Windows - Add MS Windows to Your System76 Machine

From Knowledge76

So a Virtualized Windows just won't cut it?

This is an advanced tutorial, and should only be attempted at your own risk. If you need to use Windows on your System76 machine, it is recommended to Virtualize Windows instead.

IMPORTANT!!

This process can result in DATA LOSS. Make sure to backup your Home Folder before proceeding.

Also, these instructions are fairly specific to System76 machines. The basics can be applied to any Ubuntu computer, but you almost certainly will need to modify them slightly to get them to work for you.

Re-size Your Partition

First we need to make space for Windows. We will use the latest Ubuntu installation CD to do this. Download the Ubuntu Installation CD here. Make sure to get the same edition (32-bit or 64-bit) as what is currently installed on your computer. For most systems, this will be 64-bit. As it downloads, scroll down the page and get the instructions for creating the CD or USB drive you will be using.

Boot from the Ubuntu Live Disk

Insert your new Ubuntu disk into your computer and shutdown When the machine starts to boot press either F1, F7, or F10 to select which device to boot from. Choose the DVD drive or USB flash drive, then press enter. Wait for Ubuntu to boot completely, then choose Try Ubuntu from the Ubuntu Installer.

Resize Your Ubuntu Partition

Click on the Ubuntu Button near the top right, then type gparted into the search box that opens. Click on the first result. Right-click on any "linux-swap" partition type. In the example below, it is /dev/sda5. Click "swapoff" in the menu that appears.

Click on the partition you want to resize. This is usually the largest partition (For this laptop it is /dev/sda1). Click Resize/Move in the toolbar.

Drag the black arrow on the right of the partition to the left to change the Free Space Following: to the size of Windows partition you want. For example I will allocate 19728 MB, or about 20 GB, to Windows. Then click Resize/Move.

Click on the Green checkmark to Apply.

Resizing the partition will take a few minutes. Once it's complete, restart the computer. Ubuntu will eject the disk. Insert your Windows installation disk and boot from it following the same procedure you used to boot to Ubuntu.

Install Windows

When prompted, press a key to boot from the DVD.

The CD will then boot up and present you with this installation window:

Continue with this installation until you reach the step asking whether you want to Upgrade or Install Custom. Choose Custom. This will bring you to this screen:

Click on Drive Options (Advanced). Click on the Disk 0 Unallocated Space, then click on New. Leave the size default, then click Apply.

Make sure that the new partition is selected. then click Next.

Now, complete the installation following the instructions on the screen.

Reenable Ubuntu

When Windows is installed, it removes the ability to boot into Ubuntu. Using your Live Disk from earlier, we can set up the system so that you can choose to boot either Ubuntu or Windows when your computer starts up.

Insert the Ubuntu Install Disk you burned earlier, then boot to it.

Click on the Ubuntu button in the upper left, then type terminal into the search box. Click on the first result.

With the terminal Window open, type in the following commands, each followed by enter:

sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
sudo mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
sudo mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
sudo cp /etc/resolv.conf /mnt/etc/resolv.conf
sudo chroot /mnt
grub-install /dev/sda

After this, reboot your computer, removing the disk when prompted, and Ubuntu will now start.

Now, there is only one step left to getting your dual-boot set up. Once Ubuntu boots, log in and open up a new terminal.

Type in this command, followed by enter:

sudo update-grub

And Windows will be added to your boot menu. This will let you select between Ubuntu and Windows each time you start up your computer.