I want to extend my C:\ drive and make another primary partition to install Ubuntu on. But when I open up the diskpart manager, I see that I already have 4 primary partitions (max)..., can anyone tell me what the purpose of the last 2 partitions is, and if I can delete them?:
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/Diskpart.jpg
hmm its hard to tell. Do they appear under My Computer?
Nope...they don't show up on My Computer.
My other option is use my portable HD, but I already have Mac OS on that, and I feel like Ubuntu will overwrite and mess up the bootloader...
i isntalled a linux distro before when i was running the windows 7 beta. It will install its own boot manager GRUB and from there you can choose between windows 7 and ubuntu. The point that im trying to make is that if eventually you want to remove ubuntu alltogether there might be problems. GRUB is a nightmare to remove (i ended up wiping my whole HDD to get rid of it). Also u cant simply delete the ubuntu partition because that will render you computer a brick. You wont be able to launch into windows or ubuntu.
Im just describing my experience, but installing on a thumb drive is possible though. I personally have ubuntu installed in virtualbox and it runs great.
If you want to play around with various distros of Linux and even other versions of windows, I can't recommend VirtualBox strongly enough. Not only does it only take like 5 minutes to install an OS under it, but you get full mouse pointer, cut/paste, drag and drop between windows and Linux (or windows and windows). And the hardware config is /ususaly/ incredibly fast and easy due to the virtualization of the hardware being a constant target.
VirtualBox is a dream for running Linux and Windows on the same machine. No partitioning or bootloader issues at all!
It's also free for personal use at home or at work!
Cool! I'll give that a try.
And OMG...I know what those 2 partitions are...they were created when I installed leopard and snow leopard thru my external hard drive. *Bangs his head against the wall
So this is your disk management snipshot
I will suggest you two alternatives so that you can get ubuntu installed.
1. Use Wubi - Ubuntu Installer for Windows . This is the easiest and the best way to unstall ubuntu in a windows machine . Most easy to install and uninstall. Sets up dual boot menu automatically . I strongly recommend you to use this option, if you dont have an ample experience with ubuntu installation and GRUB. Here you dont need any other partition, too. It installs ok in windows partition ( more info in the link )
2. Partition Wizard Bootable CD allows user to boot computer directly to manage partition. . Download and burn it in a cd (use imgburn ,recommended). Boot up from it, and delete the last two partitions using it, create a new one there, set it primary. It is enough space for ubuntu. But if you want to proceed in this way at first get a Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup , and still there may be a chance to mess up with MBR . So keep it in hand Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs — The NeoSmart Files
I hope you are not confusedBut if I had been in place of you, I'd go with the first option
DaRonRon and fseal: I just installed virtual box and it runs pretty well! However, it's a bit slow, and actually the main reason I wanted to install Linux so that I would be more productive - I have too many video games on windows lol.
Arc: Thanks for the suggestion, I will try Wubi right now and see how it goes!
yes you can in the new virtualbox. I have all the effects set on. They're awesome man, i dont even think windows 7 aero effects compare.
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