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I have trouble installing Ubuntu, which I want to be alongside Windows 8. There is no alongside option but only the 'Erase disk and install Ubuntu' option and also 'Use something else'. It is as if my disk is empty without any Windows 8 OS.

I know that I can install it using the 'Use something else' option... by creating a partition in the Windows 8. By shrinking and get the unallocated 20GB free space partition (at which I already have currently) and I also know when I exceed 4 partitions, then the installation won't work, so now I only have:

  • C:partition 175GB NTFS,
  • E: partition 270GB NTFS,
  • System reserve partition 350MB NTFS, and;
  • also 20GB unallocated partition (I made for Ubuntu).

But when I boot Ubuntu from a USB flash drive, pressing F12, I then have both the 'Try Ubuntu' and 'Install' options.

When I click 'Install', I still don't have the 'Install alongside' option. Instead I only have the 'Erase and install Ubuntu' option.

Also, when I click on 'Use something else', it only shows:

Dev/
 Free space 500 000 Mb.

As if there is no primary partition. Because normally it would show:

dev/ sda1 ntfs
dev/ sda2 
dev/ sda3

So I am afraid to proceed because the free space I made was, and should be, 20GB and not the whole 500GB.

I need help. I've been searching all over internet and I couldn't find a problem that is the same as mine. I would really appreciate any help. Frankly, I'm really tired of using the 'Try Ubuntu' option.

P.S. My Windows 8 was installed by PC technician when my laptop was reformatted.

Greenonline
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Fadh Nhz
  • 135

3 Answers3

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Do the 'Try Ubuntu' to boot in to the live disk, and then open up the partition manager (Gparted) to see what partitions are really on the drive.

Or go back in to Windows, winkey+x to bring up the little menu of options from the Desktop, go in to Disk Manager and do the same thing.

Make sure there are really only 3 primary partitions, leaving one available for Ubuntu. If you already have 4 primaries used, you'll need to do some juggling.

Dale C. Anderson
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1

I found the answer eventually, the types were all basics. But the solution is here Re: 'Install alongside' not available while trying Dual Boot with Win7 64bit . Even I'm a bit hazy about that GPT but anyway yeah it worked perfectly. I am now able to install Ubuntu alongside Windows 8.

Well anyway, thanks Dale A. for your suggestions.

Greenonline
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Fadh Nhz
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I also had this problem and even after searching a lot I still wasn't able to find a working solution. So I started tinkering myself and for me the solution was the following.

First download the MiniTool Partition wizard software. When installed open the application and check whether the partition type of the drive where the windows is installed is of the PRIMARY type. If not then change the disk type to PRIMARY using this minitool partition software and then try to install Ubuntu again. This time it will show the option to "install alongside windows". Don't forget to check the "apply" in the software to apply the changes.

You will have to restart your computer and after restarting it will work without loading into Windows. Read carefully and Do not press any key as you don't want to cancel the operation which the software is working on.

Xweque
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Dinesh Borse
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