Will long-term use of ubuntu via wubi harm my PC?

Question

I do see a part of my question being discussed already. The specific answer I'm looking for is, will LONG-TERM use of Ubuntu via Wubi harm my PC (i.e cause irrevocable h/w failure or damage my windows 7 installation)...? My daily use is a few hrs (say 4-8 hrs/day) on Wubi-Ubuntu. I certainly don't want to shorten my PC's expected life-span by using Wubi. I am so far glad with wubi's performance on my thinkpad T510, so no major complaints on that end. Also re-partitioning my HD is not an option for me since I'm not an "adept" in computers and won't wanna affect existing win 7 installation or the manufacturer's recovery partition. Thanks in advance for suggestions!

Solution 1

No, using Wubi or extended periods of time will not shorten the life span of your computer at all.

However, there are many advantages to dual booting as opposed to using Wubi. For example:

• Wubi is slower then a dual booted Ubuntu install, and Wubi installs cannot Hibernate (it can Suspend).
• Wubi installs are also much more likely to break through an update.
• Dual booting the computer does not endanger Windows 7 at all, and the Ubuntu installer makes dual booting very easy.

I would highly recommend dual booting if you intend on using Ubuntu for long periods of time.

Solution 2

If you currently do not have problems with your Wubi installation I do not see how it could harm your PC.

There are a few things to consider though (in theory):

• If you have heating problems under Ubuntu, that can shorten the lifetime of your hardware components.
• By using NTFS partitions to exchange data between Ubuntu and Windows there is a slight chance to somehow break the integrity of the Windows filesystem. Or if it is your Windows system partition, you could modify it so that it will not boot.

It is always a good idea to have a separate Ubuntu installation, because if the other OS might fail, you can access your data from the working one.

Comments

[Oli]

Just out of curiosity, why do you think it might?

[Linux-Fan]

Since I've heard people say that wubi makes ext file system on top of ntfs, which makes things less stable...and some one said I run the risk of corrupting windows partitions as well. As I've mentioned, I'm not a comp-adept. So I had my apprehensions of diminishing my machine's lifespan!

[nilsonneto]

"Wubi installs are also much more likely to break through an update." ... huh? why?

[William]

@fossfreedom : I have had Wubi installs on computers that when I update through update manager it breaks the Wubi install and I have to reinstall Wubi. I speak from experience.

[nilsonneto]

... that certainly should not happen - please add a launchpad bug report to your answer.

[William]

askubuntu.com/questions/20805/grub-doesnt-load-after-update

[Linux-Fan]

Thanks @William and others for the useful discussion, so far. I do see direct-install is the best. Just looking for risk-free ways (for beginners) to install ubuntu as dual boot without breaking existing win 7 and recovery partitions.

[Linux-Fan]

Thanks @lgarzo. Useful points. Indeed, I have greater heating on my thinkpad with ubuntu and I am scared about its impact on my computer's lifespan. Using "Jupiter" to turn down CPU clock and ASPM initiation via grub.cfg in my wubi install. Still temp at least 8-10 deg C above windows average. Will direct install help bring down termaratures? Will also appreciate suggestions on a ubuntu heat-compatible laptop that you may know, I can consider purchasing (!!).

[lgarzo]

I'd say that 8-10 degrees are not that much to worry about. If it was really overheating that could cause trouble. I am not an expert on this but I think direct install would not bring you lower temperatures (since it is basically the same kernel/driver environment). Also I have some good experiences with older Thinkpads, but I can not recommend you any newer models. It might be a good new question, though.

[William]

@bcbc Yep, I was just backing up my point.

[William]

@Linux-Fan The Ubuntu Installer is very user friendly when it comes to dual booting and partitioning your computer. When the disk launches, you click "Install Ubuntu", then "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows". You can then drag the slider to say how much space you want to dedicate to Ubuntu. It is very user friendly and very low risk.

[Linux-Fan]

Thanks @lgarzo. Thanks for the info that 8-10 deg is not a big worry. So I can use Ubuntu a bit more :-)

[Linux-Fan]

@William, thanks. I should try a direct install when I have some more time. But since I have a "manufacturer recovery partition" right at the end of my HD, I was quite worried if I may lose its accessibility!

[Lewis Goddard]

@Linux-Fan I too have a recovery partition that i (originally) wanted to preserve. If you launch GParted (included in the Ubuntu CD) you will find a much nicer way of managing partitions, you can just drag them to where you want them, and leave the free space to select in the install.

[William]

Or, you can select the Advanced Partition Editor from within the UBuntu installer. But, you shouldn't need this, it is overkill. Ubuntu won't touch your recovery partition to install because it's not overwriting anything, just changing the size of C:.

[William]

OK, best of luck!

[Uri Herrera]

"From my experience, I can say that Installing Ubuntu with Wubi should be avoided, for sure" - And as such is not a fact, it's only your experience which I should say, can be different from others. "Also, Canonical should neither recommend nor support Wubi installations, as it will mar Ubuntu's image in the market" - Why not?, Wubi is not meant to be used as a full-on Ubuntu install, Wubi is meant for the user to try Ubuntu if he/she likes it then he/she Installs the system.

[Fart Singh]

No problem at all, then. By all means, go ahead and run it on Wubi. I'm just telling from my experience on 2 systems. One old another new.