Dual Boot Post-Install (New, help please!)

[Rikev]

I have a copy of WIndows 8 OEM in the post (I hear the boos!) but it turns out I need a copy of Windows for some stubborn gaming titles that don't play nicely with Linux. The problem is I like my Kubuntu 12.04 setup and don't want to lose it! Is it a simple task to dual boot Windows 8 alongside Kubuntu 12.04?

There is also a catch...

Currently I have two hard disks, one split into two partitions holding Swap and / whilst the second hard disk has /home. Is it possible to move one of the partitions into the / directory and have Windows 8 installed on the other disk?

[james147]

Currently I have two hard disks, one split into two partitions holding Swap and / whilst the second hard disk has /home. Is it possible to move one of the partitions into the / directory and have Windows 8 installed on the other disk?

• Boot a live cd (you should not repartition hard drives while they are mounted)
• Partition the first drive the way you want it (shrink root to about 15-20GB, create a new home partition)
• Mount the old and new home
• Sync the two locations

  sudo rsync -avhP /mnt/old-home/ /mnt/new-home

• Edit /etc/fstab on the root partition and change the UUID of the home partition to the new UUID use

  sudo blkid -c /dev/null -o list

  to get the new UUID
• Reboot

To install windows 8 i would:

• Do the above
• Unplug the kubuntu HDD
• Install windows to the new HDD
• Plug in the kubuntu HDD
• Boot and set your bois to boot the kubuntu HDD (if needed)
• Run

  sudo grub-update

  once kubuntu has booted again.

[Rikev]

Thanks for the help. I got a bit lost with GParted though, tried to run the partitioning twice, cancelled and totally ballsed up the partitioning. Full re-install time due to my impatience. >.<