Thinkpads Forum

Hi all,

I'm using Win XP now but I'd like to install Ubuntu also.

Anything in particular to take into account ?

I have an 80 gb disk and I still have the Think Vantage hidden rescue partition there.

I'm thinking I should repartition with Partition Magic or similar to make about 10G of free space and then install ubuntu on that.

what about bootloaders ? does the standrad grub which comes with ubuntu work ? it doesn't mess up the thinkvantage functions at bootup ?

another question: is there a way to write all of the recovery data onto a DVD just to be safe ?

I run Ubuntu on my T41 with VMware. Works great and avoids all the problems you present. It also allows both systems to run at the same time - something that cannot be done with dual boot.
... JD Hurst

There are several posts here that show you how to install it without messing up the MBR. One thing that would be a good idea to put it in a partition after the WinXP partition just to be safe, along with locking the HPA by selecting "Secure" mode in the BIOS so you don't accidentally mess with the partition itself.

Also, I am not sure what you mean by "Recovery Data;" do you mean the RnR stuff or backing up Ubuntu?

jdhurst wrote:I run Ubuntu on my T41 with VMware. Works great and avoids all the problems you present. It also allows both systems to run at the same time - something that cannot be done with dual boot.
... JD Hurst

JD: a great idea !

with some help on IRC I've now installed ubuntu under VMware without having to repartition, reboot or anything !

Do you happen to know how the Ubuntu running in the VM can be made to show native 1400x1050 graphics ? Right now it runs at 1024x768 which looks soft/odd.

AW

If you're feeling really adventurous, you could try running Windows on the bare metal with Xen by using the virtualization technology in the Core 2 Duos

nevermind the 1400x1050 question, I figured it out already, you install vmware tools and tell it that your native resolution is 1400x1050, a reboot of the vm will then get you ubuntu running at 1400x1050

Any VM requires VMware Tools. Good luck with your system. ... JDH

jdhurst wrote:Any VM requires VMware Tools. Good luck with your system. ... JDH

Where I can get both vm &VMware tools ??? because when I order my first laptop I would like to learn about linux and what I have read, I think ubuntu is the best OS.

When you get the VMware application, it comes with VMware Tools. So, you install VMware, run VMware, build your guest OS, and then install the Tools. ... JD Hurst

creed_mty wrote:

jdhurst wrote:Any VM requires VMware Tools. Good luck with your system. ... JDH

Where I can get both vm &VMware tools ??? because when I order my first laptop I would like to learn about linux and what I have read, I think ubuntu is the best OS.

If you first install XP then XP is called your host OS.

You then want vmware server for windows:
http://www.vmware.com/products/free_virtualization.html

when installing it asks for a serial number, I just pressed 'skip' here.
when the installation finishes you need to create a virtual machine (VM). you specify how large a disk you want, how much memory, how the cd-rom and ethernet will work etc.
to run the VM you need the serial numbers. You get to the correct webpage from vmware server's help menu. The codes are generated for you once you fill in their web form.

I chose a fairly minimal system, 6gb disk and 512mb memory. The disk for your vm is stored on the host OS (xp in my case) as one single file. The memory is reserved for the vm, so you should leave some free for the host OS.

Now you are ready to boot the vm. Mine tried booting from CD and over ethernet, but naturally didn't boot as nothing was installed. I then mounted the Ubuntu 6.06 .iso file for the VM and rebooted and that started up the normal ubuntu installation process on the VM.

once you have ubuntu installed in the VM you install vmware tools from a menu in vmware server. that will mount a cd image for ubuntu where the correct files are. the advantage of vmware tools for me was that ubuntu now runs at native 1400x1050 resolution.

On my t60 with a t5600 processor and 2gb of ram Ubuntu runs just fine in the VM, but beare if trying it with an older machine...

AW

I know you're looking at vmware, but just to be useful, I've been running Ubuntu dual-booted on my T60p since the beginning. Most everything works and I couldn't be happier. I've recently upgraded to 6.10 "Edgy" and there have been no issues.

RichTL

awallin wrote: Anything in particular to take into account ?

I have an 80 gb disk and I still have the Think Vantage hidden rescue partition there.

I'm thinking I should repartition with Partition Magic or similar to make about 10G of free space and then install ubuntu on that.

what about bootloaders ? does the standrad grub which comes with ubuntu work ? it doesn't mess up the thinkvantage functions at bootup ?

The way that I installed my Ubuntu on my T60 was to just re-partition the hard drive leaving the ThinkVantage partition alone (it was at the end of the partition.) I destroyed the Windows partition and place 3 partitions in its place (a new windows, linux and swap).

Next I did a restore (from thinkvantage) into the C:\ to get windows back on the drive, then I installed Ubuntu.

After installing Ubuntu grub took over the booting of the hard drive but it automatically creates spots for Windows XP and the ThinkVantage Suite. I can now boot WindowsXP, Ubuntu and ThinkVantage from my Grub menu.

I've also run Ubuntu on my laptop over VMWare and that also works fine. I'd say for most that would be the best option as it only eats up as much HardDrive space as people require and can grab more as needed.

The only thing that you really miss out on with VMWare is accelerated graphics and a little performance due to the extra layer (which is fine for most things.)