[SOLVED] Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

I realized my error in terminology a while after I posted the last. If I understand things correctly then I should keep the "primary" partition sda 1 and create a second primary partition sda2 for my Kubuntu; then sda3 as swap and sda4 as extended? With the following sizing:
/dev/sda 1 10 GB linux {Ubuntu}
/dev/sda 2 10 GB linux {Kubuntu}
/dev/sda3 512 MB swap
/dev/sda 4 40GB Extended
Or would it be better for #3 to be extended and use #5 as swap thus leaving an open ended option with #4 ? Or did that even make sense?
Like I have said I will not actually be using this computer by October once my new build is all ironed out. I am trying to learn about this so when I do my new build I have a clue of what my options are.
I looked at the page for UUID and that seems rather straight forward but I will need that for remounting the extended and swap ? I think?

Another thought I had but may be wrong is if I resize Ubuntu and create sda2 for Kubuntu; would I be able to just boot the Live Kubuntu CD and do a manual installation with the GParted and GRUB that is built in. Or is it better to already have the swap and extended set up?

I 'm sorry to make this complicated but as I have said I am trying to learn not just how but the logic behind it all

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

I have slept on this whole idea and plan and now think I have a solution for my original issue. There is a side issue here in that this is a 10+ year old system and it is starting to act finicky; not sure if it is the GPU or CPU or both. The plan is to:

1] shrink /dev/sda1 to 10GB

2] grow /dev/sda2 to 40 GB [extended]

3] create /dev/sda3 of size 10 GB {for Kubuntu}

4] grow /dev/sda5 to 512 MB [50% of system RAM]

I guess it is time to do, if I do not report back by Aug. 12th then you can figure 1 of 2 things, system died or I really messed up. But first I'll download an burn iso's for my new system build in Sept. 8)

[oshunluvr]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

First off - no apologies needed. We're all here to learn and when possible, to share what we've learned.

This plan is IMO somewhat better logically :

/dev/sda1 10 GB linux {Ubuntu}
/dev/sda2 10 GB linux {Kubuntu}
/dev/sda3 512 MB swap
/dev/sda4 40GB Extended

Don't forget that in order to use the Extended partition you must create at least 1 Logical partition in it. So add this

/dev/sda5 40 GB Logical {/home}

I am still of the opinion your swap should be 1024MB to match your RAM size, but since you're using this system really as only a test bed - I doubt it will matter.

I key thing here is to realize that the shrink, grow, and move operations take a long time - I mean a L O N G time - hours. The problem with that is the longer your data is exposed to these operations, the more likely something will go wrong - like a kid pushing your power button and the like. That is why I recommended deleting all the partitions you now have except sda1 and doing it over from there. It takes seconds to delete and create a swap partition but 100x longer to move it.

UUID's are used by default by Ubuntu now and have some advantages and some disadvantages. You are not required to use them.

IMO if you are manually editing an fstab files, it's actually easier to use device names. For example, here's a line (with comment) from my fstab

# /boot was on /dev/sdb2 during installation
UUID=ef4416c8-8a46-4652-a2ed-1a391a086f10 /boot      ext2  defaults    0    2

This partition also happens to be labeled "boot0" so either of these fstab entries work just as well;

/dev/disk/by-label/boot0  /boot  ext2  defaults	  0  2

/dev/sdb2 	/boot  ext2  defaults	 0  2

Differences:
UUIDs and Labels are created (or re-created) along with the filesystem.
Device names are assigned by the kernel at boot time.

Problems occur with one or the other depending on how you use your computer and it's hardware. If you have 1 hard drive and 1 operating system - it really doesn't matter which method you use. If you're booting to multiple drives using multiple types or distros of linux, it might matter a lot.

Labels are nice because you created them, so presumably they're easy enough for you to remember and use. UUIDs and Labels are good to use if your BIOS changes drive letters when you boot to different drives. Device names can be easier to use because if you always boot to the same disk, presumably they don't change and are easier to remember than UUIDs - which are basically impossible to remember.

In this instance - using the device name will be easier and safe.

As far as the new install - my personal preference is to pre-partition and format (aka create filesystems) the whole drive with a plan (and take notes so I don't forget my plan!). Then use the Manual Install option. I have had an installer or two in the past fail during filesystem creation so why bother with the try-and-re-try method? But that's my preference. You're certainly able to go ahead and use the installer to format and partition if you want to see if it works OK - likely everything will be fine.

