Should I choose to Install alongside windows 8 or something else

Question

I'm thinking about installing Ubuntu ( dual boot ) as I might like it but I'm not sure whether I should choose to install alongside Windows 8 or something else.

I do have 100 GB unallocated already for Ubuntu on my D:/ drive so I'm good to go.

I've seen people configure their partitions specially ( they created swap and then used the remaining unallocated to install Ubuntu ). Do I need to do this? Or will the installer handle it for me.

Solution

As far as I go, never trust automatic partitioning options in Ubuntu installers, as you may end up with nasty surprises. When installing Ubuntu, personally I always prepare the partitions manually. Since you want to keep a dual-boot set-up, most flexible would be to create a new extended partition and inside it create the several logical partitions.

In the extended partition I usually I reserve:

• 5GB for swap (or whatever appropriate given your RAM)
• 25GB for / which will contain all your system files (but some will say that this is overly generous, as 15-20GB could suffice given your installation habits)
• the rest for /home which will contain all your user data

I tend to use ext3 file system for the above partitions for reliability reasons (but you could of course use ext4 or reiserfs if you so prefer). Sometimes I include a /boot partition no bigger than 500MB using ext2, but I cannot remember if this is more hassle than necessary; from memory, this is where kernels and grub config files end up.

Additionally, see My approach for replacing current Ubuntu with newer for a discussion on how manual partitioning can be approached.

Comments

[mrolive]

If i were to prepare partitions manualy, what partitions would I have to create besides swap and the standard Ubuntu install ( if any )

[mrolive]

Thanks! to clarify, what does the /boot partition do and is it nessecary to install?

[landroni]

From memory, this is where kernels and grub config files end up. I vaguely remember that it could be a good idea to keep them separate from / partition.

[mrolive]

So if I leave the /boot partition out, the config files will basically be re-routed to the / partition?

[landroni]

Yes, that's why separate /boot isn't really necessary.

[mrolive]

Thanks, I think i'm going to leave the /boot partition out as i'm still new to Linux. Another question ( last one I promise ) / is the Ubuntu installation itself and /home is the user data partition correct?

[mrolive]

Also what type of partition would i use when creating these. There are 2 options ( primary and logical ) And does it matter if I use ext3 or ex4?

[mrolive]

Thanks! I understand it now :) buuut anotehr question ( this is really the last one ) After creating the 3 partitions I would highlight the extended partition and click install right?

[landroni]

I don't remember. You have to associate each partition to the appropriate mount point. But perhaps this is is already the topic of a separate question?

[mrolive]

Yea I'll try looking around thanks for all the help :)

[user68186]

If Windows 8 came pre-installed, the computer is likely to have UFEI and GPT. thus the point about primary versus extended is moot. All the partitions can be primary.