Reinstalling PC

I have this great idea to reinstall my PC that has the broken software that doesn't let it load.

I'm thinking of buying Windows 7, but I might install Linux (or Ubuntu... whats the difference?) before I actually go out and buy Windows 7... just to try it out... maybe I'll save some money here.

What I need to know... how do I reformat the hard drive and install Linux (or ubuntu) on it? I've never done these kind of things so I'm not sure.

1. Whats the difference between Linux, Unix, and Ubuntu? What each of the OS have that is their specialty? (Like what are they good for/at?)

2. Which one would you recommend for graphic design and web development/programming?

3. How do I reformat the hard drive to make it work with one of those OS?

4. How do I install the OS?

5. I'm thinking of having a partition of one of those and then an another with Windows 7, and another partition where I store my files for Windows 7 so I would be able to reinstall Windows 7 without the need to back up my files... will this work? How would I be able to accomplish this? I've never set up partitions so I need some guidance here.

6. Should I download the 32bit or 64bit Ubuntu/Linux/Unix?

7. Thank you.

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I've being looking at UBUNTU and favoring it... is Linux just the kernel or something? linux.org isn't providing much information/screenshots.

Ok, I got the ubuntu installed on an 8gig flash drive (there's only the os and nothing else) and then in the bios boot order I made it so that it will only boot from the USB... It's giving me the following error:



I checked if the flash drive was in the USB and then looked for the any key... Couldn't find it... Lol just kidding.

Anyway, I pressed the space bar but it gave me the same error... After that I tried the flash drive on all of the USB ports but it still gave me that error. I'm not sure on what to do next, except to wait for tomorrow and burn the cd boot thing... That is my last thing before I buy a new hard drive for this piece of *plum* pc... I'm not happy with this mess lol... More I think about it the more I want ubuntu

If you just want to try out Ubuntu, just put in the live CD/DVD and boot from it. You'll get a complete Ubuntu desktop to play around with before installing anything to your hard drive.

I thought about doing that, but since the windows version was broken, I decided to just install Ubuntu... So far, I'm having problems learning Ubuntu, but... I'm getting there


I'm really surprised at the patience I got here from you guys

Thanks though, I just instlaled Ubuntu on the PC and it's all working perfectly fine I'm really happy with it (minus some flash incompatibility issues, but I can live with that).


What I'm talking about is that if I watch a vid on youtube and make it fullscreen, it gets jerky like its run on a very slow connection even if the move is buffered 100%... (Loaded all of it).

Anyway to fix that? I mean it's ok, but it could be better if it was working.

My screen resolution is: 1920x1080 (16:9) so the fullscreen vid gets a bit huge (and pixelated )

If your running onboard (integrated) graphcis it might just be because of that.

That might be it, is there anyway to check just to be sure?

To check what?

If the problem is in fact from the onboard graphics or if it's from something else?

Or is it that if the graphics are integrated then it would definitely do this?


The PC is custom built, so I'm not even sure how the graphics are setup on the motherboard. (I wasn't the one who built the PC). But integrated graphics sound like the default way to setup the graphics. (I don't think it's a dedicated graphics card, although I have no idea the difference on the computer [meaning how it looks]).

Typically the monitor connection for onboard video is going to be near your USB ports. If it is a dedicated video card it will be lower down in the back.

If that is so, then it's a dedicated video card.

Then in that case you may need to update the drivers, couldn't tell you how to do that in Ubuntu. I'm sure Google or the Linux forums could assist you there.

The last time I used Ubuntu I remember having issues with fullscreen flash, so it's not just you.

Were you able to fix that?

How do I check what drivers I check on Ubuntu?

I found this but not sure of which driver it is (if I even got the right topic), and even if I did know which one, I'm not sure on what to do next even after those instruction Inexperience is a pain in the bottom

I wouldn't use Unix as your graphic design OS.


Your first thought is usually the right one....


Linux and Ubuntu are are 'flavors' of Unix. They have minor differences.


It seems you figured this one out


^Answer above^


Windows 7(Mac if you have the cash)


It seems your figured these two out


When you install an OS you have options to split up your hard drive into multiple partitions. You can set a different OS for each partition. You've probably seen this when you installed Unix.


That depends on your processor. You need a processor that is capable of running a 64bit version of the OS in order to use it. I'd stick with the 32bit either way, but if you want to find out....

1. Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Performance Information and Tools.

2. Click View and print details.

3. In the System section, you can see what type of operating system you're currently running under System type. Under 64-bit capable, you can see whether you can run a 64-bit version of Windows. (If your computer is already running a 64-bit version of Windows, you won't see the 64-bit capable listing.)



You're Welcome

As for the Video Streaming, what vid card are you using?

To find out, click start

Right click on computer, click manage

Click on Device Manager

Expand the Display Adapters
And it should be in there.