downloaded ubuntu. put it on a disk. changed the bios to boot from cd. but it only boots from vista. any magic keys to hit

If you already have Vista installed, it is pretty simple to install ubuntu. First off, inside the linux install you will have to partition a section for ubuntu to go on. Then the install will be simple. If you have to you can use GPart from the live disc. VM is cool, but you will wring out your system resources.

If Linux Ububtu is not booting from the disk after you have already set it to do so in the BIOS, then the OS disk maybe corrupt. If you think that the ISO is valid, then you could have burnt the disk toooo fast. You can try slowing down the burning speed when you burn the ISO. If the file is valid, then burning it at a slower speed, insures the the data is fully written with no flaws.

DUde just use this--

http://wubi-installer.org/

its all you need

Wubi is nice, but it is still not like an old fashion hard drive install. Good for newbies to check out, and wubi runs on OSs from win98 to winXP and even vista.

I tried it and it had a porblem with the x-windows. It directed me to a website I couldn't tell which is the right file to download.

just make an independent drive firstly and concentrate on mounting and demounting option

WTF?

Dude, if you're actually installing UBUNTU, then the install CD will automatically partition the hard drive and set up the dual boot for you. Something tells me you either didn't burn the ISO correctly, or you aren't using UBUNTU.

First, what did you use to burn the ISO to disc? You have to burn it as an image file and not try to run the installer from explorer..that's just a headache you don't need. Use Nero or some free ISO burner and follow the directions (Google, people.). Then stick the CD in the tray and go nuts.

Really, it's not that hard.

Next!!

If you are set in the bios, then you should be good to go. If it doesn't work, then it could be the disk (disk flaw or that your disk was burnt too fast) or the ISO that you have is flawed.

I would be glad to help any further, just email me.

agreed