How do I select a root file system when partitioning?

Question

I want to install Ubuntu on the C: partition where my Windows 7 is, simply to replace the systems. I've also tried to install it on another partition (without formating it), which failed!

All I get is:

No root file system is defined. Please correct this from the partitioning menu.

I want to install Ubuntu without formatting any of my partitions. Is that possible?

"...without formating none...", did you mean "without formatting any" or "by formatting one"? — Lekensteyn, Feb 07 '12 at 22:24
http://askubuntu.com/questions/134124/why-do-i-get-no-root-file-system-is-defined-when-i-try-install-in-one-partitio — , Dec 03 '12 at 06:57

William · Answer 1 · 2012-02-07T03:29:07.693

4

You need to select a root file system in the advanced partition editor, select your hard drive where you want Ubuntu and set the mount point to /. enter image description here

edited Feb 07 '12 at 03:29

answered Feb 07 '12 at 00:00

William

7,668

Very important: set the partition type to EXT4, Ubuntu does not like NTFS or even FAT for the root filesystem. – Lekensteyn Feb 07 '12 at 22:09
Good point. Ubuntu can run on ntfs or fat drives, it's just slower. But you can access it in Windows that way. – William Feb 07 '12 at 22:11
That works only if you've a file holding the filesystem (the method used for persistent Live USB). The other method is Wubi and uses a file on the NTFS disk as well. – Lekensteyn Feb 07 '12 at 22:15
Yes, and it is a lot harder to do it that way too. – William Feb 07 '12 at 22:22
And that's why you're recommended to partition it as mentioned in this answer :) – Lekensteyn Feb 07 '12 at 22:23
Yep, pretty much. – William Feb 07 '12 at 22:25

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 07 '12 at 00:38

It sounds like Wubi might be better for you... if you don't want to rearrange or format any of your partitions, you can consider using Wubi (see this page for more information about Wubi).

Normally I do not recommend Wubi, but if you absolutely do not want to change your partition structure or format any of your partitions, that might be the way to go.

How do I select a root file system when partitioning?

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