[ SOLVED ] Installation Type

[Boulanger]

Thanks for the reminder.   Had to work out how to modify post header.

[firenice03]

Hi
firenice03
newtusmaximus
torreydale

Many thanks to you all.   Partitioned the disk and was able to install LL alongside Windows xp.   Now need to learn how to use it!
Again thanks and I'm sure I'll be posting again soon.

Good to hear!!
 

[newtusmaximus]

Enjoy :}  Please could you prefix the heading of your original post with SOLVED

[Boulanger]

 Hi
firenice03
newtusmaximus
torreydale

Many thanks to you all.   Partitioned the disk and was able to install LL alongside Windows xp.   Now need to learn how to use it!
Again thanks and I'm sure I'll be posting again soon.

[firenice03]

Hi Torreydale
That looks like a promising suggestion.   It seems logical that if the hard diskjust has Windows then LL would need to erase it and so the dual boot option would not be available.
I will give it a try.   Thanks

Its probably cause Windows "owns" the disk

Note these points (from the manual)

•     Create backup copies of any important data files. (You probably won't need them - but if you do, you'll be glad you made the backups.)
•     Create Windows recovery disk(s) if you haven't already done so before.
•     Defragment your largest Windows partition (likely the "C: drive"). If Windows partitions currently span the entire hard drive, one (or more) of its partitions will need to be shrunk down to make room for the Linux installation.
•    Shrink the Windows partition from within Windows disk management. (You can shrink the partition during the installation, but it is probably best to use Windows to shrink Windows partitions.)
•     If you defragmented and shrunk the Windows partition ahead of time, leave the resulting space as unpartitioned, unused, free space. DO NOT create any new partitions from within Windows for the Linux Lite installation. (If you are familiar with partitioning and want to create the partitions ahead of time, use GParted for doing that while booted in the live Linux Lite DVD/USB.)
•    If you plan to have the shrinking done by the installer, it is still recommended that you defragment the Windows partition ahead of time.

As with any major update/install there is risk - make sure you have back ups of your files/pictures etc..)
Once the disk is shrunk you should have space available for LL and then install with the along side...

*For future notes... Your are installing 2.8, 3.0 is in beta and will be available June 1... If you choose to upgrade to 3.0 it will need to be a fresh install (anything in a series can be upgraded 3.0 to 3.1 to 3.2 etc..).. But you'll be a pro after you install 
Don't worry thou 2.8 is based on Ubuntu LTS (long term support) and if I recall is supported until 2019...

[newtusmaximus]

Have you a large USB flash drive ( 4GB or more).  Perhaps you could make it so that you can fully run  LL from that, so you don/t need to fiddle with your hard drive.  http://www.pendrivelinux.com/category/install-to-usb-hard-drive/.   

[Boulanger]

Hi Torreydale
That looks like a promising suggestion.   It seems logical that if the hard diskjust has Windows then LL would need to erase it and so the dual boot option would not be available.
I will give it a try.   Thanks

[torreydale]

This might provide some insight:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/332268/install-unbuntu-13-04-alongside-windows-xp-pro-no-option

[newtusmaximus]

Firstly, have you
a) Backed up your important data on XP -!!!  i.e. to ensure that worst case scenario (data loss) is avoided.
b) run LL2.8 (32 bit?) as "live" from the usb.  Does everything work OK, LAN or Wifi, keyboard, mouse, sound,  screen etc?
c)  Have you tried your printer/scanner off "live" run?
d) What amount of free disc space do you have??

[Boulanger]

Thanks for your prompt response.
As i said I'm a real beginner so you'll have to bear with me.
Just to fillyou in with some details.   I have a Dell Dimension 5150 desktop with Pentium 4 and 3Gb RAM running windows xp 32bit.   Bios system.  I havn't opted to shrink disk.   The hard disk is 160Gb of which 110 is free.

I havn't had the courage to go down the 'Something else' route - the Installation Guide warns 'for advanced users only'.

[firenice03]

Not exactly certain why its not seeing the Windows install..??..
Just for confirmation...
32-bit or 64-bit?
Is this a UEFI system? - Did you have to turn off secure boot or enable legacy mode?
Have you opted to shrink the disk?
Is there enough disk space?

Curious what happens if you choose "Something Else"? (from the install)
"Something Else" is the manual way - you'll be viewing the disk/partitions in gparted..
- Do you see the Windows partition?

More info maybe needed but this should be help...

[Boulanger]

I'm a complete beginner with Linux  and want to run Lite alongside Windows xp.
I downloaded Lite 2.8  and have made a bootable usb.   When trying to install I get to the Installation Type but this does not have a radio button showing 'Install Linux alongside them' as shown on  page 8 of the Linux Lite Installation Guide which I am following.
Can someone please help.