Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[El Guru (Al)]

It has been nearly 6 months since my XP System met with an untimely death and I stopped using Ubuntu. I am wanting to start trying to use it again, but from what I recall from last year it was a major pain. Downloading, burning and trying to the run the ISO. Hardware issues such as couldn't easily run 1440x900 resolution and sound issues caused by Ubuntu defaulting to wrong sound card. Then there were issues with Firefox 3 crashing.  One good thing I do recall was I somehow able to synch my TBird profile for both Windows and Linux (this would be a must as I am highly dependent on TBird).

Has there been some improvements in the past 6 months?  What is the best way to install Ubuntu.  Also I am going to allocate to partition on a drive, should I pre-partition myself or let it do it?.  I still want to be able to run Windows Vista as well (I assume they cain't both run at the same time).

Would I be better off trying to use a different distribution of Linux?

Suggestions would be appreciated.

[Pieter]

Ubuntu has the best hardware recognition available on the Linux market if you ask me. The new version of Ubuntu is right around the corner (5 days), so perhaps you should wait for that version and give it another whirl.

In the meantime, have a look at what's new in Ubuntu 8.04:
http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/804rc

What is the best way to install Ubuntu.  Also I am going to allocate to partition on a drive, should I pre-partition myself or let it do it?.  I still want to be able to run Windows Vista as well (I assume they cain't both run at the same time).

You can either partition your hard drive or, perhaps a lot easier for most people, just install it on your Windows partition, leaving Vista untouched. The second option is something fairly new to Ubuntu and is a feature of Wubi, Ubuntu's Windows-based installer.

Wubi

There is a new installation option for Windows users. Wubi allows users to install and uninstall Ubuntu like any other Windows application. It does not require a dedicated partition, nor does it affect the existing bootloader, yet users can experience a dual-boot setup almost identical to a full installation. Wubi works with a physical CD or in stand-alone mode, by downloading an appropriate ISO to install from. It can be found on the root of the CD as Wubi.exe. A full installation within a dedicated partition is still recommended, but Wubi is a great way to try Ubuntu for a few days and weeks before committing dedicated disk resources.

Downloading, burning and trying to the run the ISO.

Did you know that you can request Ubuntu on CD for free? http://shipit.ubuntu.com/

[El Guru (Al)]

Goody, I was hoping to hear from you. Yeah, I can wait on Ubuntu, until the new version comes out.  I do like being able to install like a normal Windows application. I keep forgetting I have a huge amount of space on my internal drive, so I could put it there. I'll keep and eye out for new information as well as take a look at that there link you posted.  Thanks

[spock1982 (Ernie)]

Pieter do you have any experience with Wubi? I plan to do an Ubuntu install with Wubi and I was wondering if works well or has any know issues. Looks like agreat way to do a dual boot without repartitioning or making other major changes to your hard drives.

[Ryan Wagner]

I haven't tried Wubi, but some of my friends have said that it works well. Ubuntu 8.04 is due out on Thursday so just hold off on installing until then.

[spock1982 (Ernie)]

Yeah I had a Beta downloaded a couple of weeks ago and I never got around to installing it. I will jst wait for the new release. I am pretty excited about this release because of some of the new features.