10 easy steps to Ubuntu freedom
Share This November 20th, 2009 Antowan
You may be afraid to make the jump to Ubuntu Linux, thinking it may be too daunting to install it by yourself or perhaps you have never even done an operating system installation all by yourself but have a machine spare after your last replacement pc or upgrade arrived and want to dabble with Ubuntu.
In this blog I will show you exactly how easy it is to install Ubuntu.
Step 1 :: Get the ISO on disc
If you want to install Ubuntu you need a CD/DVD with the installer on it that you can get from friends, a “toaster” at some pc shops or download from bit torrent, the web or Ubuntu’s official website. Here is the link to the latter. http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
There are plenty of options available. Ubuntu has readymade ISO images for AMD64 systems, i386 and many more. You can even ignore the desktop version and go for the server edition, but that might be a bit tricky for first timers. This guide is aimed at Ubuntu Desktop users and was written using Ubuntu 9-10.
Step 2 :: Pop it in and fire it up
Make sure your computer is set to boot from your CD/DVD ROM drive. This is either already set or it can be set by entering the BIOS and changing the relevant setting. Read your hardware manual for your system or Google a bit on how to do it.
Step 3 :: Choose to install
When the machine boots off the Ubuntu Installation disc it will offer you a list of things to do with it. Choose the INSTALL option.
Step 4 :: Choose your language
Ubuntu can offer your an installation with text in 64 written languages at the moment. Choose one that suits you. Forward we go to choose the time zone applicable to your location.
Step 5 :: It is about time
Choose your time zone. You can either click on the map or choose from the drop down menu.
Step 6 :: Choose your keyboard
You will have to select the keyboard setting applicable to what you have. In South Africa the US option (default) will suffice just fine.
Step 7 :: Choose the disk and where Ubuntu will fit on it
If you are using a standalone system for Ubuntu then you can go ahead and choose the option that will use the entire disk. If however you want a dual boot setup then side-by-side could be the option for you. This can be risky and I would suggest you go here for more information on such a setup. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot
Step 8 :: Who are you?
Choose the name you want to use on the system and the log in associated with it. It will also want you to configure a password for it. This password will allow you to use super user features after installation if need be, so make sure it is child proof. The installer will tell you if a password is weak or strong…
You can also choose a cool name for the computer. Be creative!
Step 9 :: Ready to install
Now Ubuntu is ready to rock and roll. It will give you a short list of the settings. You don’t have to worry about it, just click the install button and prepare to be amazed. The machine will now be partitioned correctly and the formatting will happen right in front of your eyes. You can either stay and watch as the slide shows tell you how cool Ubuntu is and what it can do with its new free online storage service and what not, or you can go and make some coffee… this could take a little while…
Step 10 :: Reboot and enjoy
Ubuntu will ask to be rebooted and for you to remove the disc that gave birth to it on your glorious computer. Do it and reboot. Now comes the time to have some fun with your new Ubuntu system.
Entry Filed under: General
11 Comments Add your own
1. peterc | November 21st, 2009 at 6:16 am
I can’t believe that a 2009 OS makes it so difficult to change DNS. I have an unworkable Ubuntu 09.10 because the DNS needs changing and I cannot do this. Windows? Piece of cake to do it.
Search for instructions to do this and look at the arcane, complicated instructions, which are unintelligible to me. There needs to be a big grip to develop a simple GUI system, like Windows.
2. 10 easy steps to Ubuntu f&hellip | November 21st, 2009 at 4:55 pm
[...] You may be afraid to make the jump to Ubuntu Linux, thinking it may be too daunting to install it by yourself or perhaps you have never even done an operating system installation all by yourself but have a machine spare after your last replacement pc or upgrade arrived and want to dabble with Ubuntu. More here [...]
3. hsm | November 23rd, 2009 at 6:49 am
Yeah, Installing the OS is easy and not a problem. But try and install and get anything else working is a nightmare. That is why they give it away for free. Useless for the normal / average user out there!
4. timvdwest | November 23rd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I don’t think it’s “difficult:” to do anything in Ubuntu / Linux. It’s just different, most people learn to use a computer running Windows and are used to how it operates. If everyone used a linux system, Windows would seem strange and difficult to operate.
5. Nick | November 23rd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
peterc, do you know what DNS is? I think you should look it up. Ubuntu is not complicated, it’s been designed for ease of use, yes it has it’s bugs, but so does windows. At least it’s not a giant security hole like windows. By the way if you want to fix your problem search network manager, or tcp/ip settings for ubuntu. And there is endless documentation that is up to date in the ubuntu wiki.
6. Tobbe | November 23rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Hi,
How do I make an installation if I can’t get any UI to start with. The only thing I see is horizonal stripes across the whole sceen. I tried the default ISO and alternate. Same shit in both CD’s. Don’t say it’s easy for everyone, please. Older versions of Ubuntu I never had any problems with, it just worked. But now I need to do this and to do that, I don’t want to, I wan’t it to work right out of the box.
Computer:
AMD Athlon 64Bit, with 4GB RAM
GeForce 7050 PV / nForce 630a (512MB)
//Tobbe
7. Mannex | November 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
peterc: If you can’t find out how to make the manual settings for DNS on your own I really think you should not be using a computer at all.
That or you probably have disabled the notification area not knowing the Network Manager is right there.. Use right click on the icons in one of your panels. How is that for simpicity?
8. Mannex | November 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Tobbe: There are always some issues with integrated graphics cards. Never buy anything integrated with the motherboard, things like that just suck altogether.
But try recovery mode and install the proprietary drivers.
I think it should be “sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx” perhaps add a -185 or -96 or something at the end and then running nvidia-settings”
That should get things going, but you will still have issues with Nvidias drivers. :p
9. Simon B. | November 23rd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Downloading and toasting and changing BIOS settings is just too much to ask for most users.
Also, how about pre-populating the language, timezone etc, options by using some IP-location service and making some good guesses? That should easily cover 80%-90% of incoming users, who could be amazed by the ease of the setup process.
How about making a tiny “ubuntu loader.exe” which figures out the most appropriate way of getting ubuntu files (by IP-location, offer to contact an authorized evangelist near You, or otherwise check for installed torrent software or use a bundled torrent-client). The loader could install ubuntu files on a file-based disk, i.e. in C:\ubuntu, and add a boot-time loader and perhaps also a one-shot icon that does a reboot directly into ubuntu.
That loader could also arrange a preset keyboard choice by detection and/or by spying on downloading host OS keyboard settings. For ubuntu dual-boot installs on a windows machine, go sniff up the default keyboard settings, computer name and user names from Windows registry and Documents&Settings folders. Provide sensible defaults and win (my praise and) the clicks and keytaps until fully installed-competition. Install speed is also usually measured.
10. 10 easy steps to Ubuntu f&hellip | November 24th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
[...] 10 easy steps to Ubuntu freedom Posted by mcangeli on Tuesday November, 24th in How To, Linux, Operating Systems, Ubuntu Article Originally posted at mybroadband.co.za [...]
11. Peachez Dildo | December 23rd, 2009 at 8:57 pm
eh. strange thread
)
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