We have come to a cross-roads in the computer world today. Stick with the familiar Microsoft Windows, or try the stable, secure, but unfamiliar GNU/Linux-based operating systems that have recently started taking off. There are two big factors that stop most people from loading GNU/Linux onto their computer. The first is that they think they need to be a geek to install it. I admit that it is often hard to install something you’ve never had experience with. But with the right coaching, you can do it. Also, people think that you can’t run Windows if you have GNU/Linux (so they lose all their games and other important programs). However, it is actually possible to run Windows and GNU/Linux on the same computer. So what are you waiting for?

Important note: this article will explain how to install Windows and Kubuntu on the same computer, starting from scratch. This is ideal if you don’t have any data on your Windows machine, or if your data is fully backed up. This article does not cover how to install Kubuntu on an existing Windows machine preserving your Windows installation.

Introduction

Recently, I was asked by a friend if I would install a GNU/Linux-based operating system onto his machine. I had told him about how good GNU/Linux was (virus-free, crash-free, and headache-free). Besides, his Windows install was completely messed up. But he also wanted to be able to use his Windows-only games and programs. So I gave him the best of both worlds by backing up his important documents, formatting his hard drive, and then creating a Windows XP and GNU/Linux dual-boot. This sped up his Windows drive for when he absolutely needed to use a Windows-only program, and still allowed him to use GNU/Linux. You may be asking, “How do I do it?”. Believe it or not, it is actually very simple.

Which GNU/Linux operating system you should use and why

The first step is to figure out which GNU/Linux-based operating system (also known as a distribution or distro for short) to use. After all, there are hundreds to choose from. But how do you choose?

You want a distribution that will install easily onto your computer, one that will install third-party programs easily, and one that looks good. There are quite a few that satisfy one or two of the items on our list, but the only one that I’ve found has all three is Kubuntu. Kubuntu is based off of the Ubuntu distribution, well known for installing easily to your computer’s hard drive. In fact, installing Kubuntu is easier than installing Windows. Since Kubuntu is also based off of the Debian distribution it installs 3rd party programs very easily (as it automatically takes care of dependencies). It also uses the K Desktop Environment, also known as KDE, which makes your computer look very elegant.

Preparing for Kubuntu

Requirements

The first thing you want to do is make sure your computer can run Kubuntu. Generally, if you can run Windows XP, you should be able to run Kubuntu. If you want numbers, you’ll need 256MB of RAM or more and a hard drive with a capacity of 20GB or more. To find out if you have enough RAM, right-click on My Computer, click Properties, and in the bottom right it should tell how much RAM you have (1024MB = 1GB). To find out how much space is on your hard drive, open My Computer, right click on the C: drive, and click Properties. It should show you the amount of free space. If you don’t have enough RAM or if your hard drive isn’t big enough, any local computer store should be able to help you upgrade.

You’ll need 256MB of RAM and a hard drive with a capacity of 20GB or more

You will also need a Kubuntu CD or DVD. There are several options: you can have a copy shipped to you for free (not recommended, as it takes six to ten weeks to ship), you can order one to be shipped (between $4 to $10), or you can just download it for free. For the last option, go to the download page, click the continent closest to you, then the country, and then click a location near you. Then, right-click on “CD Image for desktop and laptop PCs”, and click Save Link As or Save Target As. You may want to consider getting a download manager to speed things up (DownThemAll is my favorite). After downloading the ISO CD image, burn it to a CD. If you don’t know how to, use the free (as in speech) InfraRecorder. When you download it, open it and hit Actions→Burn Image. Select the ISO image you downloaded, and start the burn. You can also refer to the InfraRecorder manual, which comes with the program.

Backing up

Please keep in mind that this article is about installing Windows and Ubuntu on an empty, newly formatted machine. This means that you will lose all of your Windows data. If you don’t want to lose your data, you will need to back up your Windows drive.

There are other ways to install Kubuntu on an existing Windows machine in which you don’t have to format your drive, but starting from scratch is the easiest option (and will clean up Windows too).

If you do have valuable data on your Windows machine, you will need to backup what you want to keep. You have a few options for where to backup to: a bunch of CDs, a bunch of DVDs, an external hard drive, or an online host. Backup all the data that you want to keep (documents, pictures, movies etc). Also, backup your drivers. For this use the free (as in beer) DriverMax. Most importantly, write down your product key for Windows XP. If you can’t find it, use the Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder - again, Magical Jelly Bean is free as in cost, rather than freedom (unlike GNU/Linux and most of the software that comes with it). You may want to write down product keys (also known as registration keys) for other software you have bought. Remember to backup your data and the installation packages of your programs!

There is one other thing you must do before you install Windows and Kubuntu, and that is to change the boot priority so that the CD is above the hard drive in boot order. What this does is simply make it so that the computer will run off of the CD (so you can install Windows and Kubuntu) instead of off of the hard drive. Consult your manual on changing the boot priority. If you can’t find out how, call your computer’s manufacturer or do a search online for “booting from a cd with INSERT COMPUTER NAME HERE”. Replace the INSERT COMPUTER NAME HERE with your machine’s name, like “Dell Dimension 4700”.

Installing Windows

First, you need to get the Windows installer ready. Find the Windows XP CD you got when you first got your PC (or when you upgraded it from Windows 2000 or 98). Insert it in your PC. You should see a Windows XP prompt. Hit the Enter key.

OK, you are now ready to install Windows. The first thing you will see is an End User License Agreement (EULA). Hit the F8 key. Next, you’ll see a screen listing all your partitions (as shown in figure 1).

Figure 1: Partitions list

Now, delete the C: partition. Highlight it (if necessary) using the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard, then hit the D key. You will be prompted to delete partition C:. If you can’t handle pressure, scream at the top of your lungs and hit Esc key. But if you are brave, and want to install Windows and Kubuntu, hit the L key. Now you’ll see the screen that was in figure 1, with a major difference: it shows Unpartitioned Space instead of C:. Highlight the Unpartitioned Space, and then hit the Enter key (figure 2).

Figure 2: Formatting