I think we DESPERATLY need a grub/winXP newbie HowTo

Thu Oct 28 10:21:09 UTC 2004

sorry, scrap that, looks like the Partion Resizer can't resize NTFS.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ubuntu-users-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
> [mailto:ubuntu-users-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com]On Behalf Of 
> Richard Barry
> Sent: 28 October 2004 11:17
> To: ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> Subject: RE: I think we DESPERATLY need a grub/winXP newbie HowTo
> 
> 
> the Partition Resizer is free (http://www.zeleps.com/).  
> DISCLAIMER: I haven't used it, ever, just found with google.
> 
> Just an idea: Wouldn't it be great for newbies to have an 
> option in the installer to "partition using free space on 
> windows drive" (like in Mandrake, my second most favourite 
> distro)?  The installer could then automatically resize the 
> NTFS partition, create the necessary partitions in the free 
> space, format and continue, without any user interaction.  
> That would give an ideal default option to newbies wanting to 
> dual-boot.
> 
> For now then maybe a HOWTO that describes how to resize your 
> NTFS partition in windows using tPR (or similar, ie Partition 
> Magic), and then the steps to follow in the installer to 
> install Ubuntu to the new free space.
> 
> Richard
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ubuntu-users-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
> > [mailto:ubuntu-users-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com]On Behalf Of 
> Ben Edwards
> > Sent: 28 October 2004 10:52
> > To: bhn3 at pitt.edu
> > Cc: ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> > Subject: Re: I think we DESPERATLY need a grub/winXP newbie HowTo
> > 
> > 
> > What did you use to resize - is there a free util that works 
> > with 2000/XP?
> > 
> > Ben
> > 
> > On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 18:01:53 -0400, Ben Novack 
> > <bennovack at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I resized my XP partition before I began the process, had Ubuntu
> > > install into the empty space, and I've been merrily 
> > dual-booting ever
> > > since.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 17:51:43 -0400, Mike Clark 
> > <mike.clark at hamot.org> wrote:
> > > > I have done numerous XP/Grub installs and Ive never had a 
> > problem. If
> > > > your referring to the fedora debacle with grub and making XP not
> > > > bootable that has been fixed. It wasnt Distro Specific, 
> > it was a kernel
> > > > issue. Lets say for some odd reason it does 'trash your 
> > windows install'
> > > > just look up fedora/xp dual boot fix and you will find 
> > that this command
> > > > fixes it completely. (sfdisk -d /dev/hda | sfdisk 
> > --no-reread -H255
> > > > /dev/hda) The site with this info is 
> > http://lwn.net/Articles/86835/ . If
> > > > you ever want to wipe the MBR and start over, get rid of 
> > LILO of GRUB.
> > > > Just boot to your XP cd and type 'fixmbr' at the prompt. 
> > Reboot and your
> > > > back to your lovely XP install. Honestly tho, when you 
> > are partitioning
> > > > for your UBUNTU install do not touch the partition that 
> > reads NTFS/DOS
> > > > and you will be fine. Thats all.
> > > >
> > > > >>> Ben Edwards <funkytwig at gmail.com> 10/27/2004 4:55:01 PM >>>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I have been hanging around the IRC channel a little bit 
> as well as
> > > > keeping an eye on the User List.  I am increasingly 
> > getting the idea
> > > > doing a dual boot Ubuntu-WinXP install is a VERY bad 
> > idea.  I think it
> > > > is something to do with the difference in which grub and windows
> > > > addresses disk space - in lilo this was not a problem.
> > > >
> > > > This is a real problem because a lot of windows users 
> > wanting who want
> > > > to try Ubuntu will try this and lose access to there Windows
> > > > partition.    this is something that needs addressing - 
> > The headline
> > > > 'Ubuntu trashed my Windows machine' send chills up my spine.
> > > >
> > > > This is not just a WinXP issue - someone at our local LUG 
> > wanted to
> > > > try Ubuntu.  they previously had SusE and had real grub 
> problems -
> > > > they posted to the user list and did not get a reply.
> > > >
> > > > A Newbie, who is not used to using mailing lists and 
> IRC may well
> > > > panic - swear and reinstall windows.
> > > >
> > > > Indeed a lot of the grub / WinXP problems are not getting 
> > responses on
> > > > the Mailing list - I am sending people to IRC but this is 
> > not ideal -
> > > > for one thing the answers are not being archived.
> > > >
> > > > So I think we need a WinXP & a grub howto/troubleshooting 
> > document for
> > > > Newbees - and possibly a what to do if have problems 
> > installing dual
> > > > boot.
> > > >
> > > > Currently the wiki is being frozen while it is migrated to a new
> > > > system.  I am not technical enough to write the document but if
> > > > someone wanted to volunteer and send it to me I will make 
> > sure your
> > > > work is not wasted (I am posting this to the user/ devl 
> > and docs list,
> > > > those on the docs list obviously do not need to post it 
> > to me but it
> > > > would be good if they could tell me if they are doing this).
> > > >
> > > > Ben Edwards
> > > > Documentation Team
> > > >
> > > > PS apologies to the moderator of the devel list - could 
> you please
> > > > moderate this through
> > > > --
> > > > Ben Edwards - Poole, UK, England
> > > > WARNING:This email contained partisan views - dont ever 
> > accuse me of
> > > > using the veneer of objectivity
> > > > If you have a problem emailing me use
> > > > http://www.gurtlush.org.uk/profiles.php?uid=4
> > > > (email address this email is sent from may be defunct)
> > > >
> > > > --
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> > > > ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> > > > http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
> > > >
> > > > --
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> > > > http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
> > > >
> > > 
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> > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > Ben Edwards - Poole, UK, England
> > WARNING:This email contained partisan views - dont ever accuse me of
> > using the veneer of objectivity
> > If you have a problem emailing me use
> > http://www.gurtlush.org.uk/profiles.php?uid=4
> > (email address this email is sent from may be defunct)
> > 
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