The Ubuntu installation guide: last updated April 2009
When it comes to installing Ubuntu, there are so many useful snippets of information on blogs and guides all over the internet. If you Google “How to install Ubuntu”, you’ll see what I mean.
For an Ubuntu beginner or curious Windows intermediate user however, there’s no single, simple source of information when it comes to trying out your first Ubuntu installation. One thing I have noticed is that there’s a lot of technical jargon and sometimes unnecessary terminal commands in lengthy forum posts, but no simple “how to” guides, which I think might put some people off! A shame, when you think about how easy Ubuntu is to install, use and tweak to look really cool!
This post will talk you through your first Ubuntu installation, hopefully teaching you everything you need to know to give Ubuntu a try without breaking or removing your existing Windows installation. The end result will be a “vanilla” Ubuntu Installation running simultaneously with your Windows installation using either the GRUB bootloader, or WUBI, depending on how far you’d like to go on your first Ubuntu experience.
I hope my guide makes installing Ubuntu an enjoyable, simple experience. By the end of the guide you should have a dual boot Windows / Ubuntu machine that happily plays music, video, and acts as a perfectly usable home office computer with Openoffice 3.0. For the really adventurous you could even run Windows XP inside Virtualbox, which is linked to later on in the guide. The Ubuntu OS is unique and seriously cool, so, enjoy the trip.
If you’re planning on installing the latest version of Ubuntu (Jaunty Jackalope 9.04) you can install Ubuntu straight from the CD inside Windows or from a USB stick and the install process can takes care of formatting your hard drive partition for you. You might not yet have a spare partition to do this, so I’ve covered shrinking your existing Windows partition to make space for Ubuntu here.
How to install Ubuntu from a CD
1) Download the Ubuntu ISO from http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download and save to your desktop
2) Burn the ISO image to a blank CD using Roxio CD creator or similar:
3) Run the CD from “My Computer” – the CD should ask permission to run at which point you’ll see this option screen:
4) If you’d like to install Ubuntu using Wubi, select “install inside Windows” and follow the instructions. Installing with WUBI is ideal for a first taste of Ubuntu as you can remove from add/remove programs in Windows later on. This install process is really easy but you don’t get the same performance as if Ubuntu had a separate partition running on its EXT3 file system. The following screens are all based on the Wubi installer process, so you can follow the rest of the instructions below.
If you’d like to install Ubuntu separately to Windows, then skip to point 7) below.
Here’s what you see next:
If you’ve got the space on your hard drive, go for 30gb or more for the installation size.
5) Now configure your installation using the simple settings options. You can specify the location of the Ubuntu installation on your Windows partition, the size of the Ubuntu installation, the Ubuntu flavour (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, etc), your preferred language, and a username and password for the Ubuntu system.
When you click install, you’ll see this screen:
As soon as the files have finished downloading, you’ll see this:
6) That’s it! Click reboot now, and select “Ubuntu” on the startup screen. You now have a fully functional dual boot Windows / Ubuntu machine.
If you’d like to install Ubuntu separately to Windows, then follow these instructions:
7) Click “Demo and full installation” and your computer will restart and boot into Ubuntu.
It’s worth saying at this point that you’re about to install Ubuntu on an entirely separate drive partition. That means, you need to make sure you have enough space on your computers hard drive to accomodate the new setup. Keir Thomas found that a partition less than 4gb would lead Ubuntu to crash during install in his first look at Ubuntu 9.04 over at Lifehacker.
Here’s a guide on how to resize or shrink your Windows Vista partition. Follow those instructions before you reboot into the live version of Ubuntu and you’ll have a really easy time during the following steps. Maybe you’d like to install from a USB? Let’s have a quick look at the process of installing from a USB before we continue:
Here’s how to install Ubuntu on a USB drive from Windows Vista:
Format your USB stick with a FAT32 partition from Windows. You can get to the format dialogue by opening My Computer and right mouse clicking the removable drive icon. Click “Format” and follow the settings in the image below. You need a minimum 2gb USB stick.
9) Download UnetBootin. UNetbootin allows for the installation of various Linux/Ubuntu distributions to a partition or USB drive, so it’s no different from a standard install, only it doesn’t need a CD. The coolest thing about the application is that it’s a “portable” app. You don’t need to install it into Windows meaning UNetbootin will run on your Windows PC without “admin” privileges.
