Migration to Kubuntu from Windows

Don't lose anything, take it a bit at a time. If it makes you feel better, I was once in the same boat, but my semi-technical wife made the migration before I did. Even so, I've been running Linux as my exclusive OS for a few years now, so I think I can help from both sides of the story. A lot of the others here have also been lured by that penguin-shaped temptress, so even the youngsters know a thing or two about migrating! We're here for you.

As for the GRUB thing, that should work. GRUB is GRUB, it'll be pretty much the same on any distribution of Linux.

 

Hi again,

Can I just get this straight then Gent's

I have a 40 Gig drive (38.2). If I create under XP install 1 x 5 Gig partition for XP and format to FAT32 (would this be enough space?) & partiton the rest of the drive but not format it, install XP on the first partition and after the installation of XP shutdown and then install Kubuntu it will sort the rest for me. Is this correct Gent's? I'm sure it should be more complex than that!

Can I ask again about my email (Outlook) and IE7 fav's. What format do I need to save them in so that Linux can import them?

If this is correct I think I might try it tonight

:chk: Kubuntu here we come :chk:

 

The best way I can think of is to install Firefox and Thunderbird in Windows, then use those applications to import from Outlook/IE7 respectively, and then you can export these to a format which is already ready for Firefox/Thunderbird in Linux (or whatever browsers & mail clients you choose).

 

I'm not sure about the Outlook or IE favourites thing, Kmail is a fantastic mail client. I think it supports Exchange servers too, I know Evolution does.

All you need to do is install Windows first (use NTFS instead of FAT, unless you need to be able to write to the partition inside Linux). Then create some space for Kubuntu. My method is to just create a 10GB partition, format it as FAT or something else (it doesn't matter, as Kubuntu will format it itself anyway), and then create a 500mb partition which will later be formatted as swap. Then create a 20GB(or however much space you have left at this point) partition.

This can be done with disk management in Windows. Reboot to the Kubuntu CD, and go through the easy installer. When it comes to partitioning, use this as a guide:

• Choose the 10GB partition, format as reiserfs.
• Choose 20GB partition, and format as reiserfs.
• choose 500mb space, format as "swap".

In the next step (i have to say, the Kubuntu installer partitioning tool is a piece of crap, totally unintuitive ), you choose the mount points for your new partitions. Use:

• 10GB partition mount point should be "/"
• 500mb swap mount point should just be "swap"
• 20GB partition mount point should be "/home"

We're using reiserfs here because its a damn fast filesystem when working with lots of small files. the 20GB partition is mounted as the /home directory, so this partition will be used for all your personal files and music etc. The / file system is where all the system files are stored, which is 10GB to be nice and comfortable. the 500mb space space won't be used much, but its nice to have it there just in case.

The (K)ubuntu partitioning/mount point tool is totally crap unfortunately, other distros like Mandriva have a much easier to use partitioner/mount point chooser. If you get stuck, then just ask here.

Kubuntu will detect your XP installation, and will put a menu entry in the GRUB boot menu automatically, you don't have to do anything.

 

Hi All,

Anti Trend, Thanks for that and am downloading them now.

Addis, Thanks for that also, I have printed the instructions and I'm going to make sure I've got everything ready e.g. all backed up and that.

It might be the case that the next time I speak with you guys here it will be using Kubuntu.

Loads for thanks Gent's for all your help and advice :chk:

 

Hi Guy's

Ok I have reinstalled XP on 5 Gig (prob to small but will re-do all this again sometime) Created 10 Gig, 500Mb & 23 Gig ish.

Addis you mentioned to fortmat using reiserfs but the choice is not there, here is what I have

EXT 3
EXT 2
FAT 32
JFS
Linux "SWAP" (Already sorted that 1 )
NTFS
XFS

Which one should I use for the 10 Gig & the 23 Gig ish.

Cheers Gent's :chk:

 

Any of Ext 3, JFS or XFS will be fine. They are all journaled filesystems which are fast, stable and robust. That said, my personal recommendation is XFS for a general use filesystem on fairly modern hardware (Pentium3/Athlon or better). On older hardware, JFS or Ext 3 may be better options, as they are slower but require less CPU utilization. For reference, see here: Debian Administration :: Filesystems (ext3, reiser, xfs, jfs) comparison on Debian Etch

 

Hi All,

Well I have finally managed it :hi2:

I have made a few mistakes like, XP partiton too small & saving Outlook backup in the wrong format but these are all small prob's that can be sorted. I already have updated and install FireFox & Thunderbird, change a few settings for the network and that & to be honist I'm surprised how much better and smoother it run compaired to XP and from the Live CD. (I surpose I shouldn't be really as this is why I wanted to move over)

Many thank's go out to Addis for the Dual Boot info, Worked a treat :good:
To Anti Trend, When I nearly lost it with the format type he was there :chk:
& To Megameced for all the extra info (Just need to sort my printer now mate)

Thanks again Gent's & I'm now off to look around and see what I can play with.

Many Many thank's again

 

well, if i need to resize a partition, i use Acronis PartitionExpert which has now being superceeded by Disk Director, you basically install it in Win and create a bootable CD / DVD then boot from the CD and you can then resize any partition (if the partition is bootable you just need to restore the bootloader (i think)

 

Your printer shouldn't be a problem to set up, if you do some googling for your printer model, you will find out whether theres a driver already available, or if theres a compatible.

My Samsung ML1610 mono laser doesn't have an open-source linux driver (samsung provide proprietary linux ones) but the ml1710 driver is compatible with it, and it works a treat.

 

Hi All,
Well I played till 4:30am this morning to no avail and I decided that since I was getting now where and XP's partiton was to small, I started all over again and this is how it went.

XP Partition 8 Gig NTSF
ROOT Partition 11 Gig EXT3 (wouldn't let me any other way)
SWAP Partition 1 Gig Linux Swap
HOME Partition 12 Gig EXT3 (wouldn't let me any other way)
The Dual Boot work's fine & I have got space for XP now.

I have sorted the Universe/Multiverse and sorted the updates and downloaded various App's, (PDB converter, J-Pilot(which I cannot remove), K-Pilot(which works better), Alien(ready for printer driver) & some other stuff.
Outlook -
No matter what format use I am unable to get any of my email/contacts/calendar/notes/reminders or tasks to migrate over, Outlook just won't play nice, even though I downloaded a .pst file reader/converter(which has done nothing & I cannot find) I have managed to get my contacts into ThunderBird through a HotSync from my Palm, but thats another story. I have sorted my Email accounts and am sending and receiving OK. So my old email will have to stay on Outlook on XP, if I need it then I will have to go back for it.
Network & Media -
I'm sufing my network and can view all but am unable to listen to any music through Armork or Kaffeine, keeps saying codec & network failure. I know it's not the codec as if I transfer file's to the HOME area they play OK, No music for the last 24 hours
Palm -
At best using K-Pilot I have managed to get my contacts to Sync but thats about it. All my stuff is HotSync over but will not run in any program so what I can save is just in file format i.e. when HotSync notes saved to a folder and same for memos but as for the documents, spreedsheets (the stuff I really need to be able to sync), its just wont play not even saving them, even though I downloaded a PDB reader/converter (again did nothing and I cannot find) They can be seen in the K-Pilot generic DB viewer but thats it.
IE & IM -
I have got my fav's into FireFox with no problem & IM is up and running :chk:

Well sorry but that's me for the night, my head hurts and I need to sleep.

This is not a complaint or to put anyone off as I know it will be worth it in the end.
I must say thanks to you all and I have not given up yet as I know there is always going to be teething prob's

Night all