Grub will work this way: Currently grub is contained on your Ubuntu install partition (look at /boot/grub) and the MBR (Master Boot Record) "points" at /dev/sda1/boot/grub for action. Once you install Kubuntu - if you allow it to also re-install grub to /dev/sda - the MBR will now point at the Kubuntu's grub. Your grub menu will (should!) have both Ubuntu and Kubuntu in it and will default boot to Kubuntu because that's the install that last modified the MBR.

This is important to note because if you decided to wipe your Kubuntu partition - you would no longer be able to boot to your hard drive. You would have to boot to a liveCD or USB and re-install grub's MBR to point at Ubuntu again.

This is not a super difficult problem, but takes many a newbie by surprise.

The easiest solution in your case is simply to remember that grub is using Kubuntu so if you're going to wipe it out - re-set grub's MBR before you wipe Kubuntu. A simple one-line command does this.

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

oops, I went and did the Gparted already before reading your last entry, this is the new out -put from fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 80.0 GB, 80026361856 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 9729 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000b280d

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 2040 16384000 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 6848 9730 23151616 5 Extended
/dev/sda3 2041 4017 15880252+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 4018 6847 22731975 83 Linux
/dev/sda5 9348 9413 524288 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Partition table entries are not in disk order
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I plan to use the /dev.sda3 for Kubuntu; however when I went to install and choose 'manual' I selected /dev/sda3 and then choose the same for the boot selector, when I clicked 'install' I received a notice :
"no root file system defined
correct from partitioning menu"

So I'm stuck again. Would the Alt. Install iso be better for this type of installation?

I know I have some weird sizes but I did format #3 and #4; swap is still in extended and I got confused and thought I needed #4 for /home. Anyway it did not take more than 45-50 minutes to resize and create and shrink, etc; 5 operations in less than an hour.

So what do I do about this no root files stuff in #3 and I'm sure in #4 too?

[oshunluvr]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

Don't jump ahead too fast!

When you select manual partitioning in the Kubuntu installer, it needs you to select where to install everything. The only partition it will auto-select is swap.

So re-start the installer, click on /dev/sda3 and set it to "Use as..." (whatever file format you're using, likely ext4?) and set "/" as mountpoint and select Format if you didn't pre-format it or changes the format in the Use As... step.

Then do the same for your target /home partition (/dev/sda4 ? ? ?)

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

I did format while in GParted after the shrinking and creating and resizing. The reason I ask about the alt. CD was the 'regular' iso goes to the manual partition table. I select the /dev/sda3 {which is the one I set up for Kubuntu} and at the bottom it has a selection for the 'boot' and I match that with the /dev/sda3 and click install and get the message that " no root file system is detected, correct from partitioning menu ".

Does this mean I forgot to do something in the GParted other than format to 4, or is there an option I am overlooking in the installer or should I use the Alt. iso; would that give me more options??

Hoping to figure this out tonight, Gui acts weird a lot; spent the afternoon downloading and burning ISO'd for Ubuntu and Kubuntu 32 and 64 bit for new build in second week of sept.

HOW would I fix this problem though, I formatted the partition as ext 4 in Gparted; I can not figure what could have happened, I'll tr what you suggest>>>>going to reboot to Kubuntu iso live cd. I'll be back soon, I hope.

[vinnywright]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

I did format while in GParted after the shrinking and creating and resizing. The reason I ask about the alt. CD was the 'regular' iso goes to the manual partition table. I select the /dev/sda3 {which is the one I set up for Kubuntu}

after you select it you must click "change" then a box will open whare you can select the mount point ....you want / hear and select the file system type ext4 and check the format box

then select the /dev/sda4 and click "change" chose /home for the mount point and ext 4 for the file system and check the format box.

and at the bottom it has a selection for the 'boot' and I match that with the /dev/sda3 and click install and get the message that " no root file system is detected, correct from partitioning menu ".

the box at the botom should be "device for boot loader installation"

this depends ......if you want the curent linux (Ubuntu) to keep handling the booting of the box then select /dev/sda3 .........after instaling you will half to boot ubuntu and run "sudo update-grub" to be abel to get to your new Kubuntu.

I would just select /sda and let Kubuntu take over .......


VINNY

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

Thx Vinny, I was just downloading the Alt. install in case I need it.

