Did a full install of Ubuntu 14.04, want to install a dual boot of Vista

[Gettwobirdsstone]

I did a full install of Ubuntu a long time ago. I need Vista back on my laptop. I've tried resizing my HDD with a NTFS partition, but keep getting errors while installing Vista. I know the Boot for Vista is gone from the full install of Ubuntu 14.04. Can anyone help, either by dual boot or just killing Ubuntu off and going for a full install of Vista and fixing my MBR boot. I've tried a lot of things, and I have done a dual boot of Vista after Ubuntu full install in the past, but can't remember exactly how to do it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-FYI I don't have any other windows version, and I can't download a cracked version as my CD drive is crummy and won't even read let alone burn.

 

[izy]

FYI you can make boot USB drives with RUFUS and isos of windows and other operating systems.

i think you need to install windows first then install Ubuntu so GRUB takes over for dual booting, either that or manually install some form of boot manager

 

[DaRk_ViVi]

First of all you can use a tool like https://rufus.akeo.ie/ to create a Windows bootable USB key and use it instead of the CD.
I don't know how to fix dual boot at this point, but if you don't care about killing Ubuntu off you can just boot Vista/7/8/10 from the USB key and, going on the advanced option during the setup, wipe every partition off your hard drive.

After that if you want Linux back you can install Ubuntu again from a bootable device (https://unetbootin.github.io/) and it should prompt you the option to keep both OSes on your disk in a dual boot.

 

[EmanueleBGN]

Vista? ... WHY?
Install Seven (or 10)

 

[Gettwobirdsstone]

I think my problem is my Vista install disc doesn't have the means to fix the boot, not sure why.

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First of all you can use a tool like https://rufus.akeo.ie/ to create a Windows bootable USB key and use it instead of the CD.
I don't know how to fix dual boot at this point, but if you don't care about killing Ubuntu off you can just boot Vista/7/8/10 from the USB key and, going on the advanced option during the setup, wipe every partition off your hard drive.

After that if you want Linux back you can install Ubuntu again from a bootable device (https://unetbootin.github.io/) and it should prompt you the option to keep both OSes on your disk in a dual boot.

ok my vista install is on 2 separate disc. And how do I fix my boot in order to run Vista?
Also how do I run this on Ubuntu?

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Vista? ... WHY?
Install Seven (or 10)

I don't think my laptop will run 7

 

[DaRk_ViVi]

I think my problem is my Vista install disc doesn't have the means to fix the boot, not sure why.

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ok my vista install is on 2 separate disc. And how do I fix my boot in order to run Vista?
Also how do I run this on Ubuntu?

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I don't think my laptop will run 7

If it runs Vista, it runs 7 (better than Vista).
2 separate disks? This is probably a recover disk from the pc maker, I don't think you can convert them to a USB drive.

Get a 7 iso somewhere then follow this to create a USB key under Ubuntu: http://askubuntu.com/questions/289559/how-can-i-create-a-windows-bootable-usb-stick-using-ubuntu

 

[Deleted User]

I had an xp laptop from like 2005 that ran 7 fine, all you need is drivers and itll work

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

You could side-install using a USB but Vista? Surely 7 is a better option.

By the way, Lubuntu's a better distro if your machine isn't too strong.

 

[blax722]

7 is better than Vista, even for slower laptops (I used netbook - Compaq 311c until last year and worked like a charm with Ubuntu netbook remix and windows 7)
The best way to do dualboot is to install windows first, because they are selfish and mess up MBR. If you have any problem with partitions, you can try Gparted - there is live CD that you simply "burn" to USB drive (or SD card if your bios can boot form SD card reader) using Une... okay, Rufus (still fan of Unetbootin that will actually download the iso you want).

And yeah, there is tons of ubuntu distributions like Lubuntu, Xubuntu and so, but I think you can always choose DWM so it does not matter which one you install (pick Awesome DWM!!)

 

[Gettwobirdsstone]

K, just finished getting windows 7. So I'm going to try to install, and will get back with results

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

7 is better than Vista, even for slower laptops (I used netbook - Compaq 311c until last year and worked like a charm with Ubuntu netbook remix and windows 7)
The best way to do dualboot is to install windows first, because they are selfish and mess up MBR. If you have any problem with partitions, you can try Gparted - there is live CD that you simply "burn" to USB drive (or SD card if your bios can boot form SD card reader) using Une... okay, Rufus (still fan of Unetbootin that will actually download the iso you want).

And yeah, there is tons of ubuntu distributions like Lubuntu, Xubuntu and so, but I think you can always choose DWM so it does not matter which one you install (pick Awesome DWM!!)

Could've done that but in my experience and for convenience Lubuntu is perfect for me, I've installed in about every machine that couldn't handle Windows (7) anymore and they all work moderately decent. I have an Acer 9300 laptop (the cable of the screen is in a dangerously bad situation from making the monitor unusable) and it runs faster than with a Windows OS but that's expected.

I'd never recommend anyone to get a laptop from the Acer brand as the hinges break too easily from personal experience.

 

[blax722]

Yeah, Linux distributions are pretty variable so it's up to everyone which one is the best for them. Personally I hate taking my mouse (touchpad is thing from hell for me) everywhere I go, so I started to use Ubuntu/Arch linux with Awesome DWM.

 

[Gettwobirdsstone]

Got it to work, now have win 7 basic, the premium kept freezing. Thanks everyone for the help!!!!

 

[mgrev]

every time i read "Vista", i get a bit more cancer

 

[Pacheko17]

I don't think my laptop will run 7

7 is more lightweight than Vista.

Vista needs 4GBs of ram while 7 needs 2GBs.