Windows-based Ubuntu Installer Development Thread (merged parts 1 and 2)

[Hello1024]

The aim is that this installation should be risk-free, and therefore we don't want to change any partitions. No PC's have any unpartitioned space on when new from an OEM, and if anyone has previously repartitioned the system, it implies they are enough of a power user to use anoher install method.

Remember we are actually using an ext3 file system, just loopmounted inside whatever filesystem is already existing (which in this case is ntfs) - that way you get all the benefits of a linux filesystem, without having to repartition or fiddle with installing boot loaders to the MBR, both of which are risky things.

[zolookas]

The aim is that this installation should be risk-free, and therefore we don't want to change any partitions. No PC's have any unpartitioned space on when new from an OEM, and if anyone has previously repartitioned the system, it implies they are enough of a power user to use anoher install method.

Some people do have 2nd hard disk which they could use for ubuntu. Well, anyway, this feature is not that so important.

[enopepsoo]

I really wish I could vote again.

I like the 3rd party option more now.

[zolookas]

I've also noticed, that Protoype link in wiki points to nonexisting page.

[tuxcantfly]

You may look to http://www.fs-driver.org/ for ext2 compactible file systems support for windows.

Yes, I know about EXT2IFS, and EXT2FSD, but neither can loopmount; they write to real disks, not disk images.

I've also noticed, that Protoype link in wiki points to nonexisting page.

Strange... it works fine here... the wiki page you're talking about is https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/ and the page you speak of is https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/Prototype right?

[Hello1024]

It's just a typo in the link - the link is to the "prototpye" page.

[tuxcantfly]

ok, typo fixed...

[Hello1024]

THIS THREAD IS A CONTINUATION OF THE THREAD AT http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=305109

We have a development version of a Windows based installer for Ubuntu which is designed to be:

• very simple to use
• provide a no-risk installation
• no repartitioning the hard disk
• no changing the windows boot loader
• Easy uninstallation.
• Low risk
• Doesn't use a virtual machine
• Doesn't significantly reduce performance of the resulting installation
• Resulting installation supports everything a normal install does.
• Fast install

*************************

NOTE THAT THE VERSION BELOW HAS LOTS OF BUGS AT THE MOMENT, AND WE RECCOMEND YOU WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT VERSION BEFORE TRYING IT OUT

Currently there is a prototype of the installer. see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/Prototype for download and install instructions.

See HERE for troubleshooting suggestions. Note that the developers are busy working on the next version, and most likely will not be here to give support for the current release.

*************************

The aim of this installer is to provide an easier way for a Windows user to install Ubuntu without having to know how to burn a cd iso, set the bios to boot from cd, repartition the disks, set up a multiboot system, etc. It will not replace any of the current Ubuntu installation options, and will not require that windows is installed prior to the installation of Ubuntu.

The installer works by creating a disk image of a pre-installed ubuntu system on the hard disk (downloaded with a bittorrent downloader integrated into the installer, or a standard http download when we find mirrors), and then installing GRUB for windows, which can be chain loaded by the existing boot loader, and which then loads the linux kerner and initrd from the ntfs partition. The initrd is modified to support mounting the image file mentioned above as a root file system, and then continuing the boot process like a normal installation.

This does not use a virtual machine to run linux on, so the performance of the resulting system will be similar to the performance of any other linux installation. The system will use ext3 in the image file, so users will get all the benefits of a linux filesystem.

Current progress
A prototype has been made (see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/Prototype) which works (WITH LOTS OF UNRESOLVED BUGS), however there are still a few unresolved issues:

GUI Installer:

• UPNP
• Advanced/Expert install
• Langage support
• slideshow during install
• Disk space checks required
• Support for installing on a secondary drive
• Supporting installation of boot loader where the boot drive isn't c:\

First boot:

• Importing settings from config.ini file

For more details, refer to the following links:

Launchpad entry here: https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubu...dows-installer
Specification here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe
Comments here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/Comments
Prototype here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/Prototype

[Hello1024]

Since this thread is getting very long and hard to read through, I've created a new thread here, which recaps current progress.:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=2011371

I all replies should be directed there.

[PriceChild]

How does this boot then if the bootloader isn't changed?