Installing Ubuntu on netbook

MooShop

Hi all,

I have a netbook, thats about three years old. Currently it has Windows XP running on it. I bought it three years ago for travelling, I haven't used it in over a year. I turn it on every now and again but as I have a desktop I have no real use for it.

I would like to do a clean install of Ubuntu. Could anybody recommend the best way to do this? I'd prefer to get rid of Windows altogether, so maybe format the hard drive and install from a flash drive? I have never installed Ubuntu before so I'm wondering how easy/difficult it is to do this.

Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

excollier

It is very simple, because once you boot from any almost Ubuntu based distro iso, you will be offered the chance to install alongside the existing os(in your case XP) as a dual boot, or use the whole drive for Ubuntu, in which case it will simply format the whole drive automatically and install Ubuntu instead. The Ubuntu installer does lead you by the hand giving you a couple of opportunities to cancel the whole thing.
I assume you know how to burn a live iso to a usb (Unetbootin is the most useful for Windows users) and this gives you a chance to boot run it live from the usb to see if you like it first. Also you will need to change your BIOS to allow the computer to boot from usb before the hard drive.
Link for UNetbootin:
http://www.download366.com/unetbootin?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=366_UK_Sistema&utm_content=UNetbootin&utm_term=unetbootin&gclid=CIT1hLqplbgCFYU72wodFwMABQ

MooShop

Thanks very much excollier. That is an excellent post. Will give it a go over the weekend, overall it sounds like a fairly simple process.

Thanks again!

excollier

Some useful tips on Ubuntu's own site too re making bootable usb and running live etc.
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
Let us know how you get on.
A word of caution though, once you start down the Linux path, it becomes very addictive. You probably won't stop at just Ubuntu....

Tom Dunne

Just a minor thing - install Lubuntu. It's got a lightweight window manager that is better suited to netbooks.

Alternatively, jolicloud is also a good option for netbooks.

tinofapples

I installed Slacko Puppy on a Samsung N110 netbook my brother gave me as the windows operating system o it was shocking. It's much faster for internet browsing now. I'm booting it from usb constantly but considering jolicloud now as an alternative. I have used Ubuntu before on laptops and have no complaints about it.

The_Old_Grey Whistle_Thief

Windows is not meant to be removed. My friend got rid of it as well and then realised he needed it again. He did not have any fun reinstalling it.

Saying that, I currently have Xubuntu and recommend it highly.

excollier

The_Old_Grey Whistle_Thief wrote: »

Windows is not meant to be removed. .

But removing it is very cathartic, I've discovered.:D

PropJoe10

Ubuntu is good but I much prefer Xubuntu, the desktop environment is much more enjoyable to use. Lubuntu is also a good shout.

excollier

You could try Linux Lite. Ubuntu based, and a lightweight, excellent distro - only 32 bit though.

The_Old_Grey Whistle_Thief

excollier wrote: »

You could try Linux Lite. Ubuntu based, and a lightweight, excellent distro - only 32 bit though.

Both Lubuntu and Xubuntu are lightweight as well. You could also look into Bodhi Linux or something else that uses Enlightenment which is very lightweight I think.

J_A_F_A

Here's another suggestion. http://peppermintos.com/ It runs fine on my old (ex XP) laptop ( Pentium M processor 1.60GHz / 1Gb RAM)