Help installing ubuntu/windows

I want to install ubuntu 13.10 on a laptop but also want to put windows on it.

I rather not share files and choose dual boot and rather instead create a partition for each.

Is it better to install and create a partition for windows first then leave the space i want leftover for ubuntu?

I was thinking of doing something like 240 gb for windows and the rest for ubuntu ( i have a 320 gb hard drive).

Can someone assist how to go about on creating the partitions. For windows it seems simple but for ubuntu it seems a little different

 

for those who like using linux distros what would you use instead of ubuntu?

I am thinking of putting bodhi but unsure how good it will be?

 

There's a good thread going on right now, titled "is Ubuntu free", that would answer a LOT of your questions.

Regarding the dual-boot question, you can do it that way, but you're working way too hard for it! In general terms, install Windows first, using the whole disk. It is VERY IMPORTANT that Windows is installed first, as the Linux boot loader (GRUB) will recognize Windows, but the Windows boot loader will NOT recognize Linux! Once you have verified Windows is installed properly, you can proceed to the Linux installation. (see the "is ubuntu free" thread for the LiveCD "try before you buy" discussion)

Fast forwarding to the installation part, the LiveCD will walk you through the installation step-by-step. The LiveCD will detect the Windows OS and will ask you to choose between three options:

1. install alongside Windows, choosing between each at time of boot
2. use entire disk, erasing windows
3. something else (a custom configuration)

You want to select the first option for a dual-boot configuration. With that option selected, a graphical representation of your entire disk will be available, showing Windows/NTFS area (can't remember what label is used), unused area, and a slider bar. The GUI will show a SUGGESTED allocation, but the slider can be moved in order to change the allocation to the configuration you want (240GB Win/80GB Linux). The only caveat with the slider is to MAKE CERTAIN the slider does not infringe upon existing Windows area (the different shading/color will be apparent), otherwise you WILL corrupt the Windows data occupying that section of disk. However, this shouldn't be an issue for a new Windows installation and the allocations you want. But pay attention and be careful!

Once you have verified your allocations and everything looks right, proceed with "next". The installer will automatically create its own partition, format the partition, install the Linux OS, and install the GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader) in the background, while you are answering setup questions about your preferred username, password, location, etc...

Depending on your internet connection, your computer and its speed, the entire installation process will probably take 10-30 minutes from the time you click "install" to the time you boot into a new Linux installation.

Some helpful hints with installation:
- use an ethernet cable during installation; LiveCDs use a generic wireless wifi driver and, sometimes the wifi driver specific to your wifi chip isn't downloaded because of a circular situation wherein your wifi doesn't work because it needs the specific driver to be downloaded, but you can't download it because you don't have wifi. ALWAYS USE AN ETHERNET CABLE for brand new installations!
- after booting into brand new linux installation to verify everything is working and usable, IMMEDIATELY update your brand new Linux installation, using Update Manager, while you're still connected to Ethernet cable. Your installation was based on a LiveCD image "snapshot" (for instance version 13.10 is an image from October 2013). There have likely been numerous, perhaps even HUNDREDS, of small patches/updates to bring the new installation current to today. Ethernet is typically much faster than wifi, so the many updates will be completed much quicker. Also, for similar reason as wifi drivers discussed above, it's a good idea to leave the ethernet cable plugged in until you have fully installed all available updates. When you click on the Update Manager and no more available updates appear, it's safe to remove the ethernet cable, connect to wifi, and you're good to go from this point forward!

 

I forgot about your Bodhi question.

Bodhi is based on Ubuntu, but utilizes the Enlightenment (E17) desktop. E17 is very light on system resources, so Bodhi is a very fast and responsive system. However, it comes with a minimal set of software programs. "Out of the box" Bodhi is basically a very fast and reliable internet-browsing computer. Of course, you can install additional programs, like word processors, e-mail, etc... from the Bodhi Software Center.

But, IMO, Bodhi is a bit of a "strange bird" with its conventions of how to configure shortcuts, "shelf menus", and such. Coming from a Gnome background, I just can't come to grips with Bodhi. It's too "different" from everything I've ever used. It doesn't seem fair that I'd mark it down for that reason, but that's exactly the reason. On the other hand, there are many folks who LOVE Bodhi, and they have a pretty vibrant user group on their forums. While it isn't for me, perhaps you will find it to your liking?!

