RSS Feeds: The Pain of Installing Ubuntu Linux on my Desktop Computer
I've wanted to get away from Windows for a long time. Until yesterday, I never had the desire to attempt any kind of Linux installation. What I did with Debian Linux years ago doesn't count since all of the distributions have changed so much since then. What gave me the crazy idea of installing Ubuntu Linux? It was my discovery of Clonezilla, actually.
Repairing Windows XP — Again!
Even though I have my desktop computer running through a voltage regulator, that didn't stop electrical surges from messing up my windows installation. The power surged, cut off, came back on, cut off again and then stayed on, all within about a minute. Yes, I know I need a UPS, but I haven't found one in my price range yet.
I tried to boot the computer back up, but it wasn't cooperating. I spent about 30 minutes hunting down my Windows XP installation disk, ran the recovery tool after booting it and spent more than an hour waiting for CHKDSK to find and repair what needed to be repaired.
After the computer finally booted up completely, I set it up to check the filed and disk again, just to be safe. After another hour, I decided I needed to backup the drive. I have a copy of Norton Ghost but I detest everything Symantec (it was given to me). I spent about another 15 minutes and found Clonezilla and created a Clonezilla Live CD.
It took about an hour to back my 250 gigabyte internal hard drive onto my 750 gigabyte internal hard drive (but it only ended up being a 14 gigabyte backup due to the gzip compression). Clonezilla isn't for newbies, so if you're not familiar with Linux devices (or UNIX), I would suggest something like Norton Ghost or whatever is used on a Mac if you have one of those.
Why Ubuntu Linux?
To make a long story short, I've heard nothing but good things about Ubuntu Linux. I also want to run the same Linux distribution on both my desktop computer and my netbook, which happens to be an MSI Wind and some MSI Winds are running Ubuntu Linux out of the box.
I know enough people running Ubuntu Linux that I'm pretty confident I could get any set up help I might need. I'm not absolutely sure, but I think Corey Thompson of "Another Opinion Among Many is running Ubuntu Linux.
Installing Ubuntu
Since I didn't want to commit completely to any kind of Linux, I wanted to test it. I found the Wubi Unbuntu Installer for Windows to be my best bet. All I needed was that executable and the latest desktop ISO from Ubuntu. After installing it like that and playing with it for a while, I decided to install it on its own partition.
I tested the restoration ability of Clonezilla before proceeding and it worked like a charm. I then partitioned the drive using an old utility, preparing for the Ubuntu installation. When I attempted the installation, it sat on a screen with the logo spinning for what seemed like eternity until I clicked on "Quit". This is right at the point after I selected the default keyboard language.
I tried it on the other drive, just in case my 250 gigabyte hard drive had issues. It still didn't work. I don't know what the problem is, but it probably has something to do with my desktop computer innards. Oh well, I'll simply dual-boot from within Windows XP once I re-run Wubi. At least I can use it that way, even if it is a bit slower. I'll probably do the same thing with the netbook, but with the netbook-specific ISO (since it has Windows XP on it as well).
Why not ditch Windows altogether?
There are still too many things I use that have no Linux counterpart. I need to convince my US-based relatives to switch from Yahoo Instant Messenger and whatever Microsoft calls its messenger now to something like Skype (yes, they have a version for Linux) for the video (the Yahoo IM for Linux doesn't have it).
The OpenOffice.org grammar checker isn't as good as the grammar checker for Microsoft Word (I have the old XP edition) and I do a lot of grammar checking. Yes, I'm good with grammar without it, but I still have to check my own work.
I just remembered that I couldn't get any Linux distribution to install correctly when I first got my desktop computer. That's why I installed Windows XP on it in the first place. I'll make sure my next desktop computer either comes pre-installed with a Linux distribution or I'll install it myself at the store where I buy it, just to be sure it can be installed on that particular computer.
Similar Posts:
Forgot to mention also, I ran Ubuntu by booting off a USB for a while too, easy way to get a feel for it without giving your computer the once over.
My last blog: Pantone colour of the year
RT,
Someone recommended the Mint distribution of Ubuntu the other day – going to give this a whirl http://www.linuxmint.com/
Let me know how it works out.
Got to dig out the old PC first – I won't be giving up my old windows XP just yet… I love it and hate it at the same time… Just so used to my usual XP routine.
My last blog: Joomla Ping Extension
This is a tough one particularly for someone like myself, so I settled to installing xamp. Thanks for the tip
My last blog: PPO Insurance and Plans and deductibles
RT:
Ubuntu has an included disk partition program. It worked flawlessly for me when I moved out of Windows about 4 months ago. I had a 64 bit computer with Vista 32 bit installed and I was NOT going to buy the Upgrade Package. I have not looked back as Wine has run all my Windows-based apps so far.
It may have been a conflict that was created when you did this: "I then partitioned the drive using an old utility, preparing for the Ubuntu installation."
My last blog: Would You Toss 10 Million Unique Monthly Visitors?
During my attempted installation, it hung right there where it said it was loading the partition utility. The old partition utility, umm… Partition Magic, didn't work right either. When I get the nerve up again, I'll just get gparted set up on live CD and do it that way, after backing up the system again.
If you're looking to put Linux on your netbook, I just installed JoliCloud a couple months ago on my HP Mini 1000 which came with XP on it. Awesome. Don't worry, I don't work for the company or anyway related. You might have to check if they support your netbook.
My last blog: 5 Tools You Must Have to Take Care of Mom’s Computer
I tried JoliCloud before anything else, after I backed up the netbook's drive. I'm sorry, but I wasn't impressed. Maybe it's because I really don't get into the social media aspect.
I absolutely Loooooove Ubuntu! I've been using it exclusively for about 3 years now. I have a dual boot for windows Vista, but NEVER use it!