handle the entire fix up of my mess, but i need to know where to look, how to find the answers, and to do this on my own. i think that if i am able to do this, i will improve dramatically the skills i lack in navigating ubuntu, file systems, formatting, partitioning, and continuing the work i have been at for time untold. it is my intent... or had been until my lack of proper skills saw me lose the entire content, including the drivers i don't even know if i need, or how to get them to work and be accsible with ubuntu. please someone help me. i might suggest a reply be sent to my email.... <email address hidden>
and if it please you, i humbly beg to be given the help i am looking for without the requirment of payment. i am simply not able to afford to pay any amount a the moment.... and appeal to whomever can help me out for some guidance, and assistance .

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Best Chris (fabricator4) said : 		#2

If you've got a LiveCD or a LiveUSB to boot from, you could be up and running very quickly indeed. I recommend you install 11.10 release - if you don't have it you'll have to download and burn the CD. Feel free to ask specific questions about things you don't understand, but you should first read come of the documentation that explains how to install Ubuntu:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation
   (Official Community Docmentation)

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing
   (For 11.04 release which is very much like 11.10)

http://www.futuredesktop.org/
  (Takes you from download to post installation configuration)

Chris

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murphy philippi (twenty3diablo) said : 		#3

Thanks Chris, that solved my question.