Trying to install Kubuntu in place of Ubuntu

[vineyridge]

Dual Boot system
Windows XP on sda; Ubuntu (Unity) 16.04 with all the Live installation partitions on sdb. The 16.04.3 Kubuntu Live CD installer does not allow me to choose the disk I wish to use. My only option is sda. I prefer to have the operating systems on different disks, since I only use external HDs for my storage. I'm in the process of transitioning from Windows (which I have learned to hate) to exclusively linux.

How do I go about replacing Ubuntu with Kubuntu. If I repartition sdb for a clean install, I will screw up the Windows MBR/grub2 which I can fix, but I'd rather not have to go through that again.

I have a third, completely disk that I could install Kubuntu on if sdc could be selected, but when I try to use it I get "no root file system found". Is that repairable, and, if so, how?

Advice needed.

And thanks in advance

[GreyGeek]

Dual Boot system
Windows XP on sda1; Ubuntu (Unity) 16.04 with all the Live installation partitions on sdb1. The 16.04.3 Kubuntu Live CD installer does not allow me to choose the disk I wish to use. My only option is sda. I prefer to have the operating systems on different disks, since I only use external HDs for my storage. I'm in the process of transitioning from Windows (which I have learned to hate) to exclusively linux.

How do I go about replacing Ubuntu with Kubuntu. If I repartition sdb for a clean install, I will screw up the Windows MBR/grub2 which I can fix, but I'd rather not have to go through that again.

I have a third, completely disk that I could install Kubuntu on if sdc could be selected, but when I try to use it I get "no root file system found". Is that repairable, and, if so, how?

Advice needed.

And thanks in advance

"Ubuntu (Unity) 16.04 with all the Live installation partitions on sdb1" That makes no sense, unless you chose sdb as the device to install Kubuntu on using unetbootin, or something similar.

Boot a LiveUSB of Kubuntu 16.04. Run KParted and choose sdb as the target HD to install Kubuntu on. It will show you if there is any existing filesystem on the partition. Give the whole HD to the installation as "/". (Good time to use Btrfs, too!) Go from there but don't touch sda1 unless that's where your MBR is located and grub should go there.

[woodsmoke]

GG is a smart man, hold your hands in the stream of his wisdom and sup.



woodsmoke

[woodsmoke]

updated with pic

[jlittle]

In principle, you can install KDE in Ubuntu, you don't have to overwrite the install. Just install the kde-desktop meta-package. This would waste some space on the drive, and you might have to install some more packages to get all that Kubuntu would.

Regards, John Little

[vineyridge]

"Ubuntu (Unity) 16.04 with all the Live installation partitions on sdb1" That makes no sense, unless you chose sdb as the device to install Kubuntu on using unetbootin, or something similar.

Boot a LiveUSB of Kubuntu 16.04. Run KParted and choose sdb as the target HD to install Kubuntu on. It will show you if there is any existing filesystem on the partition. Give the whole HD to the installation as "/". (Good time to use Btrfs, too!) Go from there but don't touch sda1 unless that's where your MBR is located and grub should go there.

How do I do this? The installer on the Live CD doesn't give me the choice of sdb. I certainly don't want to touch sda. That's why I came here to ask. Sorry about the ignorant mistake. Ubuntu and all its installed partitions are on sdb.

a) What is unetbootin, and how do I use it?
b) Can I install directly from GParted?
c) How do I give the whole HD to the installation as "/" (root?)?
d) what is btrfs, and how do I use it? Grub2 is already on sda.

You're talking really basic ignorance in a 70 year old woman. I need detailed instructions.

[GreyGeek]

No need to apologize. We're all ignorant in one thing or another. In your situation I agree with John Little. Open the package manager and install the "plasma-desktop". Off the top of my 76 year old brain, and without access to my computer right now, the exact name is something like that. Just do a search for "desktop". You'll find it. It will give dozens of dependencies to install. Allow them. After you've installed the desktop reboot. In the login screen you will be given the option of choosing Ubuntu or KDE. Select KDE and enter your password. After the desktop comes up you can open the package manager again and search for additional KDE Plasma packages that you might want to use.

You'll have the ability to run either an Ubuntu program or a KDE (Plasma) program. Many people prefer to install both desktops to get that ability. Ignore what I said about Btrfs.


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[oshunluvr]

First off, grub will be re-installed along with Kubuntu so you're going though that regardless - unless you force it not to install. But if you did that you won't be able to boot to grub because when you wipe out Ubuntu you'll wipe out grub's files. However, I can't remember that last time grub gave me any issues.

The reason you aren't getting the option to install to sdb is because it's already occupied. The automatic installer looks for free space, it doesn't assume you're wiping out your old install. However, it should - if you left the installation type as "Guided - use entire disk" given you the option of selecting sda or sdb - you may not have noticed that's it a selection bar: Notice the line in the middle on thos screenshot where it says "SCSI3 (0,0,0) (sda) ...". Click on it and it should offer sdb and I believe it defaults to btrfs. If it doesn't you'll have to choose "Manual" partitioning and select the partition(s) you want to install to (SEE BELOW).

You don't need unetbootin if you're already booting to a usable live image with a CD.

You don't need gparted because Ubiquity has a partition utility within it - and no you can't install from gparted.

