So, to explain a little bit of what has been going on, I have been up to as of late. I had originally installed Ubuntu as I had been tired of using Windows 7. Originally, there was already a good two to three pages of information that I had written down for this guide, but due to my experimentation and errors in the process I lost all of it. This is for the better in all honesty because looking back, I realize I had so much important data I was missing. With all intentions of this being a two-part tutorial, I have now changed my mind and gone a different route. Right now, I intend to do three parts (and maybe one subpart); Questions to ask yourself and Downloading Ubuntu, Official Installation (Single-Boot and Dual-Boot), Common commands to use and Programs to install. This is all pending right now, because there is so much to Linux and Ubuntu that I can not cover because this is a beginner's guide and only for installation. I may do a part on maintaining and updating your Linux Box later on, but right now we are focusing on Installation.
Part 1: The first few steps
Here, I will cover various topics. We will not be diving straight into installing Linux just yet because I want to bring up a few points. I want everyone to read this paragraph because I will not repeat it again nor will I take any blame for lost data. Better yet, read this paragraph twice, maybe three times. This is the only paragraph that I am requiring you to read. I do not take any blame for lost data like I said before so if you want anything saved do it now because once you start the installation process all of your data will be gone. It is a common unwritten rule that you will get no sympathy from others if you lost your data in Linux due to you “fiddling” with the settings through root and terminal. That being said, I must warn you to be careful when you are applying settings as a root user. Root permissions are very effective and can be very dangerous to your system. To put it in “Windows” terms, if you are using root access there is a possibility you can delete “system32.” Of course there is no system32 on Linux, but deleting certain files will cause you to mess up your system and possibly make it impossible to access your files. To gain access to install commands add 'sudo' to the beginning of all of your commands. Not only will this give you access to root, but it will make your machine more secure because it asks for your password every so often. I would like to add that once you install Ubuntu on your computer you cannot return to Windows or OS X without a proper installation disc and cd-rights. Think before you install here. Thank you for reading this paragraph and I will remind you again to back up your data for your own good.
Here is a quick guideline to what I will be covering. You can skip through whatever parts you want and avoid things you won't need. This will apply to all of the parts in this tutorial.
Asking why you need Linux and what it will do for you
Finding the proper version of *buntu for you
Ordering a disk, creating a boot-cd, creating a boot-flashdrive
Step One:
First comes first, why do you want to install Linux/Ubuntu and is it the correct time do so? I have outlined a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you start this endeavor. Most likely you will be fine with all of these, but these are safety questions and may bring something to mind which you hadn't thought of already. If you are already dead-set on installing Linux/Ubuntu feel free to skip this part, but I think you should at least skim through it to get the idea. Just remember that you can not revert back to Windows so easily without an installation disc.
What are your main reasons for installing. Do you want to explore another facet of computers or create a new challenge for yourself?
These are both great reasons to install Linux. There is no harm in trying new things, it expands the mind and broadens your knowledge base. There is really no bad reason to install here. You can not go wrong with this OS. If you want to return to Windows, that will be a little bit harder because you need a full-installation disc.
Do you have a full copy of Windows or OS X available in case you change your mind in the end?
While you won't be able to recover your data unless you backed it up, it is always a good idea to have an install disc nearby just if you decide you don't want to use Linux or feel like you want to return to your old settings.
Do you need your computer anytime soon?
If the answer to this is yes, DON”T install Linux just yet. This comes along the lines of writing a paper for class or submitting a TPS Report for work. Anything that is urgent and needs things such as word or an editing program that you have on your other OS's should prevent you from installing Linux. You should only do so when you have time and/or are comfortable with the programs in Linux. While not all programs are available in Linux, many copies or variations are. In addition, you can install Wine to run your Windows programs to some degree.
Do you have your data backed up?
This should be an automatic yes unless it is a new machine or you don't have anything important on your computer. Back up your Data!! You will lose all programs and data even when you try to re-install Windows or OS X.
So, that just about covers it with questions. There are many more you could possibly ask yourself, but I felt that these were the most important. We are now on to the second step of the process which is downloading the Distro.
Step Two:
Yes, you can order a CD for Ubuntu so it is relatively simple to install. No, it does not come any quicker than the turn of the century. I would recommend going ahead with these steps while you wait for the CD to come in the mail. Oh, and order as many as they allow. It is fun just having random CD's lying around the house.
This shouldn't be too difficult for you from this point as the steps to installing Ubuntu are very self-explanatory. The motto, so to say, for Ubuntu is “Linux for Human Beings.” I would say that this is very good motto as it is very easy to install and add components. To Download the driver for your new Operating System, simply go to the Ubuntu Website. www.Ubuntu.com Here you can see download Ubuntu, learn how to upgrade your system, and find out that it is the Chinese New Year? On this page there is a button that says “Download Ubuntu.” Pretty self-explanatory, eh? Once you click it, you will be led to a page that has options of what you want to do. My best advice would be to download it and put it to a USB or CD and order a CD as well. The reason why I say this is because the CD takes a while to get to you and in that time you may lose interest, time, whatever. It is also good because you will have a CD for later use if for whatever reason you decide to go back to Windows or OS X or want to install Linux on another computer.
Now at this point you should not have downloaded anything yet. You will **change** the option FROM Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat) TO Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx). Lucid is a Long-Term Support Distro and is finally becoming completely stable. This means that you don't have to update for three years. Meerkat has some issues with Graphics Drivers so I highly advise against using it as you will end up losing everything. At the same time do not update from 10.04 to 10.10 after you have installed 10.04. It will have the same effect and you will literally end up with a terminal that you cannot use. If you know the possible repercussions of downloading and installing 10.10, then go right ahead, the steps are all the same.
Once you have downloaded the image of the Operating System move on to the next step in the process. From here on I will tell you how to burn the image to a cd or USB thumb-drive.
Step Three:
Installing the image to a CD should be relatively simple. You obviously need a Image-burner program. Put in your Blank CD. For Windows (anything less than Win7), they recommend Infra Recorder. This is very straightforward and simple. Open the program, go to “Actions,” click “Burn image” and choose the image file of Ubuntu and when it shows up, hit “OK.” Much simpler in Win7, right click the image and choose “Burn disc image.” Pick the burner drive where the blank CD is located and click “Burn.”
For Mac's, you need to use their Disk Utility program. Put the blank CD in, drag the ISO file into the window. Both the CD and the ISO file should be in the pane. Click the ISO file and hit “Burn.” Click the checkbox next to “Verify burned data” and hit “Burn” again. Burn, baby Burn!
Now for the USB drive, you need to format your drive so that it is completely empty. This will delete EVERYTHING on it so back it up. After you have formatted it you will open whatever disk or image creator you have just like the one for making the CD. Follow the same process and burn the image to the flash-drive. You should get a confirmation that it finished and there you have it. All ready to boot into from the beginning.
Basically, from here just reboot your PC, hit 'f12' (may be different on different PC's) to boot into the different boot options where you should find either the usb or CD-Drive. Use your arrows to choose whichever you have made and hit Enter. From there, it is all up to you. Right now I am only showing you how to install Ubuntu alone. There is the ability to Dual Boot Ubuntu and your other operating system but that is for another time. If you are unsure about using Ubuntu there is an option to run it without installing and you can get to know the features that come with the Operating System. You may not be able to install anything (I am not sure) but you can poke around and see what is going on inside and if it is right for you. Well, there you have it. A fresh version of Ubuntu on your system. Stay tuned for a tutorial about how to Dual Boot and things to do after installing Ubuntu onto your computer.
Looking good dude
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