Before Getting Started

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

More Information

• On Windows, back up your personal files AND create 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 copy 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.

• If you're having trouble burning your ISO to a DVD, there exists a free and open source software to accomplish this. It is InfraRecorder, and it can be used to accomplish all that needs to be to get Ubuntu GNOME onto a bootable medium. For a more in depth look at how to use a Live CD to install, go here.

Download

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

Install

BIOS

The first action you'll want to take is to enter into your BIOS. If you've never done this before, it can be achieved by pushing F2 Key or DEL Key or F10 Key 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 the first device to boot from.

Final Install

There are several ways to install Ubuntu GNOME, and each has its advantages. USB is faster than DVD. 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, Please Contact Us!.

You need to create or borrow an Ubuntu GNOME DVD or USB-stick. Once you have an Ubuntu DVD or USB it should work as an installer and as a LiveDVD or LiveUSB. There are some downloads, such as the Alternate installer that cannot be used as LiveCd/Usb.

Installing via LiveDVD

Prerequisites for installation with a LiveDVD are:

• A blank DVD-R or DVD-RW Note: you cannot use a CD, because they are not big enough.

• A computer that supports booting from a DVD. Most do, unless they don't have a DVD drive.

Once you have burned the disc and changed your boot order (as described in BIOS), just put the disc in your drive, and reboot. You will be presented with a menu, and it will guide you through the installation. Be sure to read each screen in its entirety, because installing a new OS incorrectly can often wipe out partitions that you would rather keep so please do read each screen carefully.

To create a LiveUsb

Prerequisites for installation with a LiveUSB are:

• A computer that supports booting from a USB (Check your bios).
• A USB drive of 2GB or more.

• Your preferred Download of Ubuntu GNOME.

Once you have created the LiveUSB and changed your boot order (as described in BIOS), just put the disc in your drive, and reboot. You will be presented with a menu, and it will guide you through the installation. Be sure to read each screen in its entirety, because installing a new OS incorrectly can often wipe out partitions that you would rather keep Wink so please do read each screen carefully.

For more information, please have a read at: Installing from USB.

Type of Installations

Basic or Auto Installation

This could be the easiest and shortest installation type. However, you should be very careful in order not to wipe any other system installed on the machine you are trying to install Ubuntu GNOME on. For more details, please have a read at: Basic Installation of Ubuntu GNOME.

After Install

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