The new version of Ubuntu isn’t in the Distribution list supplied with UNetbootin yet, so use the downloaded Ubuntu ISO from earlier on. Add the ISO using the “Diskimage”, make sure your USB drive is selected below and click OK.
The ISO transfers to the USB pretty quickly, so soon after you click OK you’ll see this screen:
10) That’s it – when the installation process is complete, restart your computer and make sure it’s set up to boot from USB. On my HP Laptop, pressing F9 on the boot screen shows a boot order menu. Selecting “USB Hard Drive” follows a black screen, an Ubuntu logo, and finally, your new Ubuntu desktop appears.
Completing your Ubuntu installation, step by step
Installing Ubuntu is so easy that it requires very little effort past this point. If you’ve managed to repartition your hard drive and restart your computer you’ll sail through the next few steps:
11) Click “install” on the live desktop (top left)
12) Choose your language in the welcome screen
13) Choose your location
14) Choose your keyboard layout
15) Set up your disk partition. This is probably the most “technical” part of the installation. When I shrunk my Windows Vista drive volume, I never formatted the new partition, which means the “use the largest continuous free space” option works nicely:
16) Choose your username and password:
17) Migrate your Windows documents and settings
18) You’re now ready to install your new Ubuntu installation
19) When the installation has finished, restart your computer (you’ll be instructed to remove your cd rom or USB drive). You’re now ready to begin using Ubuntu!
Useful tips and resources for Ubuntu
Over the months, I’ve compiled a number of useful tips and hints to get you started in using your new operating system. Here’s a few that people have found most useful:
When you first login you’ll notice the system beep is a little annoying. Here’s how to turn it off. Having problems setting up your wireless network? Use this guide to set it up. Want to run Office 2007 or Windows XP from inside Ubuntu? Use this guide to install Virtualbox. Want to have that amazing 3d cube desktop? You’ll need to install Compiz. Want to make your installation look absolutely amazing? Check this post for a beautifully minimalist Ubuntu desktop powered by Conky. Finally, why not try installing boxee inside Ubuntu to watch a lot of great, free TV!
Ubuntu is a brilliantly simple, easy to use, free and powerful operating system. I hope this guide helps you get on your way. Any feedback? Leave comments below.
Want to learn a lot more? Here are some highly recommended Ubuntu books:
27 Comments
I love it. Very very good article.
Kudos!
Can I just point out that the Nvidia driver thing you have applies to almost any restricted drivers, including certain wireless cards, other types of graphics or sound cards and such.
Oh, and why install a Vbox in a wubi install? isn’t that a bit daft, after all a wubi install is already slower than a REAL install, why add even more lag to the system?
really want to thank u
for ur brilliant efforts ,
once again thank u
Thanks for this. i’ve wanted to install ubuntu for a while.
was so excited bout this because i was really thinking of trying out ubuntu since my notebook with vista was getting a bit annoying..but the problem after i installed wubi ubuntu was my wireless network adapter(Atheros) was not functioning..is there something of a workaround for this?i really like what i saw in ubuntu..but i need to connect via wi-fi to be able to really appreciate it! thanks and very nice post..informative!
Thanks for dropping by jenko and thanks for the kind feedback!
By the way, for atheros drivers in Ubuntu, i’d talk to these guys
I nee help, I have a laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium.
I want to also have this latest Ubuntu inside my laptop as I’ve been dreaming to try this wonderful Linux OS for many years now…
To make it short, when I try to install the Ubuntu, on the second screen (after I choose Install Ubuntu) where they show Ubuntu logo and that progress bar… I’ve waited for long enough (30 minutes) but it seems to always stuck at 25% …. I try again – this time choosing “Try Ubuntu only” and the same thing happen again.
Strangely, when I try to use the same CD and install into my office PC that runs Windows XP Pro SP2 – everything is OK, I can test Ubuntu and install it there….
I guess the CD is not the problem but what’s the problem now? Is it my stupid Vista?
Hope any of you can help me with this…. Ubuntu is so nice and free.. it’s a great loss for not having it…
Thanks in advance…
John
Hi everyone, just to let you know I’ve updated the first part of the installation guide to accomodate Intrepid Ibex 8.10. Be careful if you’ve got a Nvidia card though, I’d wait a few more weeks as there’s a problem with X.org compatibility…
I have installed Ubuntu 8.10 and am having a nvidia geForce4 488 graphic card. I want to install the driver for this card but when I open HardwareDriver dialog, I did not see my card so i can’t enable it. Anyone can help on this? Thanks very much.
