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Booting from Media

We have built a bootable memory key, or a bootable CD, (or both!) so that we can run and/or install Ubuntu on an older or smaller computer system.

Before we leap out into the unknown, let's see if our bootable media work.

We will use them to reboot the parent or host system.

For me, that's the Compaq Presario CQ62 Notebook (Windows Home premium 64-bit) system on which I build the key and CD.

There's a little essay here on how to change the boot sequence on a computer.

The sequence will vary from computer to computer; usually at the time you reboot you'll see a short message telling you which key to press to get "into" the BIOS system.

The Ubuntu site advises:

"Restart your computer, and watch for a message telling you which key to press to enter the BIOS setup. It will usually be one of F1, F2, DEL, ESC or F10. Press this key while your computer is booting to edit your BIOS settings."

Set the boot sequence appropriately (making either the USB key the primary boot device, or else make the CD-ROM drive the primary boot device), and power-off then power-on your computer.

Please excuse the shaky-photo; I have not yet learned how to take a "screen-shot" in Ubuntu.

This is what I see when I boot from media.

I have a choice to run the operating system ("Try Ubuntu") or to install it on the computer ("Install Ubuntu").

I elect to "Try Ubuntu", and within seconds my monitor shows the Ubuntu desktop.

I'm ready to roll and please note; Ubuntu has NOT replaced the Windows Home premium operating system on my machine - that's still in place and functioning perfectly.

I have loaded an different operating system - in this case Ubuntu - from a CD or memory key.

When I'm done taking a look, I'll remove the bootable medium and reboot the computer, ending up back in Windows.

Marvelous!

Next Step: Installing from Media

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