Ubuntu Linux - Split Thread

[anonymez]

The setup in post #239 works (though admittedly it is from memory; One of my PCs is set up like that), it is within the limits.

Decided to partition thru the installer instead of GParted, but using that, I can't get the option to create any of the partitions as NTFS.

After the install completes, run GParted again and format to NTFS.

[katzdvd]

Well, I am further along in this process, or maybe it's like, "3 steps forward, 2 steps back", I don't know.

I am setup like this;

sda1 - windows NTFS - 30 gb.
sda2 - root ext3 - 20 gb
sda5 - home 15 gb
sda6 - swap 2 gb
sda7 - ntfs data 165 gb (approx)

Now I have (yet again) another problem.

I have tried installing 2 times now on the root directory, & I have the partitions set up as described earlier. After the install completes, & I reboot, a black screen appears with;

Error 17: Cannot mount selected partition

Press any key to continue...

Did plenty of searching, found references to GRUB worms & alot of code stuff that totally lost me, & quite frankly I don't wanna mess with at this point.

Simply put, how can I just get this thing to boot properly like before? I don't have windows installed on the first partition like before, and I have created the couple extra partitions, that is really the only difference...

[MilesAhead]

Simply put, how can I just get this thing to boot properly

Hmmm, trouble with Linux is once you get away from it and go back you make the same mistakes until you remember stuff. I'm going from memory but the partition problem seems familiar. I remember that nothing worked as expected unless the Extended Partition was the last one on the disk. IOW, make 3 Primary for whatever you want, then make the 4th partition an extended partition and subdivide it into as many logicals as you need. There may be docs saying you can stick the extended partition anywhere you like but I remember life being much easier when it was last on the disk.

[katzdvd]

Thanks MilesAhead for the info., I appreciate it.

anony-

I have tried to do as post #239 states, & for whatever reason, it will not work for me. Using Gparted, when I get 3 partitions created (2 primary & 1 extended) I get the message that I cannot create any more partitions. The 2 primary are for windows & ubuntu, the 1 extended which I made 15gb is for home.

After that, I am trying to create linux-swap & it just will not allow me to do it.

The ONLY way I was able to get them all created is;

To make the first 2 primary parts; THEN Create an extended partition using the remainder of the size left over (200gb), & then create logical ones in the extended area. (home/swap/data) Again, that is the only way that it seems to be working for me.

If I create it like that, will all be setup to work ok?

[katzdvd]

Update: Back in business, or so it would seem .

sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 1 3647 29294496 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 3648 6079 19535040 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 6080 7991 15358140 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 7992 30401 180008325 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 7992 8257 2136613+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda6 8258 30401 177871648+ 83 Linux

Only sda 1 & 6 are the only ones in "computer" (& filesystem)
& only sda 1 & 6 show up on the desktop.

From my research I believe I need to edit fstab to get them to appear in computer & on desktop, but I don't know what cli to edit fstab with...

Any help?

[MilesAhead]

I seem to remember 'pico' was usually installed by default.
If you're coming from Windows it's a pretty easy to use editor.

Of course I haven't messed with Linux seriously in a couple of
years so things might have changed. But if it isn't there it's
prolly available for download.

[anonymez]

Was away from the keyboard for a bit, but glad you got it sorted katz.

but I don't know what cli to edit fstab with...

gksudo gedit /etc/fstab

and unless you've already figured everything out, post the contents.

[katzdvd]

Hi anony!

Got things sorted out for the most part - did a ton of searching on google & all over, but I guess I don't put in the right terms, because the results I get are "almost helpful" but not quite.

And then when I do come across something that looks like it might pertain to my situation, I am afraid to run the code for fear of wiping everything out!

I guess right now the only thing I wonder about is this;

sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 1 3647 29294496 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 3648 6079 19535040 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 6080 7991 15358140 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 7992 30401 180008325 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 7992 8257 2136613+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda6 8258 30401 177871648+ 83 Linux

Only sda 1 & 6 are the only ones in "computer" (& filesystem)
& only sda 1 & 6 show up on the desktop. Being used to a windows environment, I just wondered "why" the rest didn't show up, & should I make them visible?

Also, if I do decide to install xp, which will go on sda1, I guess I will have to run gparted again & reformat that to ntfs. I don't know how I goofed that up, but I guess I'm lucky I got as far as I did! lol

Now once again, it's on to installing beryl, thunderbird & so forth...

[anonymez]

Which drive is which? I thought you only needed 5 partitions? The only drives you would need to see on your desktop would be the Windows and Data drives. The others (swap,root; home is accessed via your home folder, just drag & drop the icon to the desktop) are hidden/restricted because you're not supposed to be tinkering in there.

[katzdvd]

Which drive is which? I thought you only needed 5 partitions?

Sorry for the confusion!

sda1 ext media/disk (primary) - (will be xp)
sda2 ext media/disk-1 (primary) linux - root
sda3 ext media/disk-2 (primary) (this will be home partition)
sda4 extended
sda5 linux-swap
sda6 ntfs (data partition)

(swap 5 & data 6 are in the extended partition

I hope that is setup properly; I did what I thought was right...

[anonymez]

That looks alright.

[katzdvd]

That looks alright.

Thanks! I know that I need to reformat sda1 to NTFS for the windows install, but I was hoping that everything else was ok.

I am confused about the "home" folder; is it supposed to be in the "filesystem" part. ? Do I need to move it?

[anonymez]

I am confused about the "home" folder; is it supposed to be in the "filesystem" part. ? Do I need to move it?

Yes and No. You see it in "File System" (root) because the partition is being mounted; just like you should see the drives in /media. It's normal.

[katzdvd]

Well then, I guess everything is in order as supposed to be. Since coming from windows, the terminology still throws me a bit (mounted/unmounted, sda1/sda2, instead of C:/ D:/ & so on...) but I guess I will get the hang of it.

My next dumb question would be; How do the programs I install "know" where to go?!?! With a windows system, I choose C, D, E, but what about w/ linux? Like w/ synaptic, when I run that, it just does it all on its' own.

I guess with downloaded programs I will chose location?

[anonymez]

My next dumb question would be; How do the programs I install "know" where to go?!?!

Magic, I think.

Mostly apps and their files will go into /opt, /bin and /usr. A brief explanation of those cryptic (at first, anyway) directories. Configs/settings go in your home folder, hit Ctrl+H to see them.

I guess with downloaded programs I will chose location?

No, usually just the same as with Synaptic.