Partition help for dual boot on netbook

[deepla]

Hi i am relatively new to Linux and i am planning to dual boot Lucid with windows 7 in my new HP net book ( Mini 210). The machine came with windows 7 starter . It has 160 GB hard disk space and 1 GB ram . I see that there are already 4 primary partitions in it.

1.System (system, active, primary 199 MB ntfs)

2.C (boot,primary , page file ,crash dump 137 GB ntfs)

3.Recovery (D) [ primary partition 11.4 GB ntfs]

4.HP tools (E) [primary partition 103 MB fat]

I was thinking of shrinking the C drive with windows disk management tool and create another partition there for Ubuntu. But will it be possible for me to create one more primary partition for ubuntu ? As I understand, there can only be max 4 primary partitions possible. What should i do ? Can any one please help.

[rokytnji]

You are correct

As I understand, there can only be max 4 primary partitions possible

Unfortunately. I don't own one of those netbooks . I can't coach you on what partition to make a extended partition (which will destroy the data on that partition anyways) So be patient and maybe some other more knowledgeable
member will coach you through what needs to be done. It looks like all those partitions are import ant for that netbook. So don't proceed till you get a better answer than mine.

[deepla]

Thanks mate. I will wait.

[devils casper]

There is no scope for a new partition. You can create a lot of new partitions in Extended Partition but problem is, you have to delete one of the Primary Partition first.
I am not sure if System Rescue/Recovery will work after deleting any partition. You have to decide if you can manage Windows OS without recovery option.

[rokytnji]

I have a idea. You can take it or leave it. What do you think about running Ubuntu Linux as a persistent SD Flash drive. There will be no need to mess with the internal Hardrive or with any partitions on that drive. The only hassle is you will use the bios boot order to pick either boot off the flash drive (which will be where grub boot loader will be installed) or pick the internal Windows 7 as first boot.

I have done this setup on my Asus EEEPC 900 but with AntiX 8.2 for over a year.

This can be done with Ubuntu also.
For a reference. My how I did AntiX 8.2 Below. Just substitute Ubuntu.

http://="http://yatsite.blogspot.com...-eee-900.html"
UBuntu specific below

Ubuntu How to

[deepla]

Thank you Casper for your warning. I cannot take the risk of loosing the option of recovering winodws completely as the net book did not come with a recovery cd . They also did not give a serial number for windows 7 starter . But I have made recovery dvds as sooon i bought the net book as they adviced . I am not sure if they can do the job without the recovery partition drive D.

Rokyntji, your idea is excellent and will suit me.will try it out.

I was wondering if it is possible to make an exact image of the drive D ( recovery drive) and store it in a external hard drive or something . Then i can format this drive and load ubuntu into it . If winodws get corrupted , I should be able to load the image into this drive and fix it. Once it is done, I will be loading Ubuntu again into Drive D. If it has to work, I should be able to load the image into the netbook harddrive while working from a bootable pendrive (running linux ) as the netbook does not have cd drive and external cd drive does not seem to boot. I have no idea if this will work or how to go aboout it ......

[rokytnji]

Drive imaging is not my forte. DC (Devils Casper) and other members are more experienced with such procedures.

First. I might suggest you download the Windows Version of
Unetbootin
and install the exe. in Windows first. Unetbootin has the capability of making live pendrives of Linux Distros like Ubuntu and Parted Magic (which I believe has the tools for mirroring/cloning Hardrives and partitions).

My advise is to first make a live Ubuntu pendrive using unetbootin in Windows. Boot up the pendrive. Choose run with out any changes (not install on menu) and run the pendrive live first to see how you like how it runs on your computer. Test drive so to speak.

If happy with it or not. You can try Mint Linux, Open Suse, etc... by downloading any of those live isos and installing those isos to the USB using Unetbootin also and test drive those running as a live usb.

Edit: I should mention that running live usb with Unetbootin will not save changes on reboot. You will be greeted by a fresh Desktop and applicatioins running live. Even changing the wallpaper won't be saved on reboot or homepage in browser. Running live is like a virgin boot on every reboot. That is why persistence is used in live installs like AntiX using the antiX2usb installer inside antiX (only works for AntiX that I know of so far. Though some Mepis users are testing it out on their Mepis 8.5 installs), It makes another partition on flash drive that saves changes like new application installs and wallpaper and theme changes, etc....

Live CD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Once you settle on what floats your boat so to speak. Then
start a new thread on how you want to mirror Windows 7 to a external drive. The parted magic link I gave you is also a live iso image. Which means Parted Magic can be ran live just like any live linux operating system. Be sure to be concise and descriptive in your new thread. Good Luck, Have Fun, and Happy Trails, Rok

[deepla]

Thank you Rokitnji. I installed into the pendrive and it is working well. It is an 8 GB flash drive. Hope this is enough. I will be installing a few programs like tux paint, adobe and miro. Lucid does not detect the wireless. May be it is because i tried the release candidate ( I had an iso of release candidate ready with me). Should i do a fresh install with a fresh download of final release or updating this system is enough ?

[rokytnji]

Should i do a fresh install with a fresh download of final release or updating this system is enough ?

Beats the heck out of me. I am still running 8.04LTS and 8.10 Easy Peasy and 9.10. All mine run wireless (Even my Desktops). But I have more practise at it than you.

For Wireless Issues. Your best bet is to follow these instructions Here before you start a wireless thread Here.

I know the feeling about getting excited and wanting to do too much at once after succesfully getting Linux to boot up. I still remember that feeling of excitement. Just take a deep breath. Grab a coffee or tea (I do tea) and enjoy and be patient. It will all come together with time and you will be smarter for it.

[rokytnji]

It is an 8 GB flash drive. Hope this is enough

It is plenty. I run AntiX "/" (root) partition on a 4 gig SSD on my Asus Netbook,