How to install linux on a partition?

[ghosty1212]

I own an Acer Aspire 5100 laptop with Windows Vista pre-loaded onto a laptop. I've recently been trying to install ubuntu/xubuntu but I can't do it. Whenever I try to install from LiveCD, the problem is that it shows up and it says something about a root not being defined or something.... Anyways, I've created a seperate partition consisting of 15 GB, and I wanted to Tri-Boot with Windows Vista installed. Yes I want Windows Vista installed, mostly for work-related things. Anyways, How do I Tri-Boot my system with Xubuntu/Ubuntu?

[oz]

The installation of Linux requires one or more partitions, and then mount points.

You have to have at least one partition as the designated mount point for root to install Linux. In addition, if you don't have at least 1 GB of RAM, you might need a SWAP partition. Some users install Linux with additional partitions and mount points such as a /home partition.

It sounds like your installation is looking for the root partition to install Linux on. Pay close attention during the installation and you'll see an option to assign your partitions the needed mount points and filesystem type.

Regarding mount points, partition size, and filesystem...

For root ( / ), I usually go with an ext3 (file system) on a partition of about 8 to 12 GB.

For SWAP, I use about 512 MB.

For /home, I use about 8 to 12 GB again setup as ext3.

Hope this helps.

/

[ghosty1212]

All right thanks. But is it good enough to have 768 MB of RAM? That came with the laptop, but no doubt I'll upgrade soon enough. Thanks.

[devils casper]

768MB RAM is enough. I have 512MB only. Ubuntu and all other distros work fine. No problems at all.

[oz]

Yeah, Casper is right, and you probably don't need a SWAP file.

I've got 1 GB of RAM and my 512 SWAP never even gets touched, so I really don't need mine, either. I only keep the SWAP on board because I have a large hard drive and storage space is unimportant. In fact, I have about 60 GB of space that I've never partitioned.

Have fun installing and using Linux.

[jmadero]

Just burn an iso of your linux of choice (I run Ubuntu and it's been fun and easy to alter), Anything over 256 runs really smooth, I have 2 gigs of RAM but I rarely use over 512 of it and I run quite a few processes. Probably give some swap just for backup but otherwise you should be good to go.

[ghosty1212]

lol, My windows vista requires me to use 1 GB but i have 768. it came with it. :P

[jmadero]

I would highly recommend going back to XP, Vista is having a ton of problems and it's a waste of all of your resources. XP is "solid" for a windows based machine, requires way less in terms of memory and storage space, has a lot more programs that functions perfectly with it. Overall Vista is just a waste right now. What I did (even with a higher end machine) was installed XP as my secondary OS (mainly for work reasons), and then put on the Vista Transformation Pack. It makes it so the system functions with XP's ease but has Vista's look. Also a free package by a talented bunch of Linux users I believe.

[ghosty1212]

But I wanted vista. That was the point of me purchasing it. I ddin't want it for the look, but because of the hardware demands, I am easliy able to house 3-4 linux distros on the machine without the linux os' twinging. That was a reason, and another one was because of work-related things.

[jmadero]

What kind of hardware demands are Vista only? I don't know of anything that only runs on Vista, there are a few games that have come out recently but they have been quickly cracked to work flawlessly on XP. I don't know, I just see Vista as a waste of resources, any OS that recommends 2 gigs of RAM you have to question. You can run a high end computer with XP, I'm running a 2.4 ghz Duo Core 2, 2 gigs of RAM, 256 meg video card, etc....it's perfectly Vista capable but XP and Ubuntu run smoother than Vista would ever run