Windows 7 concurrently with Linux?

[DextrousDave]

Hi All

Would like to know, I want to install Ubuntu Linux(latest version)
concurrently with Windows 7 Ultimate(x86), so that I can Use both OS on my PC and just boot from whichever one I want. Is that possible, if so, advisable?

My specs: 2048MB RAM; Intel Core 2 Quad 2.66GHz

Thanks

 

[boyans]

You can install Ubuntu using the option to install its boot record to the partition instead of installing to MBR (Master Boot Record - only one for the whole disk !)
(it will give a warning which can be ignored).

Later a boot entry for Ubuntu in Windows BCD (Boot Config Data) store can be added to boot Ubuntu.
Windows boot manager will be responsible for booting Windows 7 and Ubuntu.

Ubuntu can be installed on any partition type - primary or logical - and it is good to have some 20 GB of unpartitioned space for Ubuntu (installation will create two partitions -> root and swap).

To add a boot entry for Ubuntu in Windows BCD store:
1. Create boot sector loader.
2. Copy the file /boot/grub/boot.img from Ubuntu over to Windows \boot folder.
3. Amend boot sector loader to point to boot.img.

To access files in Ubuntu from Windows - download and install "ext2fsd" - version 0.50 works great for me.

If you need help on creating a boot sector loader - http://boyans.my3gb.com and read how to.

 

[dreamer]

Or better download EasyBCD from here EasyBCD - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com and add boot entry for ubuntu there.

 

[boyans]

EasyBCD uses third party loader/boot manager.
The clean way is without introducing non-Windows or non-Ubuntu loaders/boot managers.

 

[pparks1]

Do you absolutely have to have a multiboot? Could you instead install something like virtualbox or vmware player and run Ubuntu instead as a VM?

 

[dreamer]

EasyBCD uses third party loader/boot manager.
The clean way is without introducing non-Windows or non-Ubuntu loaders/boot managers.

I may not be that much of an computer expert but can you please explain to me what you mean by clean way here??

I am using EasyBCD for quite some time now and i haven't found any problems yet with this utility,in fact it has made dual booting an easy process.

 

[Mark Phelps]

The advice that I will give is that you will be presented with a couple of options when you go to install Ubuntu, neither of them very good:
1) Install inside Windows using Wubi. This is OK for short-term use since it eliminates the partitioning step, but it's not a good choice for long-term use, and upgrading from one release to another typically causes problems.
2) Install to a separate partition using the side-by-side option and dragging the slider to "shrink" the Win7 install. Also generally NOT a good option, as GParted is used to shrink the Win7 OS partition and has a history of causing problems with Win7 when it does this. Instead, use the Win7 Disk Management utility to shrink the Win7 OS partition. And leave the unallocated space alone -- do NOT format it in Win7.

Also, you should know that 11.10, the latest version, is turning out to be real buggy. There are a LOT of posts on the Ubuntu forums about installs not working with this version. If you're new to Ubuntu, you should consider the previous 11.04 version instead.

For more details, please go to the Ubuntu forums and post there.