Installing Ubuntu to Specific (Existing) Partition

[ulrichomega]

Greetings.

I am a complete newbie to the world of Linux, and couldn't readily find the answer to this question with Google or a search of the forums.

So my question is: How do I install Ubuntu to a partition that I have already created, while still being able to dual-boot with Windows Vista? My drive set-up is like this (I apologize for how sloppy it is, when I was creating it I kind of went crazy trying to figure out how it worked): I have three partitions that are roughly 50GB each, the first one has Windows installed on it. I then have three more partitions, each of which is roughly 200GB in size (it is a 1Tb drive). These are just logical partitions.

Whenever I try to install Linux, there are the usual three options. However, when I tell it to install alongside Windows, it wants to install to one of the logical partitions. I want it to install to one of the smaller partitions. I don't have a back-up drive that I can back-up all of my files to, and so I'm reluctant to do anything that would affect the three bigger partitions, which is where I have all of my data (games, pictures, etc.)

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

15GB for root partition and 2GB SWAP space is more than enough for Desktop User. I would suggest you to resize existing partitions and create 2 new partitions, Disk Utility package is available in Ubuntu LiveCD and its one of the best Partition Manager.

15GB, ext4 for /
2 GB SWAP.

Start Ubuntu installation and select Manual Partitioning in Partition Section. Select ext4 partition and assign it / mount point. Continue installation. Installer will detect SWAP and Windows OS partition. It will setup dual boot itself.

If you have any confusion, boot up from Ubuntu LiveCD, open Terminal and execute this

sudo fdisk -l

Post output here.
* Its small L in fdisk -l.

[ulrichomega]

So use the disk utility package to resize the existing partition (the 50 GB one) into the partitions you mentioned. I'm vaguely familiar with the concepts of SWAP partitions. Vaguely.

My concern is the Manual Selection of the partitions, as it looks to me like that would create entirely new partitions across the entire disk, which would mess-up the partitions I set up in Windows. Is that the case, or is manually selecting partitions in the installer (the third option in the installer, right?) misleading in it's function?

Two more things. When I first booted up the disk, it gave me the screen to select languages. It was set on English, but I was unable to move the selector around with the keyboard (or even do anything with the keyboard at all). How much of a problem is this? I assume that once Ubuntu is installed, it won't be a huge problem, but if I ever want to do anything directly from the disk (thinking about it, the Disk Utility Package thing), what do I have to do?

Second thing, slightly off topic. There are ~90 people viewing this forum, but it took a long time for anybody to even look at my thread (judging by the views number). Is there something I'm missing, here?

[devils casper]

My concern is the Manual Selection of the partitions, as it looks to me like that would create entirely new partitions across the entire disk, which would mess-up the partitions I set up in Windows. Is that the case, or is manually selecting partitions in the installer (the third option in the installer, right?) misleading in it's function?

Manual Partitioning doesn't create any partition itself. Manual means, installer will wait for User Input for every step related to partitioning. If you have created partitions already, just assign mount_point. Thats it !

When I first booted up the disk, it gave me the screen to select languages. It was set on English, but I was unable to move the selector around with the keyboard (or even do anything with the keyboard at all). How much of a problem is this? I assume that once Ubuntu is installed, it won't be a huge problem, but if I ever want to do anything directly from the disk (thinking about it, the Disk Utility Package thing), what do I have to do?

Which type of Keyboard do you have? PS2 or USB?

There are ~90 people viewing this forum, but it took a long time for anybody to even look at my thread (judging by the views number). Is there something I'm missing, here?

You are not missing anything. Sometimes members take time to reply. It doesn't mean they are ignoring your thread.

[ulrichomega]

Manual Partitioning doesn't create any partition itself. Manual means, installer will wait for User Input for every step related to partitioning. If you have created partitions already, just assign mount_point. Thats it !

Ah. I was afraid to go any farther than that screen, because I didn't know what would happen. Thanks!

Which type of Keyboard do you have? PS2 or USB?

USB. It's a cheap Dynex that has alot of function buttons that I love.

You are not missing anything. Sometimes members take time to reply. It doesn't mean they are ignoring your thread.

I was just asking why there were 90 people viewing the forum, but there was noone posting anything. I guess I'm just used to forums where everyone who views posts.

[jayd512]

DC has the technical issue well in hand, so I'll give a little input on the other question:

I was just asking why there were 90 people viewing the forum, but there was noone posting anything.

Many of those viewing may be going through past threads looking for an answer to their own issue. Not everyone is here just to post. Many are directed here through a Google search.

[ulrichomega]

This is true. I hadn't that of that. Thanks.