Linux Ubuntu in Marbella
Installing Linux

How to install Linux Ubuntu on your computer.
Read this entire document, before you start!

Steps

1. Beginners
   
2. Partition your hard disk
3. Insert your Linux software
4. Run your installation
   
5. Welcome
6. First steps before you do anything else
7. Welcome to true freedom

• Beginners
  The real beginner

If you have just started computing and you have decided already that you want to use Linux, then you are better off than the other guys, mainly because you don’t have to forget to much.

• Beginners
  Professionals & Independent users
  

You may consider yourself to be an expert in your present OS, but since Linux is so different, your level will now be converted to that of a beginner. Being a beginner is nothing bad, we all have to start somewhere, having had previous professional experience with other OS systems helps a great deal, but you must remember that Linux works in a different manner to what you are accustomed, you might have to forget about 70% of what you have learnt already about your current OS.

Partition your hard disk

This is probably the most complex job you will have to do, normally speaking your hard disk is one very large storage area where all your software and files are stored. Since we don’t want you to jump into the lake with out some support, we are going to build a strong wall right in the middle of your storage area, where you current information will stay on one side and your new information will live on the other side, this is called partitioning your hard disk.

Lets say that your current hard disk as 120 Gigs, you could divide your hard disk into two parts of 60 Gigs, each part setup as ntfs, with your current OS partition set as boot, you should see something like sda1 and sda2.

If you know all about partitioning, then go ahead and do it now, if you don’t then read this external link.

Insert your Linux software

There are two ways to install Linux on your system, you can either make the boot disk your self or you can buy it in shop.

When you buy it in a shop, you are actually paying for the manual, since that does cost money to make, but you could also get the same manual by down loading it directly from your chosen flavor.

Since I am an Ubuntu fan, I will tell you how to make a Ubuntu installation CD.

Minimum Recommended Requirements

• 1.2 GHz x86 processor (minimum 700 MHz)
• 384 MB of system memory (RAM)
• 8 GB of disk space
• Graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution
• Sound card
• A network or Internet connection
• Supported graphics card (see DesktopEffects)

Most people will get away with making a standard Desktop installation CD, but if you have a special computer, then you could use one of the others, like: Netbook  or the Server Edition.

Down load the large file of about 1.1 Gigs as an file.iso and save it just off the root of your hard disk, get a new dvd and burn it onto the dvd. Open your current dvd drive, remove any cd/dvd thats might be there and insert your new linux disk, then turn your computer off, wait 20 seconds.

Run your installation

Turn the computer on, and wait till it loads the content of the dvd first, thus starting the linux installation on your new partition sda2.

Welcome

OK, it looks like its finished and it probably has, but, not 100%, now you need to update the current installation to present day.

IMPORTANT

Do not upgrade any software your self manually, ALWAYS let the internal system do it for you, especially things like sound drivers and display cards.

Before you do anything else, you must update your current installation to today. At the top of the screen you will see the word "System", place you mouse over it, click it once and move your mouse over the next two options, until you arrive at Software sources, click it and you will be presented with the following window.

System > Administration > Software Sources

Ubuntu_Software

Please do not miss understand me, when I say that for the moment you should NOT select any third party software, since you are just starting off, it would not be wise to configure this just now, Later oh yes, but not now.

Updates

Authentication

Statistics

When you have finished configuring this window the Revert button will become active, you must click it and the system will then update your entire installation to present day. You will see it downloading anything between 50 and and 250 files, don’t get worryied, this is quite noramal, once finished you will then be ready to enter the real world.

Welcome to true freedom

Just a couple of important points to remember.