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Installing from Media

This process is disgustingly easy, and can be achieved simply by booting from the media created back in Get the Basic Kit and choosing to install the operating system!

You'll recognize this screen from the instance where we experimented with Ubuntu.

I have booted up an old DELL Inspiron 2200 laptop with the CD and am about to choose the "Install Ubuntu" option.

For my first installation I elected to set aside the entire hard drive for Ubuntu, but in a later installation I carved out 10 GB for the Ubuntu operating system, 10 GB for a swap file (probably too much!) and the remaining 40 GB as a data drive.

Once I work out how to take screen snapshots and edit the images in Ubuntu, I'll come back here and provide details of the installation.

Installation on the DELL Inspiron 2200

Get into BIOS with F2 key immediately after power-on; get into single-boot sequence with F12 key

The BIOS version is "A04 (04/19/2005)"

Unplug network connector to make sure that we get a raw installation with no update process .

• I used the F12 function key to boot from the USB.

• Choose "Load Ubuntu to a hard disk"

• Select English (Continue)

"Preparing to install" (Continue)

• Choose "I don't want to connect" (Continue)

• Choose "Something else" (Continue)

• Choose "New Partition table" (Continue)

The DELL Inspiron has a 60 GB drive, also shown as 60,000 MB.

Ubuntu Partition Manager shows "/dev/sda free space 60111 MB"

• I elect to Add; primary; 10,000 MB (for Ubuntu boot); UseAs Ext4 journaling file system; Mount Point "/"

Ubuntu Partition Manager shows "/dev/sda free space 50111 MB"

• I elect to Add; logical; 10,000 MB UseAs Swap Area; Mount Point

Ubuntu Partition Manager shows "/dev/sda free space 40111 MB"

• I elect to Add; logical; 40,011; UseAs Ext4 journaling file system; Mount Point "/usr/local"

• Install Now

That will give me a 10 GB boot partition, a 10 GB swap area, and a 40 GB data area. Ample for my needs.

The next bit is brilliant. While the files are being copied, Ubuntu solicits essential system settings!

Time zone "New York time zone3" (Actually you can click within the time zone and specify your home town e.g. "Rainy River" or " Bullfinch "; you'll find Greaves in the linked article)

Your name: Chris Greaves

Computer's name: INSP (I like 3- or 4-letter identifiers for computers; makes the network path readable)

I seemed to have to have a password; I chose "password"

So I chose to "Log in automatically"

(wait for installation to complete)

• Remove memory key & reboot

Next Step: Disk and File Management

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