Installing Ubuntu Linux over Windows XP

Question

My machine has Windows XP SP2 installed. I want to install Ubuntu Home Edition on it. Please let me know how should I proceed without disturbing Windows XP.

Answer 1

You can have both XP and Linux on the same disk, by using Linux as an application within Windows. This way, you don't disturb XP at all.

I suggest the Wubi linux distribution, since it's a variant of the very popular and easy to use Ubuntu Linux:

Wubi -- an officially supported Ubuntu installer for Windows

Answer 2

You have another options like VMware/Virtual Box over windows or Wubi - Ubuntu installer for Windows

Answer 3

The simplest way to check (and even use) Ubuntu installation on a USB Bootable system,
without disturbing the installed XP on it is to get a 4GB USB flash drive and install on it.

1. for minimum disruption use the bios boot menu (F8 or F12 at boot time) and select the USB to be booted.
2. when installing choose the 'Advanced' option to install on the USB instead of the hard-disk mbr (this will leave your hard-disk untouched).

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I think a USB Harddisk will also do -- all you need is your platform (PC+BIOS) should be able to boot through it (else, things get a bit more complicated).

When you boot with the Ubuntu LiveCD, the first menu will allow you to install right from the LiveCD.
You can take this option to install to the pre-connected USB Harddisk.

As a safety measure (about the 'Advanced' part above) you could just unplug your XP harddisk cabling and leave the CD Drive wired along with the external USB harddisk to boot and install.
This will eliminate jeopardizing your XP installation.

If you are taking this last step too, you do not need to backup your XP (assuming you do not break the disk in the cable work involved) and, you can throwaway the Ubuntu installation without any impact to the XP later (just unplug the drive, format it, etc).
You can also easily boot with the drive connected using the BIOS boot menu.

Further, you can also boot this Ubuntu installation on any other PC that will allow you to boot through that USB drive!
^{I carry such an installed USB flash in my pocket as my default Ubuntu system.}

USB Drive based Ubuntu installation is my preferred way of suggesting an Ubuntu try-out on any system.
Ubuntu LiveCD does not give the correct feel of an installed Ubuntu system.
And, other schemes of installing besides existing systems (like XP) tend to disrupt those installations (or, at least need space or new hard-disk setups).

Answer 4

Wubi (as mentioned by UK) is a very simple way. The downside is that it is inside the Windows partition so that if the Windows partition breaks and is inaccessible, then Ubuntu may fail too.

If you want Ubuntu as a dual boot, mainly as insurance- to know that you can get to your Windows files if Windows will not boot- then it is usually fairly easy. Lifehacker- dual boot has a guide for Windows 7 and Ubuntu, most of the information will apply to XP. Note that XP does not have a partitioning faciliity so you will need to use the GParted tool explained.

If you are looking to experiment and learn, then go with Wubu, or a Portable Ubuntu Lifehacker- Portable Ubuntu tutorial

Hope all this helps, if you need more info, shout up and let us know how far you get, what needs more explaining...

Answer 5

As stated: install another hard drive and put Ubuntu on that.

If you're willing to disturb XP a little, you can use the Ubuntu installer to shrink the XP partition and install Ubuntu on the same hard disk. It's actually very easy, just follow the prompts in the installer.

Note: ALWAYS back up before doing any kind of OS install!