Wubi - The absolute easiest way for Windows users to install Linux

[dfwjacker]

Wubi is an unofficial Ubuntu installer for Windows users that will bring you into the Linux world with a few clicks. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other application. If you heard about Linux and Ubuntu, if you wanted to try them but you were afraid, this is for you.

Wubi currently only works with Windows 98 through Windows XP. Though, In spite of Microsoft's anti-competitive sabotage, Wubi developers are working on getting it running on Vista as well .

Wubi is Safe

It does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader.

Wubi is Simple

Just run the installer, no need to burn a CD.

Wubi is Discrete

Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and If you do not like, you can simply uninstall it.

Wubi is Free

Wubi (like Ubuntu) is free as in beer and as in freedom. You will get this part later on, the important thing now is that it cost absolutely nothing, it is our gift to you...

 

[dfwjacker]

Hi dfwjacker - that looks like a great utility. I downloaded it and checked out their website and read their FAQ.

Ignoring your comment about Microsoft (for now - since Linux takes over your system if you install it after Windows and makes it unbootable if you try to uninstall it) can you tell me what, if any, difference there is between the iso it downloads (ubuntu-7.04-alternate-i386.iso) and the usual iso of Ubuntu? I tried looking around but found nothing - is it a special iso or can I just copy and rename my original iso into the install folder?

I'd definitely give it a try on my Vista Ultimate install when I get a chance (I have it ghosted).

Thanks.

The alternate ISO doesn't contain the Live environment. Basically, it's just a regular text mode install CD, much like a Windows installation disk. This is also the ISO that you would download and install if your computer didn't have sufficient memory to boot into the Live CD or if you had any video related problems while trying boot the Live CD.

As far as Linux making your system unbootable after you uninstall Linux... You are NOT required to install GRUB/LILO to your master boot record. You can install it anywhere. There are people that have an external USB drive that has ubuntu and GRUB on it. They can boot to Windows whether the drive is plugged in or not (using GRUB if it's plugged in, or using Windows bootloader if it's not). If you choose to install the bootloader on your MBR and then decided to remove it, that's really your problem. That also is far from the being the same as the Vista dual boot issue. I can tell you that we are not going to agree on that issue, so lets just agree to disagree.

Also, I'm sure that you noticed that using Wubi removes the bootloader issue altogether.

 

[_AJ_]

You could try Virtual PC 2007 in vista am installing ubuntu now mouse isnt working yet but using mouse keys until i get a work around

 

[dfwjacker]

Virtual PC is a good option for testing things out, or for those that are more comfortable with it, but there are some drawbacks...

You must first boot into windows to access your virtual machine. If your Windows system goes down, you won't have access to your ubuntu system either and you are also limited to whatever hardware Virtual PC can emulate. Hardware acceleration for video and other devices may not work properly, etc... Also, since you have both systems booted at once they must share resources, so you can't utilize all of your systems resources on the virtual machine.

 

[dfwjacker]

So can I just rename my iso file and copy it into the Wubi install folder to save me from having to download Ubuntu again? Will Wubi work with it?


When I installed Ubuntu I don't remember being given that choice - Ubuntu installed a boot loader that set itself as the default. I understand that you can move stuff around with Linux but the MBR still needs to know where things are so yes we will have to agree to disagree.


I haven't gone through with the install yet cos I was waiting to see if I can use my regular iso as I have a download quota that I don't want to exceed.

I think it probably needs the alternate ISO to work, the Live CD uses a different install method, so I don't think renaming it will work.

I believe you have to use the manual install method to be able to access the advanced GRUB options.

 

[Marbas]

I downloaded and installed it on my laptop last night. The installation worked like a dream but, after a bit of playing around, I still couldn't get it to recognise my wireless connection and let me get on the net. So I uninstalled it just to see how well the unistall worked; that worked fine too.

I'll probably give it another go sometime. At the moment I have Ubuntu installed for dual boot with XP on my desktop and eventually I would really like to make it my primary os. Unfortunately, much as I like it, I have a few issues with Ubuntu: in spite of many attempts at finding drivers I still can't get my printer or webcam to work with it, and I find it a bit tiresome that I have to manually mount all of my external drives each time I boot up.

If I could get all of these things sorted out I would definitely be a Ubuntu convert.

 

[star-warrior]

There is another Wubi which is an IME or input method editor. It's a bit of software which basically allows the user to input via a QWERTY keyboard, codes which will select Chinese characters for input. The Wubi IME or Wubi zixing shufufa has a popular following in mainland china and elsewhere.

- Just a bit of clarification between this and the other, in case you're wondering why you're typing in Chinese after the install....

 

[dfwjacker]

I downloaded and installed it on my laptop last night. The installation worked like a dream but, after a bit of playing around, I still couldn't get it to recognise my wireless connection and let me get on the net. So I uninstalled it just to see how well the unistall worked; that worked fine too.

I'll probably give it another go sometime. At the moment I have Ubuntu installed for dual boot with XP on my desktop and eventually I would really like to make it my primary os. Unfortunately, much as I like it, I have a few issues with Ubuntu: in spite of many attempts at finding drivers I still can't get my printer or webcam to work with it, and I find it a bit tiresome that I have to manually mount all of my external drives each time I boot up.

If I could get all of these things sorted out I would definitely be a Ubuntu convert.

Glad the installer/uninstaller worked well for you.

If you still cant get your wireless working try using ndis-wrapper to install the windows driver for your wireless card. Just install the ndisgtk package and a nice GUI utility for doing this will be placed in your System>Administration menu.

For info on getting your printer working go to OpenPrinting. There is a database you can look to to see if your printer will work in Linux and what driver to use. Unfortunately though, there are some printers that will not work because the manufacture either will not provide a Linux driver, or they will not release the specifications so that someone else can write a driver. Also in a few cases, some printers are tied solely to the Window OS, similar to the way Winmodems are.

For web cam info go to Linux-USB Device Overview for compatible web cams or to see if yours is compatible. Again the same applies here, some manufactures refuse to provide a Linux driver or to provide the specs necessary for someone to create a driver. Most of the newer web cams work in my experience. If you have an older web cam and it doesn't work, it probably never will.

For your storage device issue, just install "Storage Device Manager" in Add/Remove Applications and run it from the System>Administration menu. Select the devices in question and use the assistant and set them each to mount at boot time.

 

[Marbas]

Thanks for the replies and links guys. I'm definitely not giving up on Ubuntu yet, the webcam issue isn't very important as I hardly ever use it anyway, but if I can get the wireless and printer to work it would be great.

 

[Marbas]

Excellent! Thank you my friend, I'll look into it.


PS. Don't ever worry about confusing me with multiple options, my natural state is permanently confused.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

Re: Wubi - The absolute easiest way for Windows us

oh i forgot about this thread. Good thread though! glad you found JUB and this thread. hope you enjoy.