Here's a link to Bodhi:
http://www.bodhilinux.com/

Why not download it, burn a LiveCD, and give it a try? All it will cost you is some time and effort! The price is certainly fair!!! Good luck!

 

Thanks for the replies

I am actually posting this from ubuntu 13,10

However i DID NOT put to install with together. Instead i choose the 3rd option to do something else.

Before i installed ubuntu i created a partition for windows. I put something like 250 gb for windows and left 50 gb free for Ubuntu. I installed windows and configured it then i went ahead and did the same with ubuntu.

When i loaded ubuntu i put it in the 50 gb partition and set it to logical. Then the installation did the rest. I disabled internet connections and decided to not get some things it wanted to install since i figured i would do that later.

When i restart my laptop now it goes into a mini ubuntu menu where it says '' ubuntu'' something regarding memory and then it has ''windows ''. If i dont choose anything it seems to just boot ubuntu for me.

I tried both operating systems after they were installed and they both seem to be running fine without issues so far.

I do have a question though... i created a sepearate partition for windows and ubuntu but when i boot ubuntu i can see my windows files. I can't see my ubuntu files through windows nor can i even see the partition.

It seems i can access my windows files through ubuntu though since it shows them . I checked and it does show that ubuntu is on a 50 gb partition. My question is since i can see and access my windows files will this cause an issue with them? Or is there a way to disable ubuntu from even accessing or seeing them? Its just that i don't want to accidentally mess with my windows files while in ubuntu.

What are some good alternatives for ubuntu like: malwarebytes, superanti spyware , peerblock, and ccleaner?

 

I believe some congratulations are in order Nexus, as it seems you have successfully installed Linux and Windows in a dual-boot configuration...THE HARD WAY!!! Kudos!!!!

The "mini ubuntu menu" you reference is actually GRUB, the "GRand Unified Bootloader" that loads the OS. For a brand new installation, your selections will be Ubuntu, Ubuntu memtest, and Windows...in that order. GRUB always put the most recently installed distro first, with Windows the last selection (assuming dual-boot). GRUB will always DEFAULT to the top selection, OR you can arrow down to your boot selection and hit enter. Sounds like your system is behaving as it should!

With respect to files and filesystems, you need to know that Ubuntu uses EXT4 as a partition formatting system for files, while Windows uses NTFS (side note - most flash drives use FAT). Ubuntu (linux in general) reads EXT4, NTFS, and FAT systems by default. Windows reads NTFS and FAT by default. This is why Ubuntu can see and read your Windows partition, but Windows CANNOT see or read your Ubuntu partition. Once again, sounds like you have everything working as it should!

You can install a program within Windows to read linux partitions, but I've never tried it, as I've pretty much abandoned windows. I know it can be done, but I can't comment as I have no experience in the matter. Perhaps someone else will chime in? In the meantime, perhaps this will be helpful:

http://www.howtogeek.com/112888/3-ways-to-access-your-linux-partitions-from-windows/

Otherwise, CONGRATS on your successful "hard way" installation! Something to be proud of! You are either more experienced than you let on, or you are the Luckiest NOOB I have ever worked with?!!!! It's all good! ;-)

 

What do you personally use as a virus,malware,spyware for linux distros ? If any at all

 

I don't really use one. I'm usually pretty diligent about not clicking suspicious links, or opening unsolicited files, or downloading from shady sites. With that said, I do have ClamAV installed, but it's not a real-time scanner, it's "on-demand". Coming from Windows, I was used to a real-time scan program (I used AVG and/or Avast on my machines), so when I switched to Linux, I made it a point to scan every day, eventually scaling back to every week. After so many months (it's now been YEARS) of NO ISSUES, I pretty much don't bother any more, unless someone sends me a file that needs to to resent or forwarded. I don't want to be a carrier who perpetuates the malware, so I'll scan before I let that file leave my machine. ClamAV is available for free in the Software Center.

 

My top Linux choices are:

Linux Mint (KDE and Cinnamon)
PCLinuxOS
Mageia

They're all beginner friendly and come with many preinstalled software, Ubuntu on the other hand is ok'ish, I just don't like the way it has become and I avoid it.

Unfortunately I've never done a dual boot so can't help much there.