Windows 7: Ubuntu Advice

So there's nothing to be done in work and I got bored. I looked up Ubuntu and decided I'd like to give it a go. Their site gives decent instructions on how to create a disc or USB to run straight off or install if you wish.

Can somebody in the know please give me advice in regards to disc partitioning and how much space I would need? I have about 200GB free on my HDD but plan to fill it soon, so don't want Ubuntu taking to much space.

Is there any sort of risks involved with the installing this? Can it harm my current 7 install?

So to summarise,
1) Is it as easy to install as Ubuntu make out?
2) Advice on partitioning. How do I go around setting them up and can they be easily removed if need be?
3) Risks.
4) Must have apps.

Any help will be much appreciated as usual.

Thanks.

I will not have all your answers and my only experience comes from the many posts that I have been involved with.

Here are the requirements
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/In...emRequirements

Based upon what I have learned it is very easy to install, many have requested help after a sucesssful installation. The problems encountered had nothing to do with the installation, but rather the dual boot that was required. Some uninstalling and not being able to boot windows. I think that is your biggest risk.
I have had situations where some were not able to boot Windows after installation, but that was not too common.
You would want to make a system image with the native software or to use Macrium Reflect and put the image in a safe place. In the event of any kind of problem you can fall back on the image and be ready to go
There have not been any reported problems with the partition process other than you may not be able to use the native partition software and would have to use some other software. This software has been mentioned and complimented in the past http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-...n-manager.html
Finally, wish you luck. There will be many more posters, who will give much more detailed advice. This is just the beginning, to give you something to think about.

Thanks for the info. If Windows doesn't boot it's not the end of the world really. I have all my files and software backed up so a clean install would be painless enough.

I'll maybe just have to read around a bit more and make sure to follow the most sound advice. Like you said, hopefully some more people can come along and help out.

Ill get you some useful threads

Just check this space now and then. I cant make new posts for each thread
ubuntu ???? no install !!!!

Just had a better thought. Put ubuntu in search and title only
http://www.sevenforums.com/search.php

Good man. Thanks.

With Ubuntu, it's very easy. What you want to perform is a wubi install. It's a special installer on the CD that you can run which will more or less install Ubuntu not into it's own partition, but rather into a folder on your existing C drive. It will then add an option to the windows boot loader so that when you turn on and boot up your machine, you will be given a choice to boot into Windows or Linux. And if you later decide that Ubuntu is not for you, simply boot into Windows, go to Add/Remove programs and uninstall Ubuntu. It really couldn't be easier and it leaves you with no real risk to your actual system.

Ubuntu most likely would only need about 8GB of space. The actual install will only use about 2-3GB of that...leaving you with 5+GB free for fooling around. When you install from wubi, it asks you how big of a hard drive you want. So, if you want to have some extra breathing room, just enter in 20GB and you should be all set.

I wouldn't worry right now about any "must have" apps. If you are new to Linux..the learning curve is going to be considerable and just getting around is going to take up a fair amount of time.

Thanks mate. So is this wubi install just an option provided by Ubuntu? It's not some sort of 3rd party thing? If so, do I just follow the infromation on their site on making the ISO disk and running from that? Cheers from your input.

Just a note of caution... Linux doesn't seem to play well with ATI graphics cards so I just stopped using it when I switched from Nvidia. I haven't tried the latest drivers though so please let us know how it goes.

Yep, it's an ubuntu feature - not a 3rd party app.

It essentially creates a bootable VHD.

Now I've got Ubuntu installed which was a breeze with Wubi. I can't get figure out how to get my wireless USB to connect to the internet. I've searched on-line to no avail.