Thread: dual-booting, Vista, No root file system

hello everyone, recieved ubuntu 9.04 desktop edition cd-rom through snail-mail after requesting copy online , want install on laptop, although wish keep vista on now.

laptop has 250gb hard drive. although when in vista represented 2 separate drives each of 110gb, (c or acer , (d or data.

using cd, start installation , straightforward , self explanatory, until stuck @ step 4...
told ubuntu installer: "this computer has several operating systems on it." (i'm confused now, thought had one, vista.)
beneath shown bar representing disk space divided between...

windows vista (loader) (/dev/sda1) - 9.8gb
windows vista (loader) (/dev/sda2) - 110.1gb
/dev/sda3 - 110.1gb
microsoft windows xp embedded (/dev/sda4) - 3.0gb

given option use entire disk:
'scsi1 (0,0,0)(sda) - 250.1gb ata wdc wd2500bevt - 2',
(and mention of 250bg in name i'm assuming 1 disk , not 2 separate drives named c: & d: in vista.)

...along warning - "this delete windows vista (loader), windows vista (loader), microsoft windows xp embedded , install ubuntu 9.04". (the aforementioned "several operating systems" obviously.)
wish keep vista, select option "specify partitions manually" , brought screen named 'prepare partitions',
there table this:

device type mount point size used

/dev/sda fat32
/dev/sda1 ntfs 10485mb 9495mb
/dev/sda2 ntfs 118166mb 84157mb
/dev/sda3 ntfs 118183mb 3225mb
/dev/sda4 ntfs 3221mb 2583mb

given option "new partition table", , if select of bottom 4 devices can 'edit partition' or 'delete partition'.
selecting device /dev/sda3 (because 1 i'm guessing has no operating system data on it, judging previous screen) , choosing 'edit partition', allows me following options...
create new partition size, select want use partition as. (there 2 options formating partition, checkbox, , mount point. these both greyed out.)

when @ 'use as:' option, within 'edit partition', drop down box allows me use partition in following ways:
- not use partition
- swap area
- ntfs
- fat 32 file system
- fat16 file system
- xfs journaling file system
- reiserfs journaling file system
- ext2 file system
- ext4 journaling file system
- ext3 journaling file system

i've read on post need set partition wish use install ubuntu on 'swap area', think should use sda3 (maybe not?), when , click 'next' error message... "no root file system - no root file system defined. please correct partitioning menu."

i've no idea how correct this. have dual boot option between ubuntu , vista , to able save files while using either os in way allows me access them whatever os i'm running @ later time.

know long post simple or common problem, bearing me. pointers or appreciated, thankyou. best wishes.

this video useful you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9nm7plrkhw

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