ameir

For your case, although Ubuntu was installed on the second hard drive, Grub should have been installed on the MBR of the first hard drive. So long as no hardware changes occurred, Grub should be able to locate your Ubuntu install.I highly recommend you try running Ubuntu in a virtual machine to get a feel for it before doing anything risky with your PC. Installing Ubuntu is actually straightforward in most cases, but if you're not confident about it, just hold off until you are. In the meantime, download Virtualbox (an EXCELLENT open source virtualization tool like VMware) and the Ubuntu iso, point the "CD-ROM" drive to the Ubuntu iso image, and boot away! When you maximize the screen, it will look just as if you booted into the real Ubuntu (well it actually is the real Ubuntu, just not on a real Linux partition).I hope this helps, and I hope you finally get it figured out. After you trial Ubuntu, try out Linux Mint and/or Mepis. They're strong operating systems that are very newbie-friendly, but still as powerful as Ubuntu/Debian (Linux Mint is basically Ubuntu with built-in codecs, and Mepis was the same until they went back to Debian roots).

I've done this maybe hundreds of times now (for myself and for my job), and would like to recommend a few things. There are two software tools out there, RVM Integrator and Nlite, that not only aide you with all of this, but they do most of the work. They even can integrate drivers and additional software into your new iso image. So after a fresh install, you can have Firefox, Thunderbird, all SPs and updates, etc. I recommend using one or the other (or both) for software integration, then using Nlite for the winnt.sif file and the creating of the bootable disc. Great stuff.

That's an interesting project. Ubuntu is actually creating a very similar tool where a full-fledged Ubuntu install is done on a Windows partition. Instead of Grub or Lilo, an entry is made into the boot.ini file. Does Wubi treat Ubuntu like a virtual machine or does it actually boot independent of another OS?

I've always liked Debian-based operating systems and have used pure Debian for a number of years. Most recently, I have switched over to Ubuntu for my home servers, and use Linux Mint for my desktop. I have Ubuntu 6.10 on my laptop (dual-boot with XP), that I'll be wiping out soon to put Linux Mint on it. Check it out; they have GNOME and KDE editions.I also think Mepis is an excellent choice, but honestly haven't tried it in about a year or so. But back when I did, I was highly satisfied!p.s. I also use Windows XP when need be.