Help downgrading Ubuntu?

[Lucifer666]

I have to admit, I can be a tech-impaired little noob when it comes to computers with more than one operating system installed.

Right, so I have the latest Ubuntu (11.something) and I've never really used it because unfortunately it does not work properly. I've checked my problem on the net and it seems many have it too, so I decided "Oh what the heck, I'll just downgrade to the latest LTS version"

I'm currently downloading 10.04.4 and I intend on installing it from a USB flash disk.

When I installed Ubuntu before, I had to create a multi-boot option for it, 'cause it didn't have one. I did that using EasyBCD.

My question is: Assuming the fact that I am replacing the newest Ubuntu with an older one, are there any special steps I should follow? Will it automatically replace the newer one? And would I need to mess around with the dual-boot options, or can I keep them as they are? (Note that I do this manually)

Thanks!
Further clarification can be provided if it's needed. I know what I said above isn't all that clear so yeah.

 

[hamstarr]

Its safe to downgrade, (windows) dual-boot options can be left as they are configured now, it should work.
But be careful with installing grub to your MBR (at the end of the ubuntu installation), because you can override the windows bootloader (BCD) with it. Just dont install grub

An easier way to install Ubuntu and dual/triple/quadruple boot is to use ubuntu's wubi.exe
http://www.ubuntu.co...ndows-installer

It wil run ubuntu from a virtual disk file, which is put on your windows disk in (for example) c:\ubuntu\, no partitioning required.

Safest/easiest way to install it - if you have windows, that is -

 

[FAST6191]

I am probably supposed to say with big boy linux they should stick the home, root and otherwise on different partitions and thus allow you to swap around at will and it is mainly windows that gets all boot arrangement wiping happy (although some linux and other unix/BSD type arrangements have some interesting default installation ideas).
Ubuntu that I have seen shies away from this a bit on some occasions but I have not really done much with ubuntu in many years (assuming I am not going specialised, XBMC or liveCD it is mainly linux mint*, opensuse and debian that do linux on a desktop for me) so I am not sure what goes right now. If you do have partitions set up "properly" it should just be a matter of telling it what is where, making sure things are wiped that are supposed to be and left if not and leaving it to get on with it, it might get a bit more tricky if you want to keep some options but if you are going for a straight wipe it should be OK.

*if you are up for it you might want to give it a go. It is where quite a lot of people that like some of ubuntu's stuff but not some of their ideas end up going.

 

[hamstarr]

I am probably supposed to say with big boy linux they should stick the home, root and otherwise on different partitions and thus allow you to swap around at will and it is mainly windows that gets all boot arrangement wiping happy (although some linux and other unix/BSD type arrangements have some interesting default installation ideas).
Ubuntu that I have seen shies away from this a bit on some occasions but I have not really done much with ubuntu in many years (assuming I am not going specialised, XBMC or liveCD it is mainly linux mint*, opensuse and debian that do linux on a desktop for me) so I am not sure what goes right now. If you do have partitions set up "properly" it should just be a matter of telling it what is where, making sure things are wiped that are supposed to be and left if not and leaving it to get on with it, it might get a bit more tricky if you want to keep some options but if you are going for a straight wipe it should be OK.

*if you are up for it you might want to give it a go. It is where quite a lot of people that like some of ubuntu's stuff but not some of their ideas end up going.

do you actually read what you are replying to?
You're making things way too complicated.

@lucifer666 just downgrade it like you installed 11

 

[.Chris]

Its safe to downgrade, (windows) dual-boot options can be left as they are configured now, it should work.
But be careful with installing grub to your MBR (at the end of the ubuntu installation), because you can override the windows bootloader (BCD) with it. Just dont install grub

An easier way to install Ubuntu and dual/triple/quadruple boot is to use ubuntu's wubi.exe
http://www.ubuntu.co...ndows-installer

It wil run ubuntu from a virtual disk file, which is put on your windows disk in (for example) c:ubuntu, no partitioning required.

Safest/easiest way to install it - if you have windows, that is -

Also, check this out:
http://code.google.com/p/burg/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/customize-grub-boot-loader-burg-ubuntu/

 

[hamstarr]

@.Chris thanks for the link, didnt know it existed, looks better than grub ;p

 

[.Chris]

@.Chris thanks for the link, didnt know it existed, looks better than grub ;p

Yeah, no problem! You can even change and customize it!

 

[FAST6191]

I agree jumping to WUBI or something would be easier* but one of the nicer things about linux is the fairly standard nature and how acceptable is it for the home partitions and such to be well different partitions and an appreciation of that is maybe not essential in the run or not sense but pretty essential if you want to do more than scratch the surface so I will stand by it (I will however quite happily give you that my post was overly crammed with info). Autodetect of partitions is pretty good these days as well from what I have seen so chances are the OP would not even have to go manual and assign home partitions to things (not that it is terribly taxing to do it).

*easier maybe but I am not prepared to call such things production grade right now.

 

[Lucifer666]

That's extremely helpful. Thanks everyone! It worked