Dual booting Linux/Windows

[Zambini]

Its been too long since I have done it last, so I need to get a refresher course

What I wanna do is probably do a 40gb/210gb (roughly) Linux/Windows

-I am leanin towards Ubuntu, since I've used it a lot and I like it.
-I also want to get Beryl or Compiz or XGL (I have no idea which.....) runnin on it.
-I want Windows to boot primarily (ie: if I just turn on the computer and not touch anything, Windows will boot)

So.... my checklist should include:
-Ubuntu CD
-Windows CD
-External HD with all my installation/driver/program/data files for windows


Now, should I partition my hard drive via Ubuntu, install ubuntu (that includes the pretty X interface [I wanna test it and make sure it works first], then install XP on the other partition, then go into the bootloader and change it so XP is the primary? [if so, how do I do that]


Thanks :) I have very little time to do this (I get back home on the 17th, pack up my compy and leave on the 20th), so any and all help is vastly appreciated

:) Thanks fellow tuxers

[Stormcrow]

You know, I JUST did this last night. What I would do is load up Windows first, and partition the amount of space you want to install it into, leaving the rest free. Install Windows into that partition. Then, grab Ubuntu, and during installation have it install with "Manual - use the largest continuous free space", which will use the space you left unallocated for the new partition. The GRUB loader will pick up XP automatically after reboot at the bottom under Other. I did this for Vista, using it's Shrink manager and it worked flawlessly.

I just read that Beryl has been discontinued, but Compiz comes installed automatically on Feisty.

[Zambini]

Oh yea, I completely forgot that Windows had a partitioner built in :P I should have remembered, cuz a while ago I created separate partitions for different things (ie: backup, media, documents, etc)

Sweet, Feisty it is :)
How do you think it'll run on my x1950? I know nVidia has drivers nice n cozy with Compiz.......

[Stormcrow]

ATi drivers are known for being craptastic on Linux, but the newer ones are getting better. You should expect about a 25% reduction in performance at the most, possibly less. People seem to be getting along just fine the X1K series, so you should be all set. I haven't used ATi for a few generations, and only Windows so I can't say from personal experience. This is my first time using Ubuntu, I toyed around with Redhat a couple of years ago and found everything to be a pain. As soon as it's finished updating, I've come across something called Envy which automatically detects your card, then downloads and compiles the newest drivers for it instead of having to do it manually. I'll let you know how it works for my 8800

[Zambini]

Is that for Ubuntu or anything?

Also, I've always had problems with MAKE (or whatever programs you use to run the "make install" commands) and any C++ compiler.
They never seem to be installed, and I can never successfully install them. :/
How can I make it so they work correctly? =?


I'd assume its a simple set of apt-get commands, combined with repositories i didn't have.

[Telexen]

If I remember correctly, Ubuntu doesn't have GCC installed by default. This is because it sucks.

However, I think "sudo apt-get install build-essential" should get everything you need to build from source.

You really shouldn't need to though, let the package manager handle everything.

[Zambini]

Ok, so I downloaded and burned Feisty to a disk, and booted into ubunutu, and went to "Enable Advanced Graphics" or whatever its called (turn on Compiz) , and the screen blanked white for about 20 seconds and then returned to normal.

Does that mean
a) the cd doesn't have good ati drivers
b) my x1950 won't run it


:(

[Hitman]

Install windows create two partitions, install linux, your done.

[Telexen]

Originally Posted by Zambini

Ok, so I downloaded and burned Feisty to a disk, and booted into ubunutu, and went to "Enable Advanced Graphics" or whatever its called (turn on Compiz) , and the screen blanked white for about 20 seconds and then returned to normal.

Does that mean
a) the cd doesn't have good ati drivers
b) my x1950 won't run it


:(

There are a million things it could be with an ATi card. That version of Ubuntu is too old to have the latests ATi drivers that are supposedly much better.

I've seen this link followed by a lot of people with luck. The other thing you have to check for is that to run Compiz/Beryl/Compiz-Fusion you need to enable XGL because those ATi drivers don't support composite. I'm sure it's easy to find a wiki or forum post that will show you how to check if that's been done and if not how to do it. (if you don't see any reference to XGL/AIXGL in /etc/X11/xorg.conf then it hasn't been enabled)

[Zambini]

Okay, well it fails and I've been trying for the past 2 hours trying to get either XGL or Compiz working, so I'm just gonna format my entire drive and leave a 40gb empty partition.