changing operating systems vista to ubuntu?

Question

hey i am thinking of changing my os on my laptop from windows vista to ubuntu but i am worried that i am going to loose all my files. if i do change will i be able to keep my files such as movies music and photos? also i have programmes such as bittorrent and google chrome will they work on ubuntu?
cheers guys

Answer 1

You should ALWAYS backup your personal files to an external source (CDs/DVDs/USB HD) before loading a new OS. I personally prefer saving all my personal files to a USB HD. All your multimedia files will work fine on Ubuntu (though you will be using different programs to access them). You will need to install the Ubuntu-Restricted-Extras package (found in the Synaptic Package Manager) to get them working though. Ubuntu comes with a bittorrent program called Transmission. It works very similar to uTorrent on Windows. Google is currently working on the Linux version of Chrome but it probably won't be out till some time in 2011. You will have to use either Firefox or Opera in the mean time.

Answer 2

Definitely back up your files. You won't be able to run your current programs on Linux, but bittorrent has a Linux version (there's also the Transmission client that comes installed) and Google is working on a chrome for Linux, if it hasn't come out yet.



You can also set up a dual-boot procedure on your computer, so you don't have to drop Windows. This requires more work; you have to manually partition your hard drive (Partition Magic is a good partitioner) to make space for your Linux install. There may also be a Linux Users Group near you, and there'd probably be someone there who'd be happy to help you through the installation.

Answer 3

You must know that they are wholly different operating systems, so, there are software versions for each OS, e.g., there will be ubuntu version of bittirent for Ubuntu. You must backup your music, photos and other important data to an external media (or another partition) before attempting to install, because, the process will format your hard drive thereby erasing all data. Also note that Ubuntu will create a new partition in the first sector of your Hard disk to use as linux swap. You have to be careful not to let the installer use the whole Hard disk for installation (this can be choosen on ubuntu installation process, it will prompt you). If you are new to Linux, i recommend you consult an experienced user so as not to accidentally wipe your hard drive of all data. Cheers.

Answer 4

Ubuntu has its own bittorrent

you will lose your files you will have to copy them to disc or so

and put the wine in Ubuntu and then you can put them in there

You can also run windows apps in linux with wine

I just installed Ubuntu in My desktop

Still have to learn other stuff about how to work it but was the easiest Linux I could find

Answer 5

Anyone running Windows, I personally suggest dual boot so you can have the best of both systems. You will find times when you will need Windows to do certain things and other times where Linux will do everything you need. You need Windows if you are into gaming, Linux hasn't gotten to the point necessary to dump Windows completely. Wish you the best adventure possible with Linux.

Answer 6

umbunto comes with a torrent program by default, and the default browser is firefox, im not sure if google chrome will work. as far as your files i dont think u can import them over as if u were upgrading to another windows os, so u will have to manually back them up before u install linux.

Answer 7

Instead of Ubuntu I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 7 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 9.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38



Linux Mint 7 User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 7 (Gloria)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-7-gloria



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 7 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 7 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



INSTALL LINUX MINT WITHIN WINDOWS



Linux Mint has a feature called mint4win based on the Wubi installer (Ubuntu) which enables you to install Linux Mint within windows (Windows 7 run Wubi/mint4win in vista compatability mode)



Mint4Win – A Wubi based Installer for Linux Mint

http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/



Installing a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



mint4win like Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the LiveCD you have just created and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where mint4win comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Linux Mint is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint



Linux Mint 7 comes with Transmission as the default Bittorrent client and Firefox 3 as the default web browser

http://torrentfreak.com/transmission-bittorrent-client-ubuntu-080130/



Google Chrome is not supported at present however there is an open source project called Chromium which is as close as you will get

http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-chromium-google-chrome-in-ubuntu-using-deb-package.html



CURRENT SESSION



Linux Mint 7 ext3 with switchable Beryl 0.2.1* and Compiz 0.8.3**

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-7-gloria

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-7-gloria

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_(window_manager)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz

*Beryl 0.2.1 sourced from Ubuntu 7.04 repositories

**Compiz 0.8.3 sourced from Ubuntu 9.10 (Alpha 6) repositories





LUg.