New to Linux

[02ranger]

And I need help. I'm a complete noob to linux in any form. I've been wanting to try it out for some time because I've heard it's much more stable and secure than windows. I finally decided to install Ubuntu 9.10 on my desktop. I was gonna install it alongside Windows Vista, but for some reason the install program won't see my main hard drive. It's a WD Raptor 74GB. It will see my second hard drive, which is an IDE WD HDD. I found one website that talked about making sure all RAID settings were disabled, but that didn't work. I don't have it set up in a RAID array. When I boot to the Live CD of Ubuntu, I can see both hard drives just fine. If anybody has any advice or can point me in the right direction I'd greatly appreciate it. From what I've seen of Linux I think I'll really like it, I've just got to get it actually installed first. Thanks again.

 

[Loop2kil]

During the partitioning section of the Ubuntu install, make sure you check on the right hand side of the screen as there is a drop down menu with the other partitions and can be overlooked easily.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Why not install it in a VM instead via VirtualBox? I never got dual booting.

 

[02ranger]

I tried what you suggested, and the install does in fact see my Raptor HDD. The only way I can access that hard drive in install is to choose the option to format, then I can select it from the drop down list. I was trying to use the "Install them side by side" option to see how that works, and it said the pc has no operating systems. Is there some reason why it won't show the raptor hard drive up top where it shows my second hard drive? I was trying to avoid formatting my Vista install if possible, but I may do it anyway.

As far as a VM, I've just never really messed with them before so it never really crossed my mind. It's definitely an option I'll have to keep in mind.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[lxskllr]

I tried what you suggested, and the install does in fact see my Raptor HDD. The only way I can access that hard drive in install is to choose the option to format, then I can select it from the drop down list. I was trying to use the "Install them side by side" option to see how that works, and it said the pc has no operating systems. Is there some reason why it won't show the raptor hard drive up top where it shows my second hard drive? I was trying to avoid formatting my Vista install if possible, but I may do it anyway.

As far as a VM, I've just never really messed with them before so it never really crossed my mind. It's definitely an option I'll have to keep in mind.

Thanks again for the help.

You'll have to partition your existing drive if you want to use it. That could be difficult depending on how the existing files are laid out. If the data on that drive's important to you, you'll also want to back it up before partitioning.

That's a lot of trouble to just trial Ubuntu. I'd use the wubi feature, and install it inside of Vista. Your performance won't be as good as a native install, but it'll be much better than running off the CD. There's very little chance of you hosing your Vista install that way also.

http://wubi-installer.org/

 

[02ranger]

I decided to just format my computer anyway. I've been tossing the idea around for a while now, and i've got my laptop with vista also, so I've got Windows if I need it. I actually had to install twice, because it wouldn't boot after the first install to my desktop. I think it had something to with my hard drive setup. The raptor drive is a SATA drive while my extra drive is IDE. Apparently, Linux saw the IDE drive as the first hard drive rather than the SATA drive and put the bootloader there. I couldn't figure out how to fix the boot problem, so I unhooked the IDE drive, reinstalled Ubuntu with just the SATA drive present, and it works perfectly. Being as I don't know the first thing about Linux, I may just sound like a moron here. haha. I haven't had a chance to reattach my IDE drive yet, am I looking at problems when I do or will Ubuntu handle the addition of the drive like Windows would? Thanks for all the help.

 

[lxskllr]

You'll be good to go. Hook up the drive, and Linux will see it fine.

 

[02ranger]

Cool. Thanks for your help. So far I'm loving Linux. It's a challenge and that's what I wanted out of it.