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How To….
Remove MS Vista and install Ubuntu
Created: 22 February 2009
By: Tom Mairs
Last Mod: 24 February 2009
By: Tom Mairs
Summary: This "how to" assumes that you have MS Vista installed on your
PC or notebook and want to remove it and use Ubuntu Linux instead. This
is not intended as a detailed explanation of Vista, Ubuntu, Linux or Open
Source concepts. This also assumes you have enough competence to follow
directions, use a keyboard and make adult decisions about your data. There
are no guarantees, warranties or sympathies expressed or implied with
the use of the information presented here. If you blow it up - I'm not
responsible.
Details: (follow step by step below)
First, a caveat.... Making the switch is actually pretty difficult. It
is technically possible, but totally unsupported by anybody. The biggest
problem is finding hardware drivers because most manufacturers of packaged
systems (Dell, HP, IBM, etc) do not typically write drivers for Linux.
Some of them are getting better, but for the most part, hardware drivers
are created by people in the software community as they are needed. If
you really want to do it, here are the steps....
- Download a copy of Ubuntu from here http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
and burn it to a CD. I recommend reading through the site as well if
you are not familiar with Ubuntu - there is some good information there
about the project.
- It is unlikely that any of your old application will work in Ubuntu,
but it is equally likely that there is a free equivalent available.
For instance, Open Office is every bit as good (or better) than Microsoft
Office and will read all of your MS office files.... and it comes packaged
with Ubuntu. Pigeon is a good replacement for MSN Messenger, but there
is no current support for web cams and audio (soon... real soon). The
nice thing about Ubuntu is that you can use it without actually installing
it, so if you have any doubt, run it in "demo" mode before
you actually wipe out your Vista system to make sure you like it first.
- Find out the make and model of your PC hardware, particularly the
network card. This is easier if it is a Dell, IBM, HP etc, because they
can all be found in one place usually (the manufacturers web site).
If it is a home brew, then you need to get the make and model of each
component. What you really need to know are video card, network card,
motherboard, modem, any additional extra cards you have installed. You
will not really need to download drivers at this point, but you should
have the make and model information available for later in case you
do have to go hunting for drivers.
- Back up any data you want to save because you are about to wipe out
everything on your 'puter. NOTE.. Please read this line again 2 more
times just for good measure. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DATA LOSS
!!!!!
- put the Ubuntu CD in and reboot - it should come up to the Ubuntu
install screen - if not, reboot again and watch for messages on the
screen about starting from the CD. If it still doesn't work, you need
to set the BIOS on your computer to start from a CD.
- After you answer the language question (most likely "English"),
you get to a question that asks if you want to format. If you say YES
to this, it will wipe out everything on the disk INCLUDING any saved
factory image that you may want if you decide to go back to Vista. For
many people this is not an issue, just format the whole drive, but if
you want to save that factory image, click "Manual" and you
will need to configure partitions. I suggest a 1024Mb partition for
"SWAP", 1024Mb partition for "/boot" and the balance
in "/". When you see this screen it will make sense.
- The rest is just monkey work - watch the screen and answer the prompts.
If in doubt, choose the default.
- Reboot
- copy all your backed up date back into your 'puter.
- Run Ubuntu Update - the "arrow icon" in the top mid-left
of the screen
DONE.
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