Making a backup of files before the conversion?

[Guest]

Ok, I am getting ready to make the leap and install kubuntu on my computer (currently running Windows XP). I have a bunch of files that I want to save, and I was wondering if they would all be reformatted in the instellation process. I have tried searching on this topic, but I think its too basic of a question to be explicitly explained anywhere.

Here is the second part of my question. I have two hard drives. Can I use one of them to back of the files and install on the other drive? Or will kubuntu not be able to see the other drive? I thought I read something about mounting drives somewhere, but I did not really understand.

Thank you in advance for helping the newb out.

[Qqmike]

Re: Making a backup of files before the conversion?

Backup data -- yes, always, twice, even!

When you run the Kubuntu installer, go slow, make absolutely certain that neither your Windows partition nor your data partition is checked to be formatted (there's usually a box with a checkmark or not -- make sure there's no checkmarks in the boxes next to Windows or your data partition, under the column labeled "format").


"Can I use one of them to back of the files and install on the other drive? Or will kubuntu not be able to see the other drive? I thought I read something about mounting drives somewhere, but I did not really understand."

Yes, you can install Kubuntu anywhere and it should be able to find/read/access all your other drives. Just do it, and if you encounter issues, they should be easily fixable, so post back.


You might consider this:

Partitioning—how to, Rog131:
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3090704.0

and using GParted Live CD to do any partitioning before running the Kubuntu installer:
GParted: http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

[sithlord48]

Re: Making a backup of files before the conversion?

you can read/write ntfs partitions using ntfs-3g (should come w/ 8.10) in your system settings (after install) you click advanced and then on the disks icon there you can set what gets mounted (if you have to instll ntfs-3g you can find it w/ adept)