@limcheling There were early problems with the nvidia drivers, you should be able to get the latest update packages via update manager – if you need to know how to activate the Nvidia restricted drivers first then check this link out : http://seogadget.co.uk/how-to-install-a-nvidia-display-driver-in-ubuntu/ after you’ve followed these steps the system should give you instructions on how to download the latest patches (requires restart)
I have tried nearly 10 times to install the ubuntu but it wont install in my machine. I had NTFS then I even change to the FAT 32. Please help me from email if you can.
Processor . . . .Intel 2400
Memory . . . . .512MB
Flash BIOS . . . 4MB Flash memory for system BIOS, set-up, Plug-and-Play, DMI 2.0s and SMBIOS 2.3.1 support
Video Graphics Controller . . Integrated Intel Extreme graphics* or 4X AGP
Hard Drives . . ..Enhanced IDE SMART II ATA/100; 20GB
EIDE Controller . . Integrated PCI dual channel ATA/100 and PIO mode 4 support, Bus Master EIDE hard drive controller
Network Controller . . . ..Integrated Intel Pro
Audio . . . .Integrated AC97 audio
Standard I/O Ports . . .USB 2.0 (6), serial (1), 2nd port available via add-in card, parallel, PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, RJ-45,
external VGA, Stereo line-in (mini-jack), microphone-in (mini-jack), speakers/line-out (mini-jack) and headphone (minijack,
front)
Operating Systems . . . .Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
How to setup local networking with this? My computer has internet which is being shared by other computers.. how can i enable this network and internet sharing with this?
I really wanted to install and run Ubuntu, but my experience was all bad. The first thing that I had to have was wireless connection which I was never able to obtain. Are Dlink drivers a problem? Appreciate any comments.
George
how to install on desktop with
windows
Hi
I’ve installed Ubuntu 8.1 as the single operating system replacing Windows XP on an IBM R40e laptop. The installation appears to be successful except that I cannot establish a wired internet connection. Have looked at various help files but nothing has been successful so far. Have just reloaded Ubuntu as Auto eth 0 disappeared from the list of possible network connections. Any help much appreciated
It was a preety expalantion i like it keep it up
I am a novice to Ubuntu 9.04. I installed it using WUBI inside my laptop for dual boot. On first reboot after I select Ubuntu, I get a screen which shows “loading please wait…” on top followed by a big string saying big box versio—- followed by type help to see commands available in shell. This is followed by (ramdirfs) in a new line followed by a blinking cursor and it seems to wait for an instruction from me. I do not know where to go from here. I did not use a CD instead I put both WUBI and the iso image on my desktop. Can you please help.
@Aunpam – try restarting, booting into Windows, doing a proper shut down and then reboot into Ubuntu. That usually works.
@Abhilash I’d suggest you try installing from the USB drive
It seems to be so simple, but i need to do some practical
Thanks for such clean and directed help. I followed your directions to the T. BUT when I finished install and restarted my computer,
Dell Inspiron 6000 250 gig HD 2 Gigs RAM. Windows XP service pac 3.
I received
Error 12.
On reading various forums it seems that my BIOS cannot handle the reading of the placement of the GRUB file.
Any ideas?
cisco
mexico
I have win XP sp3.And I also have fedora 9 in my PC.I want to erase fedora And want to install ubuntu 8.04.1 Desktop edition.512RAM,P4,15GB for fedora.HELP me please
hey when i try to install ubuntu onto my computer from my usb drive it says there is a missing operating system. what can that be
Hey Evan. That almost certainly sounds like your PC / Laptop is trying to boot from the hard drive not your usb stick. On my HP laptop I have to hold down F9 to “select boot device”.
If that doesn’t sound familiar I’d recommend you try reformatting your USB and putting the ISO back on with UnetBootin.
Hope that helps,
mine sez something about a corrupt kernel while tryin to access it on bios
Whenenver i install the new Ubuntu (9.0.1) it comes up with this Nero thing and ask me to put a serial number in it and stuff…. What do i do??? (it also asks me to buy a seriel