Partitioning an Ubuntu-WinXP System

gravity · Post by **gravity** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:15 pm

I need to partion my Ubuntu Linux hard drive to be able to boot into WinXP so that I can set up my Linksys Wireless WEP stuff, as Linksys only has .exe versions of the setup, and no .dmg versionsfor OSX users. I don't even want to know why, as their stuff sells at the Apple store.

And, as my Linux computer is only for Gimp usage and spare space at the point, and I know it can run my old copy of WinXP (that actually came with that computer originally), it reall would be betterto partion that hard drive instead of my main OSX one.

So, how do I partion the hard drive? Without using the internet, as I have no internet on my Linux computer currently (I can't use wireless on my Linux computer, and don't actually have internet at my house... yet, it gets installed on Thursday.).

edge · Post by **edge** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:00 pm

You can use any number of partition utilities for Linux to accomplish this. IIRC, parted can resize partitions. (Somebody correct me if I'm mistaken -- it's been a while)

The only thing to keep in mind is, if you install Windows, it will overwrite your MBR and Linux will no longer boot. You'll have to go back and reinstall grub or lilo by hand.

As an alternative, have you tried ndiswrapper? It works with quite a few cards/driver packages.

In short, it allows you to use Windows drivers for wireless cards within Linux. To use it, you'll need a bit of understanding with the CLI, some patience, and a way to get the packaged contents out of the .exe file. (You can try to use tar to take it apart -- this sometimes works if it's just a self extracting archive)

gravity · Post by **gravity** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:11 pm

I have no clue what you just said, edge, outside of that thing about Linux not booting.

pc486 · Post by **pc486** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:41 am

Installing XP will make Ubuntu not boot, so install XP first, then install Ubuntu. Everything should work if you install in that order. As always, make a current backup of your data before you install any OS.

As for your wireless card, it might work with Ubuntu. It may work out-of-the-box or with additional support, such as ndiswrapper. You can get to that detail later after Ubuntu is installed and both XP and Ubuntu are working.

gravity · Post by **gravity** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:09 am

Yes, but how do I partition the entire system, that's the question. I don't really care about the wireless card not working, but it's the Wireless Router that I'll need to set up, and that software isn't avilable in .dmg.

But thanks for the advice on the Ubuntu-Win XP install. It would have sucked to lose my Linux system and not know why.

MasteR · Post by **MasteR** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:19 am

It is possible to save the Linux install, but it might not be too easy. You would have to resize the linux partitions, install XP, boot with a Linux boot disk, and reconfigure (possibly manually) either GRUB or LILO and reinstall it in the MBR with options for both Linux and Windows boots. A pain, but it works.

Honestly, depending on what you have on the Linux box sometimes it's just easier to start from scratch and install Windows, then Linux.

gravity · Post by **gravity** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:24 am

Actually, a friend just informed me that the Linksys router firmware upgrades are no longer OSX compatable, and the router is now useless to me. So I don't need to partition the hard drive because I'm purchasing an OSX compatable router.

But tanks for the help.

Deacon · Post by **Deacon** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:42 am

Cross-posting here for thoroughness and timeliness:

[quote="Deacon";p="704525"]That makes absolutely no technological sense. I don't mean it was a stupid move on Linksys part (I like my V3), but rather than it sounds like pure gibberish. Neither a system's hardware platform nor OS make any difference as to whether it can communicate via (TCP/)IP, nor whether it can function as a NAT device. What leads you to believe you must update your router's firmware, anyway?

gravity, IM me on AIM when you get a chance. I may be able to help you set it up.[/quote]

edge · Post by **edge** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:56 pm

Agreed -- I have a Linksys router with wireless built in as well, and I have used both the most recent Linksys firmware as well as HyperWRT, both of which worked just fine with my Macs.

MasteR · Post by **MasteR** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:03 pm

If it didn't work with all TCP/IP capable OS's I would say it is a POS router, but I havn't heard of one that is that way.

Now the setup program is a different story. If they provide a binary, it might only work with one OS. Windows in this case. Have you tried running it in Wine/Darwine?

Does your router allow setup through a web interface? Try logging into your router through you web browser via it's IP address. Most routers also allow upgrading the firmware via the web interface.

Post by **Martin Blank** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:10 am

The setup shouldn't even be strictly necessary. What model router is it?

And for goodness' sake... DON'T USE WEP. Use WPA at least, or preferably WPA2. In order for WinXP to use WPA2, you must have compatible drivers and install this patch:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357

Deacon · Post by **Deacon** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:15 am

Martin Blank, does Vista at least come with WPA2 capabilities out of the box? It's sad that my old G4 Mac Mini supports it with no problem out of the box, but XP (even SP2) doesn't.

Post by **Martin Blank** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:20 am

Yep. Vista's wireless support is pretty good, actually (although there's apparently no support for Atheros cards built into it).

Speaking of which, a little tip for a multi-boot system: Install WinXP, then Vista-32, then Vista-64, then Linux. It makes life so much easier.

Deacon · Post by **Deacon** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:28 am

My tip: get an eSATA-capable external drive enclosure, slip a separate drive in there, and use that. Play around with Vista for as long as you desire, then reboot with drive powered down to revert to a production-ready OS without irksome little driver and software incompatibility issues.

Hopefully most of the industry will catch up with Vista, if it's really All That and the worthy XP replacement it sounds like it should be.

gravity · Post by **gravity** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:20 pm

So I decided to try and do that entire "oh, you can set it up with your web browser no problem" thing with my Linux computer.

Yeah. No problem. If you want, I can sell you a bridge in Brooklyn as well.

I'm 401 unauthorized person for my little router. Just like I was when I tried it in OSX. Just like when I followed Linksys instructions. So, does anyone else going to attempt to tell me that this thing works for non Windows computers without hard eathernet cables? Because I'm still not seeing it.

Real Life Forums

Partitioning an Ubuntu-WinXP System

Partitioning an Ubuntu-WinXP System

Who is online