I'm going to pull an /etc/fstab on the terminal to see what's the what.
I'll be back to post it with what I think I should do; I'm thinking I missed the mount point in Gparted when I created this partition [dev/sda3] that I want Kubuntu in and that would mean I missed it in #4 too.

BRB

fstab results:

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.

#

# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier

# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name

# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).

#

# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>

proc /proc proc nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0

# / was on /dev/sda1 during installation

UUID=42930727-88e4-464c-9ca1-34e9964d6dbc / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1

# swap was on /dev/sda5 during installation

UUID=14cdafa2-8c58-426b-9aa5-a79575ef6d2e none swap sw 0 0

/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0


brb, gonna burn the alt iso

[vinnywright]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

Thx Vinny, I was just downloading the Alt. install in case I need it.

I'm going to pull an /etc/fstab on the terminal to see what's the what.
I'll be back to post it with what I think I should do; I'm thinking I missed the mount point in Gparted when I created this partition [dev/sda3] that I want Kubuntu in and that would mean I missed it in #4 too.

BRB

you dont nead to set the mount point in Gparted.......you set it in the kubuntu installer after you select the manual partitioning setup.

go a head and restart your install after rereading the last 5-6 posts

VINNY

O and you dont want the alt.iso I think it's text based ......no GUI

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

Thx Vinny

I just burned it {ALT} in case don't 'ya know As you recommended I will review the post here on this page[2] with the main focus on help and suggestions so I can clear it all in my head. I hope to be back in a while with good news; have used a little printer ink to guide me I do believe I was looking around too fast as suggested earlier and need to slow down.

Now I am off to hopefully fulfill this post and will report back the results and/or problems incurred.

I think K might be more suitable as my 'Host' in new build but I need to explore it here first 8)

[vinnywright]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

from what I have read it would seem as thought you have it partitioned ok ......you just nead to get through the install part

while your in the manual partitioning part (or in other words telling it whare to install what to ) of the installation process and you see the partitions you made you must click the partition you want (/dev/sda3) and then click "change" and set the mount points (that is whare you want what to go) to / (that is the root file system or Kubuntu) and chose the file system type (ext4) and check format and click ok

now click the /dev/sda4 partition line and click "change" and set the mount point to (/home ...this your /home stuff and all your personel data and setings.) now click the file system type and chose ext4 and check the format box and click ok

now that box at the bottom for boot loader installation ........... I would chose /sda ....this will over right the current grub and give control of the booting to Kubuntu (right now gubs configs are in Ubuntu) or do like I sead in the prevues post and leave it up to Ubuntu

VINNY

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

OK Vinny;Stu,
I got through the install thanks to both of you; I am now in a situation that I think I know how to resolve. After the install the reboot went strait to Ubuntu; I will now check the 'Super GRUB' web-site to be sure my disc is current then run S-GRUB 2 to load up my boot-loader for a dual boot.

Any and all comments/ suggestions are welcome.

BRB in a while. James

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

[quote/]
now click the /dev/sda4 partition line and click "change" and set the mount point to (/home ...this your /home stuff and all your personel data and setings.) now click the file system type and chose ext4 and check the format box and click ok

now that box at the bottom for boot loader installation ........... I would chose /sda ....this will over right the current grub and give control of the booting to Kubuntu (right now gubs configs are in Ubuntu) or do like I sead in the prevues post and leave it up to Ubuntu

VINNY
[/quote]

OK Cool; I'm installed and dual boot ; though the MBR still has Ubuntu as the primary and I have not re-formatted the ext/#4 but I do have Kubuntu in the MBR >> now it is time for me to learn the set-up of Kubuntu.

Any links to direct help for set-up is welcome. I want to set up web-browsing; e-mail and digiKam to start with and be able to explore CAD and electrical CAD applications in the near future. This is most definitely a different look and GUI than Ubuntu but it seems to be more 'streamlined' and practical in view of my desired operations. I have noticed that a lot of the application software that I desire in Ubuntu requires a KDE front end so I think this is a better choice [Kubuntu} for me; now I need help in learning it

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

[Solved] If you follow this thread from start to finish you will learn of partitions and the use of GParted to manipulate the Physical Hard drive to allow for the addition of another OS in Dual Boot in regards to Linux.

Good people helped me here!!!!!!!

[wanderingarcticfox]

Re: Stumped on how to create Dual boot...

[Solved]