0

I've been using windows 7 on my HP Pavilion G6 for quite a while now, I've always wanted to install Ubuntu and have all the files on my USB Flash Drive after using Universal USB installer. My USB is a Cruzer Edge 4gb, and I just want to know the chances of it breaking (there is also no boot from usb option)

EDIT: Not sure if this is a problem, but I've installed it on virtualbox and it's really, really, really laggy.

Nyanical
  • 21
  • 1
  • 5
  • Are you trying to install Ubuntu from your USB or are you storing your files on the usb? Some BIOS's have disabled usb boot, go into boot options and enable it, if it doesn't boot... – Alvar Oct 05 '14 at 11:16
  • Trying to install Ubuntu from a USB. I used universal usb installer for it. – Nyanical Oct 05 '14 at 11:26
  • does it boot at all or? – Alvar Oct 05 '14 at 11:31
  • I haven't tried yet, I'm too afraid I might break something. – Nyanical Oct 05 '14 at 11:34
  • Ok, I will try soon, but I don't know how to partition the hard-drive, so I won't be able to do that. – Nyanical Oct 05 '14 at 11:53
  • It won't let me boot from USB, there is no options in boot devices, no "legacy boot" anywhere, I changed the boot order so ALL usb devices are above, It still boots into windows. I guess I have to give up trying to get Ubuntu :( – Nyanical Oct 05 '14 at 13:53
  • you most likely have to press a key for it to boot to the usb. I have to press f3, some has to press f5, try them or google your computer model. – Alvar Oct 05 '14 at 14:10
  • It said nothing about a key, All I did was change the boot order so the USB options were on top. If this doesn't work, I'll try and run my Lubuntu DVD, But whenever I press "Install Lubuntu Alongside Windows 7", it says Restart, tells me to move installation media and boots back into Win7. – Nyanical Oct 05 '14 at 14:13
  • Have you looked at the link I posted? – Alvar Oct 05 '14 at 15:27
  • Don't worry, you have no chance of breaking something by booting from an Ubuntu Live USB. – It's Willem Jan 15 '16 at 20:22

3 Answers3

0

  1. The chances of Ubuntu damaging your computer hardware are negligible.

  2. You can choose to “Try Ubuntu” before installing it. That way you can discover and research possible hardware driver issues.

  3. What you should consider is the risk, that you accidentally delete your data while repartitioning¹ your drive(s) for an additional operating system. Stick to the installation instructions or other reliable² advice³, be careful, and back up your data!

The performance of virtual machines cannot be compared reasonably to that of natively running software. They're known to have poor (graphics) performance without proper configuration.

¹ Can be done with during installation. The installer will assist you. For details see the answers linked at ² and ³.

² for legacy BIOS

³ for UEFI BIOS

David Foerster
  • 36,264
  • 56
  • 94
  • 147
  • I have nothing to back up my data on, and I don't know how to partition. – Nyanical Oct 05 '14 at 11:58
  • You shouldn't proceed any further when you have no possibility to back up data. Regarding partitioning: http://askubuntu.com/q/343268/40581 – LiveWireBT Oct 06 '14 at 05:31
0

The Ubuntu installer is a robust piece of software, breaking thing with that is hard.

The "installer" has an "try ubuntu" option where an ubuntu experience is loaded directly in the RAM leaving the hdd untouched, and thus reducing the chance of breaking things to zero. This is a very useful and foolproof way of getting familiar with Ubuntu/linux, and you can always decide to get back to ol-Windows later.

So in short:

the installers chance of bricking your PC = tiny

the "try ubuntu" option chance of bricking your pc = zero

Pascal
  • 173
  • I would be very careful with such statements. While it may work for you without breaking things, other users may very well break their software or hardware in ways you don't expect. Also expect that users buy crappy hardware seemingly on purpose or don't know how to judge quality regarding Linux compatibility. http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2014/08/ubuntu-installer-bug-wipes-partitions https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/ – LiveWireBT Oct 06 '14 at 05:10
0

It's not surprising your seeing things are laggy with VirtualBox. You're sharing resources between Windows and Ubuntu. You can change your settings to give more of your system over to the virtual machine but it's always going to be less powerful than running it exclusively on the machine

Munki Fisht
  • 105