I think we DESPERATLY need a grub/winXP newbie HowTo

Thu Oct 28 10:16:53 UTC 2004

the Partition Resizer is free (http://www.zeleps.com/).  DISCLAIMER: I haven't used it, ever, just found with google.

Just an idea: Wouldn't it be great for newbies to have an option in the installer to "partition using free space on windows drive" (like in Mandrake, my second most favourite distro)?  The installer could then automatically resize the NTFS partition, create the necessary partitions in the free space, format and continue, without any user interaction.  That would give an ideal default option to newbies wanting to dual-boot.

For now then maybe a HOWTO that describes how to resize your NTFS partition in windows using tPR (or similar, ie Partition Magic), and then the steps to follow in the installer to install Ubuntu to the new free space.

Richard

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ubuntu-users-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
> [mailto:ubuntu-users-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com]On Behalf Of Ben Edwards
> Sent: 28 October 2004 10:52
> To: bhn3 at pitt.edu
> Cc: ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> Subject: Re: I think we DESPERATLY need a grub/winXP newbie HowTo
> 
> 
> What did you use to resize - is there a free util that works 
> with 2000/XP?
> 
> Ben
> 
> On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 18:01:53 -0400, Ben Novack 
> <bennovack at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I resized my XP partition before I began the process, had Ubuntu
> > install into the empty space, and I've been merrily 
> dual-booting ever
> > since.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 17:51:43 -0400, Mike Clark 
> <mike.clark at hamot.org> wrote:
> > > I have done numerous XP/Grub installs and Ive never had a 
> problem. If
> > > your referring to the fedora debacle with grub and making XP not
> > > bootable that has been fixed. It wasnt Distro Specific, 
> it was a kernel
> > > issue. Lets say for some odd reason it does 'trash your 
> windows install'
> > > just look up fedora/xp dual boot fix and you will find 
> that this command
> > > fixes it completely. (sfdisk -d /dev/hda | sfdisk 
> --no-reread -H255
> > > /dev/hda) The site with this info is 
> http://lwn.net/Articles/86835/ . If
> > > you ever want to wipe the MBR and start over, get rid of 
> LILO of GRUB.
> > > Just boot to your XP cd and type 'fixmbr' at the prompt. 
> Reboot and your
> > > back to your lovely XP install. Honestly tho, when you 
> are partitioning
> > > for your UBUNTU install do not touch the partition that 
> reads NTFS/DOS
> > > and you will be fine. Thats all.
> > >
> > > >>> Ben Edwards <funkytwig at gmail.com> 10/27/2004 4:55:01 PM >>>
> > >
> > >
> > > I have been hanging around the IRC channel a little bit as well as
> > > keeping an eye on the User List.  I am increasingly 
> getting the idea
> > > doing a dual boot Ubuntu-WinXP install is a VERY bad 
> idea.  I think it
> > > is something to do with the difference in which grub and windows
> > > addresses disk space - in lilo this was not a problem.
> > >
> > > This is a real problem because a lot of windows users 
> wanting who want
> > > to try Ubuntu will try this and lose access to there Windows
> > > partition.    this is something that needs addressing - 
> The headline
> > > 'Ubuntu trashed my Windows machine' send chills up my spine.
> > >
> > > This is not just a WinXP issue - someone at our local LUG 
> wanted to
> > > try Ubuntu.  they previously had SusE and had real grub problems -
> > > they posted to the user list and did not get a reply.
> > >
> > > A Newbie, who is not used to using mailing lists and IRC may well
> > > panic - swear and reinstall windows.
> > >
> > > Indeed a lot of the grub / WinXP problems are not getting 
> responses on
> > > the Mailing list - I am sending people to IRC but this is 
> not ideal -
> > > for one thing the answers are not being archived.
> > >
> > > So I think we need a WinXP & a grub howto/troubleshooting 
> document for
> > > Newbees - and possibly a what to do if have problems 
> installing dual
> > > boot.
> > >
> > > Currently the wiki is being frozen while it is migrated to a new
> > > system.  I am not technical enough to write the document but if
> > > someone wanted to volunteer and send it to me I will make 
> sure your
> > > work is not wasted (I am posting this to the user/ devl 
> and docs list,
> > > those on the docs list obviously do not need to post it 
> to me but it
> > > would be good if they could tell me if they are doing this).
> > >
> > > Ben Edwards
> > > Documentation Team
> > >
> > > PS apologies to the moderator of the devel list - could you please
> > > moderate this through
> > > --
> > > Ben Edwards - Poole, UK, England
> > > WARNING:This email contained partisan views - dont ever 
> accuse me of
> > > using the veneer of objectivity
> > > If you have a problem emailing me use
> > > http://www.gurtlush.org.uk/profiles.php?uid=4
> > > (email address this email is sent from may be defunct)
> > >
> > > --
> > > ubuntu-users mailing list
> > > ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> > > http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
> > >
> > > --
> > > ubuntu-users mailing list
> > > ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> > > http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
> > >
> > 
> > --
> > ubuntu-users mailing list
> > ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> > http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
> > 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Ben Edwards - Poole, UK, England
> WARNING:This email contained partisan views - dont ever accuse me of
> using the veneer of objectivity
> If you have a problem emailing me use
> http://www.gurtlush.org.uk/profiles.php?uid=4
> (email address this email is sent from may be defunct)
> 
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