Ubuntu Failure - Help Resetting

[yoda]

Well, since the network isn't working either I'd say a reinstall from CD is probably the quickest fix.

When doing so, do the partitioning manually, using the existing partitions (with the large one set to be the "/" or "root" partition and the other set to "swap")

[den160593]

Could you recommend a good guide to doing that?

[yoda]

Not really - I find following the steps from "Install" on the live CD or alternate CD simple enough, but then I live and breathe computers.  You could google for "guide to installing Ubuntu" - there's thousands of links

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=%22guide+to+installing+Ubuntu%22

Pick one that looks good to you

[den160593]

Yes, but don't I have to un-install it first? That comes up with results telling me how to install Ubuntu (http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=guide+to+uninstalling+Ubuntu&btnG=Search&meta=)

Or does the installation replace the current one?

[yoda]

Installation can overwrite whatever you have on the hard-drive (including any Windows partitions if you have them).

Just a matter of (during the installation) using the MANUAL partitioning and picking the right existing partitions.  You should be able to tell which they are by their TYPE (ext3 and linux-swap for Linux*, FAT or NTFS for Windows)

Choose the ext3 partition as the root ("/") drive and the one marked as "linux-swap" as the swap drive (if it's there).  Alternatively, you can DELETE those partitions and get Ubuntu to set itself up in the resulting unused partition(s).

Note: you can find out what partitions there are with the following command:
sudo fdisk -l

(that's a lowercase L at the end, not a capital i or number one)

[den160593]

Ok, just to clear up some things. I DON"T want my Windows system wrecked, I have a backup, but yes it's where I do most of my work.

So if I do it, it will over-write it yes? Is that by default, or do I have to do something else?

Thanks heaps for your help as well!

[yoda]

Ok, just to clear up some things. I DON"T want my Windows system wrecked, I have a backup, but yes it's where I do most of my work.

So if I do it, it will over-write it yes? Is that by default, or do I have to do something else?

If you let Ubuntu use the whole hard-drive (which IS the default), you WILL lose everything on it, including Windows

If however you MANUALLY choose the partitions to use (and leave the Windows partition/s well alone), nothing would happen to the Windows installation.

If you do not have ANY Linux partitions, you can set up Linux within Windows. 
See http://seogadget.co.uk/the-ubuntu-installation-guide/

[den160593]

I ran the command. I do have Linux partitions, however I have some unusual things (which hopefulyl you could explain)

Disk /dev/sda

Device Boot goes from /dev/sda1 - 3... then has a gap and continues from /dev/sda 6-9. Why's this?

Also, device /dev/sad2 has a weird ID of f and is called a W95 Ext'd. What does this mean? The other ones are all HPFS/NTFD and have an ID of 7

Lastly, /sda9 has an ID of 83 and is called Linux. Is this in some way special?

Thanks
-Den

[yoda]

That sounds like a lot of partitions and the gap is probably some unpartitioned (unused) space. 

ID 83 is a regular Linux partition (which is where you'd install Ubuntu)
ID 7 is a Windows NTFS partition (Windows 2000/XP/Vista?)
ID f is a Windows 95 extended partition

[den160593]

Hmmm, ok so how can I check where my current Windows XP is installed so that I don't overwrite that space?

[yoda]

Hmmm, ok so how can I check where my current Windows XP is installed so that I don't overwrite that space?

If you install Linux in the partition with ID 83 only (/dev/sda9), Windows should not be affected.

[den160593]

Ok i'll give it a go, wish me luck :)

[WikiWill]

* WikiWill crosses fingers...

[Vajras]

  at WW +1

[den160593]

Fixed it! Thanks heaps everyone!  :aus1: BoincAustralia support beats Ubuntu Support :)

Re-install fixed it, although for some reason it still remembers all my cookies in FireFox and everything.... meh :)

Just wondering two things. Firstly, how do I get firefox to display Microsoft XP style fonts and everything, cos it all looks weird.

Secondly, can I make it auto-connect to my wireless network? Because now i have to manually add it.

Thirdly, can I make Windows XP default boot for now?