Windows XP and Ubuntu Sharing Capabilities?

Question

I def want to try out Ubuntu while I also have XP installed for games and etc. I just have one question! Because I don't want to back up things like my music and videos and etc.. and I do recall a live linux CD called Knoppix being able to read my Windows XP data..
Will Ubuntu be able to do the same exact thing? Can I use my music folders from XP on Ubuntu so I don't have to back things up and waste HD space for duplicates?

Thanks in advance,

Dominick

Answer 1

If you just want to try out ubuntu you do not need to install it on your hard drive. Actually if you do not want to back stuff up then you probebly should not install. Its not that its hard to remove ubuntu once installed, (its actully easy) but that in order to use it in a dual boot senario you must resize your partitions. This in itself is risky. If something goes wrong you can lose all your data.



The live CD is slower but works great. The one problem is when run from the live CD it will not automaticly mount your normal hard drives. This will make it a little more confusing for you, especially if you are not used to linux. Anything you use in windows can be used in ubuntu. There is one other problem with the Live CD, you will not be able to install programs, it will take up a lot of memory. This includes some multimedia programs and plugins (including the ones to play certin media files).



Personally I am using a laptop with Ubuntu on it and Windows. It works great and I did not have trouble with the resizing. (but i was also lucky because i did not make backups).



To get your XP partition mounted in the live CD, try this.



1. On the Applications menu and under accesories click console.

2. Type the following (I am assuming you have standered IDE drives and that your windows is on the first one):

sudo mkdir /media/hda1

sudo mount /dev/hda1 /media/hda1

exit

3. Use the file browser to acsess your hard dirve, It should be in the folder media under hda1.



This is not needed once Ubuntu is installed, it should set up automaticly.



REMOVED



REVISION:

I just found this. It is designed to avoid repartitioning and installing a boot loader. I have not tried this yet (but I will) and it is still a beta but you may want to look at this. http://cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup/



I have also removed how to do stuff with the MBR. Not only was I going past the original question I also had something wrong that could crash a computer bad. I will assume it is not needed right now.

Answer 2

I've got ubuntu and xp dual booted on my laptop-

to make everything easier, I added a separate partition that is FAT32 formatted for files that I want to access on both OSes.

Answer 3

you're gonna could locate an ethernet card or instantaneous card and one that has Linux drivers for it besides. i'm assuming you have a instantaneous community setup on your place? Is the XP device attached by instantaneous or under pressure? Do you have a router? in case you dont', you would be wanting a router to share your cyber web connection which comprise your Linux container. be at liberty to IM me, kleubner86, and that i will attempt to respond to any of your questions :)

Answer 4

You can make your OS partitions visible to each other - refer to the WIKI starter guide. My preferred method is to have a seperate partition for storage. Then if I have to re-install an OS - I don't have to worry about moving my data. In any case I strongly urge you to get an external drive (look for sales) for backups as hard dives can and do eventually fail.



Here are some useful links:

Answer 5

If you dualboot ubuntu with XP, then there are methods of reading and even writing to your XP partition.

Answer 6

first dont use ubunto until your absoletly sure you want it once you do its a fraggin mess to remove with that boot loader Grub. And yes i think you can get your music folders from it and use some programs on it there were only ment for xp using wine its hard to use at first but if you need help email me and ill try to help you out more.