BTRFS has nothing to do with this other than it's an improved file system format - you can decide for yourself if you want to try it. The main advantage of btrfs for you at this point is you can have a separate home without creating several partitions - it will use the entire drive if that's what you wish


Here's what I suggest for manual partitioning:

Before beginning; know beyond a shadow of a doubt where grub is now installed (sda or sdb), know that everything on sdb will be erased and make backup copies of anything you want to keep.
Boot to the liveCD.
While in the live session, launch the "Partition Editor" (in Applications menu under "System");

Delete your old Ubuntu root and home partitions from sdb, leave swap. If swap was in the middle of the free space on the drive, delete swap too.
If needed: Create a new swap partition at the front of the free space.
Create a single partition with the remaining free space and select btrfs as the format.

Save the selections and format the drive.
Exit the Partition Manager.
Launch the installer;

On the "Installation Type" screen, select "Manual Partitioning" and "Continue."
You will now see a "Prepare Partitions" screen with both drives and all your partitions displayed.
Select the btrfs partition on drive sdb and click the "change" button. This opens a window labeled "Edit Partition."
For "Use as:" select "btrfs"
Do not check the "Format" box as you already formatted it.
For "Mount Point:" be sure "/" is in there (should have appeared when you selected btrfs for "Use as").
Click OK.
BEFORE CLICKING "Install Now" BE SURE THE CORRECT DRIVE IS SELECTED UNDER "Boot Loader" near the bottom of the Prepare Partitions window.

When you're sure everything is right, click "Install now" and finish your install.

The first time you boot, you should have both Kubuntu and Windows as options.

[chimak111]

While it's certainly possible to have both Ubuntu (Unity) and KDE together, it's not my preference. And there are quite a few instances of complications or at least additional steps that may confound a new user. In no particular order and some may no longer apply:

https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ku...ne/148496.html
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2307374
https://bugs.launchpad.net/kubuntu-ppa/+bug/1451728
https://askubuntu.com/questions/7687...untu-16-04-lts
https://askubuntu.com/questions/6212...n-ubuntu-15-04
https://askubuntu.com/questions/7645...n-ubuntu-16-04
https://askubuntu.com/questions/6183...rvice-which-is

A clean install of the desired flavor is the best, unless one has the patience and nous to overcome difficulties.

[vineyridge]

1. I have looked for grub, and it can't be found on my windows disk--sda. I have set Windows to show all hidden files and I also have a search called "everything" that cannot find it except in the program Seagate Disc Wizard (or some such name). It's a utility from Seagate.

2. I have looked for grub with whereis and found several references to it on sdb, so I would assume it is on the Ubuntu disk.

Given that, how do I do a clean kubuntu install for dual boot, when the kubuntu installer for dual boot only gives the option of using sda? That is to say that if I click on dual boot, it does not give any disk options.

Uninstalling the ubuntu partition does not uninstall grub and seriously screws up the Windows MBR, if I am remembering correctly.

I'm going now to check out the kubuntu installer.

[oshunluvr]

Well, not sure what you mean by "looked for grub". If you mean you searched for the grub files, yes they're part of the Ubuntu install. What you need to know is which drive has grub installed in the boot record. You can't search that by normal means.

I should have been more clear: The question really is what disk are you booting too? If you know for sure - that is where grub is installed. If you're not sure, open a terminal and enter this:

sudo dd if=/dev/sda bs=1 count=4 skip=392

You should see a result like this:

GRUB4+0 records in
4+0 records out
4 bytes copied, 1.9063e-05 s, 210 kB/s

If GRUB isn't there, it's possible you have the wrong drive, so run it on both sda and sdb. If GRUB doesn't show on either drive, let me know and I'll give you another way to skin this cat

Given that, how do I do a clean kubuntu install for dual boot, when the kubuntu installer for dual boot only gives the option of using sda? That is to say that if I click on dual boot, it does not give any disk options.

Here, you're a little confused. The installer doesn't setup dual booting, update-grub does. During the install, update-grub will run after grub is re-installed to your drive. It should automatically find Windows XP and add it to the boot menu. When installation is over and you remove the CD and reboot, you should see Windows in the grub menu. If you don't, report it here and we'll help you get it in the menu.

The main thing is be absolutely sure you're wiping the Ubuntu drive and not the Windows drive. This sort of thing is not reversible...

[vineyridge]

I ran the code that you posted for sda and got the exact response you posted. That must mean that I'm definitely booting to sda.

I also opened the kubuntu installer, and did what you suggested--guided install-entire disk. I found sdb just where you said it would be. The installer showed 4 partitions for ubuntu but only one for kubuntu. During the install, will kubuntu install a swap file? Or is one needed with the entire disk install?

Another question: the Live CD hangs up on shutdown/exit after use of the "install kubuntu" option and says something about Plasma, but I forget what. On the screen there are several options, one of which is close. That doesn't work. It's happened twice. I've been using the system's shutoff button. That bug won't carry over to the permanent install, will it?

[oshunluvr]

No swap file but if there's a swap partition it will find it. Swap is not required, but is a good idea.

Can't speak to the CD hang, usually it wants you to eject the disk and hit enter to finish the shut down so try that, and no I don't think you'll cause any problems hitting the reset or power button if you've attempted shutdown and it hangs - when running from the CD...

[vineyridge]

If a swap partition isn't required and if the installer will find the one that's there, it isn't anything to worry about.

I shall begin this adventure tomorrow morning at 4 or 5 am, so I won't use too much of my data allowance from Hughesnet. I'll let y'all know how it went.

I've got my fingers crossed that shutdown doesn't hang in the permanent install.