Welcome to this guide on how to install Ubuntu 11.04! Before you start, make sure to backup all your important files before proceeding any further, since even though this SHOULD be safe, and will probably not delete anything, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Start off by visiting the download page on ubuntu.com to get the iso file. To install, you have to either burn this file to a cd, or make a live usb. A live CD or usb lets you try out an operating system without making any changes to your system, until you click install, when you get to choose what to do.
For the screenshots, i have been using a virtual machine to install on, explainig the small harddrive and lack of graphic drivers. VirtualBox OSE is available in the software center if you want to try it.
Instructions for cd: Put in a regular, writeable cd. Use any program to burn the image file, Brasero is one of these, and it comes preinstalled with ubuntu, so if you're already using ubuntu, it's the easiest way. To burn with Brasero: Start Brasero and choose "Burn image", then select the downloaded iso file, and burn to the cd at as low speed as possible. There are also instructions on the ubuntu.com download site.
Instructions for usb: (Note that not all computers support this, altough most new computers do) You will have to format the usb drive to use it, backup all data on it! In Ubuntu: Use the tool Startup disk creator, wich comes preinstalled. Start it, then choose the iso file by clicking Other.. Then click erase disk to format the usb stick, and finally press Make Startup Disk. You can also use the tool Unetbootin, available from the software center, which is not only able to create live usb:s for ubuntu, but for many different distros. If you're using windows, follow the instructions on the ubuntu.com download site.
To boot from CD/USB: Start your computer, and when BIOS starts, press the right Function Key to choose where to boot from. Which Function Key that is the right one is different from computer to computer, but on mine it says something like, "press F12 for boot selection menu." So I press F12. Now you should have a menu that lets you choose between harddrive, CD, USB. Choose the one you want, and wait untill you see this screen: (If you used Unetbootin, you get one more menu before, just hit default).
Please note that running an operating system from a CD is A LOT slower than from a harddrive, so don't worry if it takes a few minutes. Usb is a bit faster, but not as fast as a harddrive. (If you want it even faster try an SSD)
Eventually, you'll come to this screen: Just choose your prefered language, and press Try Ubuntu. This is recommended as it will give you a chance to see how Ubuntu runs on your hardware, if there are any drivers available, and of course, let you try it out and see how you like it. If you already know how it works though, you can of course click install.
After some more loading, you will see the ubuntu desktop. Here you can try it out just as if it was install, just remember it's a lot slower than a real install. You may or may not have the new Unity sidebar, depending on whether your graphics card supports it and if you have the correct drivers installed. If not, you will see the standard gnome2 desktop, as i did.
Open System -> Administration -> Additional drivers, and see if there are any available drivers. There may be no drivers available on the live cd/usb, and your wireless network may not be working, but in my case, and many others, they work after installing ubuntu and plugging in an ethernet cable to download the drivers. There may also be video drivers, allowing you to run Unity, but these may also only be visible after installing, and with a working internet connection.
(Before installation) (after installation)
When done testing, doubleclick the Install icon on the desktop, to prepare for installation. You will now have another opportunity to change language, but also read the release notes. Press forward.
You will now be see a screen showing you how to make the installation as easy as possible. If you have an internet connection, make sure to tick the two boxes as they give you out of the box mp3 and flash support which you will have to fix manually otherwise. (It's not that hard though, install the package ubuntu-restricted-extras in synaptic package manager after installing ubuntu.)
I'll show you how to partition it manually, if you have chosen any other option, it should be pretty much self-explanatory. If there are no partitions, you'll have to "Create New Partition Table", otherwise, you just press "Create Partition", when you have selected a free space big enough. (Use ext4 for / and /home , swap area for swap.) First create a partition for "/" (root), this is where yor system will be installed, and if not specified elsewhere, all your files to. If you want your files somewhere else, create(or select) another partition with "/home" as mount point. You can also create a swap partition, used as an extension for the RAM-memory, it's sufficient with only a few gigabytes, about the same amount as your RAM-memory.
This is what it can look like when you're done:
Next, choose your timezone, click forward, then choose your keyboard layout:
Finally, choose a username and password, click forward, and sit back and relax, Ubuntu 11.04 is now installing!
When promted, reboot your computer, choose Ubuntu from the GRUB menu (If you're dual-booting), and you should now have a faster, safer and better computer!
Please follow our setup guide to get started with some of the basic features of Ubuntu.