How to install Linux on Desktop or Laptop

Remember Important Note:

1. Remember that a clean install will overwrite your current operating system (ie. Windows) and your data (photos, video, music etc) unless you backup to another storage device before installing.
2. you need to manually copy or move your files and data to the external storage device, like a USB flash drive or external hard drive (see below) before you begin the installation.
3. You will also need a DVD burner to
4.  (a) burn the ISO image to a blank DVD optical disc and then
5.  (b) to install Ubuntu.

Installation Methods:

1. The standard method of installing Ubuntu has generally been to download the ISO file and burn it to a CD, but Canonical is aware that netbook owners may not have access to a CD drive, and that a USB stick is often more convenient.
2. It’s also possible to try Ubuntu from USB or CD, or even install it to a USB drive as a persistent installation to give you the same desktop and applications on any PC. For now, though, we’ll assume you want to install it to a hard disk.
3. You can also install Ubuntu alongside an existing Windows setup
4. The two operating systems work smoothly without any interaction, and both Windows and Ubuntu will run at maximum speed.

Installing Ubuntu from a USB memory stick

Step 1:

                       To install Ubuntu from a USB memory stick, you'll need three things: the ISO file for your version of choice, the Universal USB Installer program and a 2GB memory stick.

Note:          You can find ISO at www.ubuntu.com/download and the USB Installer from www.pendrivelinux.com.

Step 2:

1. Run the Universal USB Installer.
2. Select your version of Ubuntu from the first drop-down menu, navigate to your ISO file in the text box, then select your USB drive from the second drop-down menu.
3. Check the box if you need to format the drive, then click Create. Hey presto, one bootable USB stick.

         

Step 3:

1.  First, check that the BIOS of your new Ubuntu system is set up to boot from a USB drive (check manuals for details if need be).
2. Now insert the USB stick and restart your PC. It should load the Ubuntu installer. Click the Install Ubuntu button and tick the two boxes on the next page before clicking Forward.

                   

Step 4:       

1. In this case, we want to install Ubuntu alongside the existing Windows installation, so choose “Install alongside other operating systems”.
2. If you're happy to wipe the drive and start again, pick the second option, “Erase and use the entire disk”.

Step 5:

1. This screen shows your existing partitions and how they will be divided up post-installation.
2. To change the share for either Ubuntu or Windows, just drag the dividing line to the left or right. Click Install Now when you're ready.

Step 6:

1. To change the share for either Ubuntu or Windows, just drag the dividing line to the left or right. Click Install Now when you're ready.