Installing a new operating system is a major undertaking not to be taken lightly. In this final part of our series on Linux, we get ready to install Ubuntu.
Before backing up the data on the test machine, check first that it has enough oomph under the hood to run Ubuntu. The latest version is Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04 which requires at least 256 MB of RAM and 8 GB of disk space. It is available for PC, 64-Bit and Apple computers. Check this link wiki.Ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport for details of which computer types are supported.
Assuming your test machine passes muster, the next step is to create a Restoration Point and back up all your data. This is strongly recommended, and if you don’t know how it might be a good idea to stop right now. Ensure, too, that you have the system recovery discs to hand and a note of all your passwords and settings.
Ubuntu can be downloaded from their site. It’s a whopping 700MB .iso file that is an ‘image’ of the installation disc which you need to burn onto a CD or DVD. To burn the download as an ‘image’ instead of as data, a pukka CD burning package like Nero Burning is required. Software like this is normally bundled in with your computer, so have a root around for the CD in case it wasn’t installed. This is not a showstopper; you can always download a freeware application like Infrarecorder or ISOrecorder to burn the image instead.
If all that seems a bit of a palaver, buy Ubuntu on CD or DVD. There are links on the site to UK suppliers and its costs around £8 plus postage.
One way or another we now have the installation CD for Ubuntu and are ready to roll. Well, not quite. Unless you’re going for a scorched earth approach and reformatting the entire disk for Ubuntu’s exclusive use, you should defrag the hard disk. This tidies up the hard disk, giving the partitioning, which allows Windows and Ubuntu to co-exist, more stable foundations. (Disk Defragmenter lives in System Tools in Windows XP or can be launched via the search box in Vista). The Apple equivalent of defragmenting is probably zapping the P-RAM.
After defragging, insert the Ubuntu disc then do a restart. The computer will automatically load the disc for you. To save yourself a nasty scare later on, select Check CD for Defects. This scans the CD or DVD to ensure it is error-free and able to complete the installation process successfully. This check takes a few minutes and then a restart but it is time well spent.
Finally, Ubuntu will load from the CD and present you with an option to try Linux without installing it. As the system is running from the CD it will be slower and nothing can be saved. Otherwise go ahead and click to install, answering each question in turn.
Pay close attention to the next part involving partitioning of the hard disk. This is the fiddly bit. The slider tool reduces the amount of hard disk devoted to Windows. Move the slider until the amount of space remaining is the figure you had in mind to give Ubuntu, i.e. a minimum of 8GB, though 20 or more is nearer the mark if you plan to make Linux your OS of choice.
Another option is to fit an external hard drive to your test machine and boot up from there. Just remember that installing to the entire external hard drive will wipe everything that’s on it.
Partitioning complete, Ubuntu gets down to completing the install on its own while you have more than enough time to put the kettle on. When finished installing, you will be prompted to do a restart. The welcome screen changes and now you are asked to choose which operating system you want to load.
You’re now done and dusted…almost. There’s just the little automatic matter of checking for the latest updates for Ubuntu and the other pre-installed software that comes with it. That done, you’re ready to explore the world of Linux for real.
See related: All about Linux - part two | Penguin slays techie image and goes old school
