Ubuntu
ubiquity package

Dual boot installation disk?

Asked by Ben Duncan

I've downloaded the dual boot for Windows 7, though, when I get to the point where it needs to be booted, the screen prints something like this:

"Insert Windows installation disk and choose a language"

Now, this got me thinking, do I have to install Linux and put it on to a CD and boot it from there, or wouldn't that work for a dual boot?

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Ubuntu ubiquity Edit question
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Eliah Kagan
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

Is Windows installed on the internal drive, or are you just starting the install?
How did you install the OS if you do have it in already?

Thanks

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Ben Duncan (benforwork) said : 		#2

Yes, Windows 7 was pre-installed with my system.
I installed Ubuntu from this website: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/windows-installer

I followed all the instructions and it looked so simple.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

You can use Windows 7 to resize its own NTFS partition. Then boot to the Ubuntu install media and install to the new free space. Be sure your backups are sufficient in case of catastrophe

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Eliah Kagan (degeneracypressure) said : 		#4

I am marking this question as affecting Wubi, so that people who know about that can help you. You should post clicking the "I'm Providing More Information" button, so that the status of this question goes back from Needs Information to Open and those people know you still need help. This would also be an opportunity for you to clarify (a) whether or not your installed Windows 7 system works OK, and (b) at what point exactly do you see this error message (for example, is it when you select Ubuntu from a list that consists of Windows and Ubuntu? or is it at some other point?)?

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Eliah Kagan (degeneracypressure) said : 		#5

By the way, in post #3, actionparsnip gave you directions appropriate to installing Ubuntu alongside Windows in a separate partition. If you are going to do this, then (a) you could try just doing it, since usually it is able to resize the partitions itself without problems (see http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download), and (b) it would be a good idea, though is not strictly necessary, for you to remove your Wubi system (by uninstalling Wubi in Add/Remove Programs).

@actionparsnip
Did you miss how http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/windows-installer are the Wubi instructions, therefore this problem has nothing to do with partitioning? If you're recommending that Ben Duncan use a standard installation of Ubuntu alongside Windows instead of Wubi, then I'm inclined to agree (lacking any specific details about why he chose Wubi), but your post was a strange way of recommending that...

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Ben Duncan (benforwork) said : 		#6

Alright, thank you, Eliah.

Anyway:

a.) My Windows 7 system is working fine at the moment.
b.) I see the error message when I select Ubunto from the List that consists of Windows and Ubuntu, yes.

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Ben Duncan (benforwork) said : 		#7

I know it's a silly beginner question, but could you go over the solution again, please?
I've uninstalled wubi, but what would be the next step into dual booting Windows 7 and Linux?

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Ben Duncan (benforwork) said : 		#8

Sorry, for the inconvenience.

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Best Eliah Kagan (degeneracypressure) said : 		#9

"I know it's a silly beginner question, but could you go over the solution again, please?"

No problem.

First, back up your documents and important files, if your backups are not already current. When dynamically resizing partitions, whether you do it yourself in Windows or allow the Ubuntu installer to do it automatically (or any other way, such as doing it yourself in the Ubuntu installer or with GParted), there is always a small risk of data loss. This rarely happens but it happens enough to be worth preparing for.

You can install Ubuntu alongside windows by burning the Ubuntu .iso image to a CD or DVD or writing it to a USB flash drive, then booting from it, trying it out to make sure it works (it will be slower than when it is installed, especially if you are running it from a CD or DVD), and then installing it by double-clicking on the "Install Ubuntu" icon on the desktop.

The installer will give you the opportunity to install alongside Windows. It will automatically resize your Windows partition, shrinking it down to make room to create Ubuntu's partitions. Just don't tell the installer to use the entire disk, as if you do that, it will overwrite your Windows system, which will in effect erase it.

If you would prefer to shrink down your Windows partition yourself in Windows, then with Windows Vista and WIndows 7 you can do that. To do so, right click on My Computer (or Computer) and click Manage. You can then shrink down your Windows partition there (this is probably the biggest NTFS partition, shown to the right of any other NTFS partitions--if you are at all unsure, please feel free to take a full-resolution full-screen screenshot showing a maximized Disk Management and post it somewhere on the web, such as http://postimage.org, and then post a link to it here). It will schedule the resizing task to occur when you reboot, so do that. Reboot, let it resize, make sure Windows still functions properly, then reboot again and boot from the Ubuntu CD/DVD/USB.

You should also refer to the instructions at http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download, which are particularly useful if you are unsure how to download Ubuntu or how to create the CD/DVD/USB.

Revision history for this message
Eliah Kagan (degeneracypressure) said : 		#10

Alternatively, you could stick with Wubi, and wait for someone who is knowledgeable about Wubi to help you solve your original problem.

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Eliah Kagan (degeneracypressure) said : 		#11

(If you want to do that, then you should reopen this question by posting clicking the "I Still Have A Problem" button, so they know to look at it and offer help.)

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Ben Duncan (benforwork) said : 		#12

Thanks Eliah Kagan, that solved my question.

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Eliah Kagan (degeneracypressure) said : 		#13

Changing back from Wubi to ubiquity in Ubuntu, since the standard installation was ultimately chosen by the original poster and no significant Wubi-specific work was done.