Trying to start using linux (ubuntu)

[Gorthus]

Okay, I've been using windows for... I dunno, 13 years? (I'm 14 ) and have recently learned about Ubuntu..

I downloaded the 6.10 iso,burned it, and went through the installer... But when I restart, the GRUB thing never shows up and my PC loads straight into vista...

How do I fix that?

NOTE: I was installing with the GUI installer, trying to use Jason's guide. Apparently that's not what he used. I got so confused during installation because of this and just eventually did the complete reformat and automatic installation.

edit:

my system:
pentium 4 northwood 2.8ghz
1.12gb ram
ati radeon x800gto
maxtor 100gb sata / maxtor 20gb ide

[mikeL]

Gorthus, welcome to PC - Mechanic,

http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/about78184.html This is a good start, I would also check the Ubuntu forums, Vista use's a new NTFS format.

[rhysox]

Where did grub install into? Looking at your system bit you could have installed the bootloader to the IDE disk, and your pc is booting the SATA disk first (never actually over-writing the MBR where the Vista loader resides)

What I would do is create a grub boot CD, so whenever you fancy using linux, pop the CD in, and it will load linux instead. If you plan on using Linux more often, you'll need to re-run the grub installer (simple!) and make sure you install it onto the sata disk (be careful as this will OVERWRITE the windows loader), and add an entry for windows too.

Then when you turn your machine on, you can have a menu, where you select your OS to boot. Very handy.

PM me if you require anymore information, cheers