[ale] Ubuntu install witout formating /

[oobx at itmonger.com (Brian Whigham)]

Christopher Fowler wrote:
> I'm trying to install Xubuntu on my laptop _without_ formatting /.  It
> has FC5 on it and I created a /FC5 and copied all my old stuff into
> there.  When I try to install Xubuntu it will not allow me to install
> without formatting /.  This will remove all my old stuff.  Is there a
> way around this?  I guess I can copy all 12G off and then back on but
> that sucks and takes time.

I've installed ubuntu twice in the past couple of days.  First time, I 
had trouble using the resize feature (???).  Second time (on my laptop), 
I used the manual partitioning to overwrite a Debian install.  I noticed 
that there is an option not to skip formatting of the specified partitions.

I imagine that this would result in some unkempt leftovers from the 
previous install.  You could probably mount the partition(s) in question 
and delete all but the home (and other important directories).  Then 
unmount and skip the formatting for a cleaner install.  If you were good 
about keeping /home on it's own partition, there should be few problems. 
  Just reformat all but the home partition.

bw