Chapter 3. Preparing to switch

Table of Contents

Trying-out Ubuntu
Hardware compatibility
Checking hardware compatibility
Problematic devices
Organising your files
General file organisation
Finding forgotten files
Converting unsupported file types
Converting unsupported audio formats
Converting unsupported video formats
Converting unsupported office document formats
Converting from application-specific formats
Backing-up your Windows installation
Internet connection settings
Dial-up Internet connection
Broadband Internet connection
Proxy server settings
Network Settings
Home networks
Windows networks
Wireless networks
VPNs
Instant messaging settings
Browser favorites
Emails and mail account settings
Microsoft Outlook Express
Microsoft Office Outlook
Preparing email for export using Mozilla Thunderbird
Exporting email messages from Mozilla Thunderbird
Transferring your data safely
Direct transfer
CD or DVD disc
External hard-disk drive or other removable device
Network share
Secondary hard-disk partition

While using Windows you will have probably stored a great deal of data, including documents, emails, photographs and music. The chances are that you will want to keep most of this information for use with Ubuntu after you have switched. This section provides instructions on how to prepare yourself and your data for making the switch.