Trying Ubuntu Linux

For this tutorial we use Ubuntu Linux because it's one of the most commonly used Linux desktop operating systems and there's lots of support available.

We'll take you through getting ready, burning an Ubuntu CD and running Ubuntu from the LiveCD.

After testing out the LiveCD, if you want to install Ubuntu simply click the Install icon to start the installation.

Getting ready

Before installing Linux, check your computer can run it. Ubuntu recommends at least a 500 MHz system, 8GB of hard drive space, and 192MB of RAM - although we recommend at least 256MB or more.

You should also check that all your system hardware is supported. There's a hardware support information page at https://wiki.ubuntu.com.

Back up your system before you start (see our test of backup software for more information), as adding an operating system is a major step. It's also worth having your system recovery disks on hand. If you don't have a recovery CD/DVD for Windows, ask your vendor for one - you are entitled to a recovery disk.

Sourcing Ubuntu

Most free versions of Linux are available for download as an ".iso" file. An ISO contains an "image" of a CD or DVD, including the data and file system information. Linux installs are frequently provided as images so that you can run the operating system directly from disk (known as a LiveCD) and so that installation is simple and straightforward.

To use an .iso file, you need to burn it to disk as an image rather than as a data CD. CD burning software such as Nero Burning Rom can burn images, but there are also free open source image burning programs, such as ISO Recorder and InfraRecorder.

Alternatively you can purchase pre-made install CDs cheaply from New Zealand distributors.

Burning an Ubuntu CD

If you have a CD burner and an ISP that will allow 700MB downloads, downloading and creating an installation disk yourself is straightforward. If you're on dialup or a 256Kbps broadband connection, it might help to leave it downloading overnight. Just check to make sure you don't go over your bandwidth cap.

Step 1

Head to www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu and select Download Ubuntu. On the Download Ubuntu tab, choose the most recent desktop version. You'll also need to identify your computer type. If you know you have a 64-bit computer, select 64bit AMD and Intel computers, but otherwise choose Standard personal computer. Finally, select a location from which to download the file, and click Start Download.

Step 2

Once the file is downloaded, burn it to disk as a disk image. We use InfraRecorder here. Insert a blank CD into your CDROM or DVD-ROM drive, then in the Actions menu select Burn Image. Finally browse to locate the file you downloaded.

Step 3

The .iso file is large, so it may not fit on your CD unless you use overburning.

Overburning writes information to the disk right to the edge, using all the space for data rather than writing the files that usually close the CD.

In the Advanced tab, tick to enable overburning, and then burn your CD.

Installing Ubuntu Linux as a LiveCD

Step 1

First, defragment your computer. Defragmenting moves all the data into contiguous sections of the hard drive, which makes it easier to partition the drive between the two operating systems.

In XP click Start - My Computer. Right-click on the drive you want to defragment and choose Properties. On the Tools tab, select Defragment now. In Vista, type defragment into the search box to launch the defragmenter.

Note that if this is the first time you have defragmented your hard drive, it may take quite a while. You can speed it up by first deleting any unnecessary files.

Step 2

Insert the Ubuntu disk you made earlier into your CD-ROM or DVD drive, then restart your computer. After Ubuntu loads, you'll be presented with a list of options. If you want to ensure nothing goes wrong later, click Check CD for Defects - this takes a few minutes and will restart your system in Windows once completed, so you'll need to repeat the process of starting from the CD.

Step 3

Ubuntu loads as a LiveCD - this means that it runs as an operating system straight from the CD. You can explore Linux here, including browsing the web, running applications and changing settings, although nothing will be saved. Note that running from the LiveCD is slower than running a fully installed Ubuntu.

After testing out the LiveCD, if you want to install Ubuntu simply click the Install icon to start the installation.