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Question About Installing

mdiemer

Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:12:43 am

I have successfully installed Zorin 15 on a dual boot system, which had two other GNU/Linux systems on it. However, I was confused during the install. I wanted to replace Kubuntu with Zorin. The installer's default choice looked like it was what I wanted, which was to replace Kubuntu with Zorin. However when I proceeded, I got a message that sda1 was to be formatted. That is not the partition I wanted to install to; it has a different Linux on it, which I wanted to keep. Fearing the worst, I proceeded to the "do something else" option, and I manually chose sda5, the partition Kubuntu was on. I flagged it as the mount point and proceeded with the install. Which had some adventures (hanging at the end), but now everything looks and is working great.

So, what I need to know is, why did the installer say sda1 was going to be formatted? Wouldn't that mean that it was planning to install there? If so, it would have wiped out the other Linux, which I want to keep. Or is that somehow OK, and I should have trusted the default option (replace Kubuntu with Zorin)?

Thanks, Mike

Swarfendor437

Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:30:19 am

Hi Mike,
I think by default, most auto installers will look for the first drive/partition in the chain as the further from the start of a disk an OS is installed to can create issues further down the line that is why Wolfman and myself have always promoted the "something else' method of installation. If a machine has two hard drives it is always best to remove the ones that have other OS's on. ;) :D

mdiemer

Fri Jun 07, 2019 4:44:30 pm

That makes sense. I do also disconnect the other hard drives to prevent disasters. In this case both OS were on the same drive, which of course makes it a bit trickier. I think I will make it a habit to use the "do something else" option. you have complete control then (and only yourself to blame if something goes wrong).

Swarfendor437

Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:30:04 pm

mdiemer wrote:That makes sense. I do also disconnect the other hard drives to prevent disasters. In this case both OS were on the same drive, which of course makes it a bit trickier. I think I will make it a habit to use the "do something else" option. you have complete control then (and only yourself to blame if something goes wrong).


That's correct. When you have two OS's on one drive, make a note of which one is which after installing first one (sda1 for / and sda5 for /home for example). Newer partitions get different numbers - also useful in some instances to make one / bigger than the other but remember to make a note of which is which. There is an option in GParted I believe during install for naming but not sure. ;) :D