Ubuntu Linux® For Dummies®

Chapter 4. Installing Ubuntu Linux

In This Chapter

• Evaluating what you need

• Selecting settings: Language and time zone

• Defining your user account

• Configuring a file system to install to

• Installing Ubuntu Linux to your hard drive

• Finishing the installation

You can install Ubuntu to your hard drive if you have space alongside Microsoft Windows, intend to erase a current Windows installation entirely, or are using a new hard drive.

If you don't want to completely erase Windows, Chapter 3 shows how to free up space from your current Windows installation.

This chapter is divided into sections describing each stage of the permanent Ubuntu installation process on a hard drive.

This chapter is only a fraction of the length of other installation chapters I've written — which shows how straightforward installing Ubuntu is.

Stage 1: Gathering Your Resources

In general, Ubuntu Linux is easy to install. Use the following checklist to make sure you have everything you need for the installation:

• A compatible computer

  Ubuntu can run on

  • Intel/AMD‐compatible 32‐bit PCs: This book's companion CD runs on 32‐bit PCs.

    Almost all PCs made in the last 20 years use 32‐bit processors.

  • Intel/AMD‐compatible 64‐bit PCs: This book's companion Ubuntu CD does not work on 64‐bit computers. You can download a 64‐bit Ubuntu CD from http://releases.ubuntu.com/6.10. Ubuntu provides instructions for burning the CD at http://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto.

    Many of the newest, fastest PCs use 64‐bit processors. Computers using ...