Ubuntu Installation Guide
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Ubuntu Installation Guide

Copyright © 2004, 2005 the Debian Installer team

Copyright © 2004, 2005 Canonical Ltd.

This manual is free software; you may redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License. Please refer to the license in Appendix E, GNU General Public License.

Abstract

This document contains installation instructions for the Ubuntu 5.10 “Breezy Badger” system, for the Intel x86 (“i386”) architecture. It also contains pointers to more information and information on how to make the most of your new Ubuntu system.

Table of Contents

Installing Ubuntu 5.10 “Breezy Badger” For i386
1. Welcome to Ubuntu
1.1. What is Ubuntu?
1.1.1. Sponsorship by Canonical
1.2. What is Debian?
1.2.1. Ubuntu and Debian
1.3. What is GNU/Linux?
1.4. Getting Ubuntu
1.5. Getting the Newest Version of This Document
1.6. Organization of This Document
1.7. About Copyrights and Software Licenses
2. System Requirements
2.1. Supported Hardware
2.1.1. Supported Architectures
2.1.2. CPU, Main Boards, and Video Support
2.1.3. Graphics Card
2.1.4. Laptops
2.1.5. Multiple Processors
2.2. Installation Media
2.2.1. CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
2.2.2. Hard Disk
2.2.3. USB Memory Stick
2.2.4. Network
2.2.5. Un*x or GNU system
2.2.6. Supported Storage Systems
2.3. Peripherals and Other Hardware
2.4. Purchasing Hardware Specifically for GNU/Linux
2.4.1. Avoid Proprietary or Closed Hardware
2.4.2. Windows-specific Hardware
2.4.3. Fake or “Virtual” Parity RAM
2.5. Memory and Disk Space Requirements
2.6. Network Connectivity Hardware
3. Before Installing Ubuntu
3.1. Overview of the Installation Process
3.2. Back Up Your Existing Data!
3.3. Information You Will Need
3.3.1. Documentation
3.3.2. Finding Sources of Hardware Information
3.3.3. Hardware Compatibility
3.3.4. Network Settings
3.4. Meeting Minimum Hardware Requirements
3.5. Pre-Partitioning for Multi-Boot Systems
3.5.1. Partitioning From DOS or Windows
3.6. Pre-Installation Hardware and Operating System Setup
3.6.1. Invoking the BIOS Set-Up Menu
3.6.2. Boot Device Selection
3.6.3. Miscellaneous BIOS Settings
3.6.4. Hardware Issues to Watch Out For
4. Obtaining System Installation Media
4.1. Official Ubuntu CD-ROMs
4.2. Downloading Files from Ubuntu Mirrors
4.2.1. Where to Find Installation Images
4.3. Preparing Files for USB Memory Stick Booting
4.3.1. Copying the files — the easy way
4.3.2. Copying the files — the flexible way
4.4. Preparing Files for Hard Disk Booting
4.4.1. Hard disk installer booting using LILO or GRUB
4.5. Preparing Files for TFTP Net Booting
4.5.1. Setting up BOOTP server
4.5.2. Setting up a DHCP server
4.5.3. Enabling the TFTP Server
4.5.4. Move TFTP Images Into Place
4.6. Automatic Installation
4.6.1. Automatic installation using the Ubuntu Installer
4.6.2. Automatic installation using Kickstart
5. Booting the Installation System
5.1. Booting the Installer on Intel x86
5.1.1. Booting from a CD-ROM
5.1.2. Booting from linux using LILO or GRUB
5.1.3. Booting from USB memory stick
5.1.4. Booting with TFTP
5.1.5. i386 Boot Parameters
5.1.6. System freeze during the PCMCIA configuration phase
5.1.7. System freeze while loading the USB modules
5.2. Boot Parameters
5.2.1. Ubuntu Installer Parameters
5.3. Troubleshooting the Install Process
5.3.1. Boot Configuration
5.3.2. Interpreting the Kernel Startup Messages
5.3.3. Bug Reporter
5.3.4. Submitting Installation Reports
6. Using the Ubuntu Installer
6.1. How the Installer Works
6.2. Components Introduction
6.3. Using Individual Components
6.3.1. Setting up Ubuntu Installer and Hardware Configuration
6.3.2. Partitioning and Mount Point Selection
6.3.3. Installing the Base System
6.3.4. Making Your System Bootable
6.3.5. Finishing the First Stage
6.3.6. Miscellaneous
7. Booting Into Your New Ubuntu System
7.1. The Moment of Truth
7.2. Ubuntu Post-Boot (Base) Configuration
7.2.1. Configuring Your Time Zone
7.2.2. Setting Up Users And Passwords
7.2.3. Configuring APT
7.2.4. Package Installation
7.2.5. Prompts During Software Installation
7.3. Log In
8. Next Steps and Where to Go From Here
8.1. If You Are New to Unix
8.2. Orienting Yourself to Ubuntu
8.2.1. Ubuntu Packaging System
8.2.2. Application Version Management
8.2.3. Cron Job Management
8.3. Reactivating DOS and Windows
8.4. Further Reading and Information
8.5. Compiling a New Kernel
8.5.1. Kernel Image Management
A. Installation Howto
A.1. Booting the installer
A.1.1. CDROM
A.1.2. USB memory stick
A.1.3. Booting from network
A.2. Installation
A.3. And finally..
B. Partitioning for Ubuntu
B.1. Deciding on Ubuntu Partitions and Sizes
B.2. The Directory Tree
B.3. Recommended Partitioning Scheme
B.4. Device Names in Linux
B.5. Ubuntu Partitioning Programs
B.5.1. Partitioning for Intel x86
C. Random Bits
C.1. Preconfiguration File Example
C.2. Linux Devices
C.2.1. Setting Up Your Mouse
C.3. Disk Space Needed
C.4. Installing Ubuntu from a Unix/Linux System
C.4.1. Getting Started
C.4.2. Install debootstrap
C.4.3. Run debootstrap
C.4.4. Configure The Base System
C.4.5. Install a Kernel
C.4.6. Set up the Boot Loader
C.4.7. Install the Ubuntu Desktop
D. Administrivia
D.1. About This Document
D.2. Contributing to This Document
D.3. Major Contributions
D.4. Trademark Acknowledgement
E. GNU General Public License
E.1. Preamble
E.2. GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
E.3. How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs

List of Tables

3.1. Hardware Information Needed for an Install
3.2. Recommended Minimum System Requirements
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