Test Driving Ubuntu Linux

For my next experiment with Linux, I decided to try out Ubuntu.

Laptop #1
I noticed that Ubuntu has an option to run alongside Windows. You can download the installer through the Windows Installer page, which worked fine in my newer laptop PC. Basically, you install Linux onto your machine like you would any other Windows application. When you power up the machine you get an opportunity to choose which operating system to run. I just did a quick run-through with this version. The one thing I did notice is that the external monitor for my laptop was not recognized, and I could not use it. Apparently this is a problem with some new Intel/NVIDIA set-up.

Laptop #2
Next, I downloaded the 64-bit version of Ubuntu 11.10 from the Ubuntu download page. The 32-bit version is the "recommended" version, but reading in the Questions for Ubuntu page, I found out that the 32-bit version is only recommended because it will work on either 32 or 64-bit processors. If you know you have a 64-bit processor, go ahead and download the 64-bit version.

The download went fine and the instructions for creating a CD worked fine for creating a DVD (instead of a CD). The download page also has some nice "Show me how" buttons which are useful for a first-timer.

Using the DVD, I booted up this version on another laptop. In order to boot from the DVD drive, you need to watch the first screen and use whatever key is needed to interrupt the normal boot process (the Esc on this laptop). Then, you need to find the key for boot source options, or something like that (F8 on this laptop). Then select the CD/DVD drive and hit Enter.

Here is a quick summary of the installation steps, starting from Windows7:

1. Save Firefox bookmarks to a flash drive.
2. Insert Ubuntu DVD into DVD drive.
3. The drive will autoplay. Select 'run wubi.exe' (the Windows installer).
4. Click 'yes' on User Account Control.
5. Select 'Install inside Windows'.
6. Enter a new user name and password.
7. Click 'Install'.
   
8. It takes about 3 minutes to copy the files over from the DVD to the internal hard drive. When it is finished, the DVD drive will open. Remove the disk and close the DVD drive.
9. The set-up wizard shows a 'Reboot now' option. Select that and click 'Finish'.
10. After the system reboots, you get to another install screen. About another 10 minutes is needed to copy files and configure the system.
11. When the installation is complete, you see the Windows Boot Manager screen. This is the screen where you can select to boot either Windows or Ubuntu (use the arrow keys, and Enter).
12. Selecting Ubuntu, you finally get to the sign on screen. Enter your user name and password to sign on.
    

Overall, the installation process was quick and easy. To remove Ubuntu from your system, just do the following:

1. Boot back to Windows.
2. Open 'Computer'.
   
3. Select 'Uninstall of change an program'.
4. Find 'Ubuntu' in the list of programs and click it.
5. Click 'Uninstall/Change'.
6. Click 'Yes' on User Account Control.
7. On the 'Are you sure you want to uninstall?' screen, click 'Uninstall'.

Continued at Test Driving Ubuntu Linux - Part 2.