Test Drive Ubuntu Linux Without Installing Anything on Your Computer
September 6, 2007
Have you ever been curious about Linux? You would love to play with it, but you don’t have the spare drive space to make a dual boot system, and you don’t have the spare hardware lying around to set up a dedicated Linux machine. Well never fear, Ubuntu is here!
Usually, before you go installing Linux, you go and download the CD Images, or ISOs, that you need for the installation. Then you create the CDs, and install the operating system. You could also use the ISO files for other purposes, without ever creating CDs, but I’ll talk more about that at a later date.
Usually the Installation CDs for Operating Systems are bootable, so that you can start a computer which doesn’t have an operating system, and install whatever it is that you just downloaded. Well, in this case, you can also boot from the Ubuntu Desktop CD, and have a working Ubuntu Linux environment in just minutes.
These images ansd instructions are based on, at the time of this writing, the current release of Ubuntu Desktop. Version 7.04 or “Feisty Fawn”
Step 1: Download the image.
You can go to the Ubuntu web site, and look for a big “Download Now” button.
Step 2: Make a CD-Rom out of it.
This is usually pretty easy to do, but you’ll have to look in the directions of whatever CD Writing Software you have if you aren’t sure how. You can also look on the manufacturer’s web site.
Step 3: Boot from the CD.
Booting from the CD usually entails bringing up a boot menu when your computer starts, and choosing “Boot From CDROM”, or setting the CDRom as the first boot Device in your BIOS. I’ll try to explain both of these steps at a later date. When I do, I’ll add links here.
Note: Clicking on the following images will open the full sized version in another tab or window, depending on your browser settings
Step 4: Choose “Start or Install Ubuntu”
After Choosing this option, your patience will be rewarded with a Ubuntu Desktop
Step 5: Poke around.
That’s right, that’s about all there is to it. If your Network Card was recognized, then you should now have Internet access.
Note: The programs on the Live CD are actually running from the CD itself. They will not be as responsive, nor load as fast, as they would if Ubuntu was installed to the Hard Drive.
At the top of your screen, you’ll find a handy dandy help button, which will bring a ton of various help topics.
This CD includes everything that is included in the default install of Ubuntu Desktop 7.04, so you can also get a nice preview of what things will look like. There is an Office Suite, Gimp for image manipulation, games and Multimedia Tools. This will also give you a good idea if the hardware on your computer is going to be recognized by Ubuntu.
If you like what you see, you can Install using the install icon on the desktop.
Warning: If you do install Linux on your computer, you may lose the data that is already on your hard drive. Make sure you have a good idea of what you are doing, as well as a good backup of any important data.
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September 6th, 2007 at 5:35 am
Oh this is really cool. You make me a happy man indeed. I forgotten about the boot from CD option which is a great way to do a test run on the operating system.
I’ve been toying w/ going Ubuntu for too long but our home machine is used by everyone and I just wasn’t ready to make the leap w/ the kiddos going into a tailspin of confusion. Hoping within a month or two to purchase a second machine. Is it a Windows blah blah blah, or a Mac! $ $ $, or perhaps one with Ubuntu installed!
Thanks mucho.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Glad to remind you Phil.
Have you used VMWare Server? You could install that on your computer, and put Ubuntu in a VM for yourself.
I should have some posts about it next week.
September 8th, 2007 at 7:47 am
Also, unlike some other ‘live cd” distros, you can actually use this while it is installing. Some other distros require you to boot from the CD and choose an install option, kind of like the way you would install Windows.
With Ubuntu you can boot from the CD and wind up at the Gnome desktop, then start the install. While it is installing to your hard drive you can continue to use it normally. I love this because it means there is essentially no downtime and you can continue working.
Ubuntu comes with the Gnome desktop, which I don’t particularly like, so I use Kubuntu, which uses the KDE desktop. I prefer KDE because it’s much more user-friendly for Windows users, and has more options for eye candy. Eye candy is important for me. Some users like to use a very plain desktop when they just want to get some work done, but I like eye candy because for me it makes the computer fun to use, translating to greater productivity. At least for me. Your opinion may, of course, differ.
September 8th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Thanks Art, I’ll have to check out kubuntu.
Welcome Back!