Windows - Add MS Windows to Your System76 Machine
From Knowledge76
Contents |
So You Have to Have MS Windows?
OK - some people really actually need Windows for some reason. This article walks you through adding Windows to your System76 Laptop or Desktop computer. This should also work for anyone who wants to add Windows to a pre-existing Ubuntu computer.
IMPORTANT!!
This process can result in DATA LOSS. Make sure to backup your Home directory before proceeding.
Re-size Your Partition
First we need to make space for Windows. We will use the latest Ubuntu installation CD to do this. Download the Desktop Installation CD here.
Burn the .iso Image to Disk
Insert a blank CD-ROM. When prompted if you want to create a data or audio CD just click Ignore
Browse to the folder where you saved the .iso file, right-click on it and select Write to Disc...
Click Write and wait as the disc is written
Boot from the Ubuntu Live Disk
Insert your new Ubuntu disk into your computer and shutdown
When the machine starts to boot press either escape or F11
Choose CD/DVD as your boot device
Choose Start or Install Ubuntu from the Ubuntu Install Disk Menu
Resize Your Ubuntu Partition
Start gparted to resize your existing Ubuntu partition
Open System > Administration > Gnome Partition Editor
Click on the partition you want to resize (For this laptop it is /dev/hda1)
Click Resize/Move in the toolbar
Change the Free Space Following: to the size of Windows partition you want. For example I will allocate 20 GB to Windows.
Click Resize
Click Apply
Resizing the partition will take a few minutes. Once complete shutdown the computer. Ubuntu will eject the disk. Insert your Windows installation disk and boot from it.
Install Windows
Simply run through the installlation process.
When you get to the partition screen choose to install Windows on your new Unpartitioned Space.
Partition the space FAT32 if you want to be able to exchange files between Ubuntu and Windows partitions.
Reinstall GRUB Bootloader and MBR (Master Boot Record)
Pop in that Ubuntu Desktop Install Disk and Boot to it again.
Open a Terminal - Applications > Accessories > Terminal (One command per line)
sudo grub root (hd0,0) setup (hd0) quit
Reboot - Grub will now allow you to boot into Ubuntu but not Windows - One more step. Boot into Ubuntu.
sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst
Add the following lines to the bottom of the file
title Windows root (hd0,1) chainloader +1
Reboot and you're all done! Press escape when you see GRUB to boot into your Windows partition.
