Wubi ? Windows Ubuntu Installer 10.04 [WORK]
As for hardware detection, Ubuntu is far superior to Windows when it comes to knowing what graphics card and monitors you have. On my current system, which includes a 3-year-old ATI graphics card, my monitor and speakers work first time out of the box, whereas the last time I installed Windows it took a driver updater to get my audio drivers in order. Likewise, with Ubuntu I never had to update my graphics card driver. Ubuntu even detected my card perfectly the first time out of the box.
Wubi — Windows Ubuntu Installer 10.04
Youll need to download Wubi from the Ubuntu website and then install it in a folder of your choice. Once Wubi is installed, boot from the desktop DVD and follow the instructions to install the booting system. You shouldnt need to get any third-party software, and Ubuntu doesnt expect you to have the Windows installation media. Once Windows has been installed, Wubi will offer to install Ubuntu inside the Windows environment.
At the end of the wizard, youll be left with an Ubuntu install on the hard disk, ready to use, with the option of adding Linux to your Windows boot menu. The only downside is that the Wubi installer creates a Ubuntu partition, leaving your Windows hard disk completely empty. Your Windows system will function as normal, so you can continue to use your Windows applications as usual.
The Ubuntu install performed so well that it id really recommend you try it out in a live environment. Wubi behaves as expected and nothing doesnt quite work properly. If youre like me, youll want to check out the Linux support forums for suggestions as to what hardware you can make work. The Ubuntu website is also a good source for adding third-party software and, in my case, installing the FGLRX graphics card driver (which youll need for 3D acceleration on most Ubuntu desktop games).