[Tog]

My son in laws firm recently went under and they were allowed to keep their laptops (Dell latitude D810), I know it is pretty ancient but it had a new battery recently and still seems perfectly serviceable.
Only problem is that it is tied to a domain still and despite advice from many forums it will not let me add or delete any programs, in fact it doesn't even like me clicking on user accounts

I have dabbled with Linux before and even have it on my old desktop duel booting with Windows.
If I install Ubuntu 10 on this laptop as the OS will it wipe Windows and let me install and uninstall programs.

[Advertisements]

If I install Ubuntu 10 on this laptop as the OS will it wipe Windows and let me install and uninstall programs.

Hi Tog and Welcome to the forum -
It sounds like you would like to totally remove the Windows O/S and install the latest Ubuntu instead, is this correct ?
If you wish, you can wipe the hard drive and return it to zero operating, then install Full Ubuntu instead.

There are some things you can save (use CDs or USB / Flash drives) and you can reinstall some of these programs.
Ubuntu uses mainly Mozilla (Firefox) and Google Chrome browsers, but not Internet Explorer. There are also a few other minor program changes.
You must remember it will no longer be a Windows system, however after a day or so of playing you will find it is "similar" in many ways.

If this is what you do want I can provide the full directions for you to do this alone, or with someone else to help assist you.
You can also print the directions, but you will need at least 2 good CDs, and a CD drive in the computer to read / install the program.

Please post back if this is correct -

Regards -

[noknojon]

If I install Ubuntu 10 on this laptop as the OS will it wipe Windows and let me install and uninstall programs.

Hi Tog and Welcome to the forum -
It sounds like you would like to totally remove the Windows O/S and install the latest Ubuntu instead, is this correct ?
If you wish, you can wipe the hard drive and return it to zero operating, then install Full Ubuntu instead.

There are some things you can save (use CDs or USB / Flash drives) and you can reinstall some of these programs.
Ubuntu uses mainly Mozilla (Firefox) and Google Chrome browsers, but not Internet Explorer. There are also a few other minor program changes.
You must remember it will no longer be a Windows system, however after a day or so of playing you will find it is "similar" in many ways.

If this is what you do want I can provide the full directions for you to do this alone, or with someone else to help assist you.
You can also print the directions, but you will need at least 2 good CDs, and a CD drive in the computer to read / install the program.

Please post back if this is correct -

Regards -

[noknojon]

Hi again -
This extra is from a fellow user on this forum, you may have seen it , but I have added it here for your own information -

Ubuntu is not a program that you can install and uninstall from Windows, but it is a complete replacement operating system, with its own programs and software,
You will not find it in Windows add/remove programs, neither will you be able to read the linux partitions without certain software,

Windows uses fat32 and ntfs for their file systems, while Ubuntu linux uses ext2, ext3 and ext4 for its file systems,
Windows cannot read ext2, ext3 and ext4', so to reinstall Windows you would wipe the hard drive again and use a Windows install CD.

This is only to give you a bit more information on moving from Windows to Ubuntu Operating Systems -

Regards -

EDIT - Thanks to "calvert" for this information

Edited by noknojon, 23 October 2011 - 02:09 PM.

[Tog]

Thanks a lot for the information, i have dabbled with the OS before on live disc so have some idea what it will be like, so as i will only be using the laptop for word processing and web surfing when away from the main desktop i am pretty sure i will not get into to much of a mess, i already use open office and as i understand it is included in Ubuntu so just download any work to flash and plug it into main pc if needed.

After reading through many posts on this site in the past if i do get any problems i am sure someone will be there to help me out.

Now for the bit i am not sure about, do i need to wipe windows first or can i just choose install Ubuntu when i choose boot from cd rom, if i do this will windows be wiped completely as i want and be replaced with Ubuntu.

[noknojon]

Now for the bit i am not sure about, do i need to wipe windows first or can i just choose install Ubuntu when i choose boot from cd rom, if i do this will windows be wiped completely as i want and be replaced with Ubuntu.

Reply is best as I have stated above -

Windows uses fat32 and ntfs for their file systems, while Ubuntu linux uses ext2, ext3 and ext4 for its file systems,
Windows cannot read ext2, ext3 and ext4', so to reinstall Windows you would wipe the hard drive again and use a Windows install CD.

Hi again Tog -
I prefer a full wipe to ensure there are no traces of Windows, as this would then only be creating a 2nd partition (and yours is not operating as you wish).
Also I personally do not like to run partitioned systems, as there are more problems with 2 systems on 1 computer. - Your Choice Here -

I do know this can be done, and is often done. This I know as you find general forums, like here, only get all the problems that do occur.
For this main reason I have never run partioned systems, even if they are both XP or Win7 with XP partition. To me it has never made sense.

You only use one O/S at any time, otherwise you are splitting your computers resourses with only some available to each partition.

Do I seem to make some sense with this so far ?

Thanks -

[calvert]

Now for the bit i am not sure about, do i need to wipe windows first or can i just choose install Ubuntu when i choose boot from cd rom, if i do this will windows be wiped completely as i want and be replaced with Ubuntu.

no, you don't need to wipe windows first, the ubuntu installer will do this for you,
it uses a guided install, there are choices at each step, one of the choices is to erase and use the whole disk,

or alternatively you can shrink the existing partition and install ubuntu on the free space,

these are choices given by the ubuntu live cd install,

if you do not want windows at all then erase and use the whole disk is your option,

just a note - you may need to use ethernet to connect to the internet to get your updates and your wireless packages, as a 700mb cd can only hold basic o/s and applications

[Tog]

Thank's very much all of you, i will fire it up and connect to internet via cable tomorrow and go for the whole disk option.

[noknojon]

OK -
When you are ready , I or someone else can help to guide you.
Do you also have access a second computer just in case you need instructions during the process ?

Thanks -

[Tog]

All went fine, got a new Windows box on 7 and an elderly Dell on xp so i'm pretty well covered, taking it slow and steady.