Before Getting Started

Before installing Ubuntu GNOME, you need to do a very important step:

More Information

On Windows, this means backing up your personal files AND creating a system recovery disc. If you don't create a system recovery disc, you could lose your Windows OS forever. Don't let that happen to you. Windows isn't open-source like Ubuntu, so you could end up having to buy another OS if you don't properly back yours up.

Ubuntu One provides 5GB of online storage for free, and since it's from Ubuntu, there are no strings attached. Once you get UbuntuGNOME installed, this service will make it easy to maintain solid backups or identical file systems on several systems through automatic backup.

Download And Installation

Once your personal files have been backed up, you can confidently move forward with the install.

Download

Install

BIOS

The first action you'll want to take is to boot into your BIOS. If you've never done this before, it can be achieved by pushing F2 or DEL while your computer is turning on. This may take a few tries, but one of the two buttons will work.

Once you're in the BIOS, poke around a bit using the arrow keys to navigate, and the enter key to "click". Spend a little time looking around and search for things you don't understand.

The real thing you're looking for is the boot order. Before the install, you will need to change this so that your CD drive or USB drive is first.

Final Install

There are several ways to install Ubuntu GNOME, and each has its advantages. USB is sometimes faster, but DVD tends to be more stable. Either way should work provided your system supports booting from a USB drive if you follow these directions exactly. If either of these methods doesn't work, report it!.

• USB Drive

  Live CD

After Install

Refer to our HowTo section for ideas about what to do next.