I would like to install the 64-bit version of Ubuntu on my new PC build. How do I do it?

Question

I am almost finished building an AMD barebone kit. I think these are the need-to-know specs:

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition AM3 CPU
ASUS M4A78T-E AMD 790GX AM3 mobo
Corsair XMS3 4GB PC10666 DDR3 1333MHz RAM, upgradable to 16GB w/ 64-bit OS

I thought about getting Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Edition, but I've heard good things about Ubuntu and I'm no pro when it comes to CLI, but I can do what needs to be done. I know Ubuntu has a GUI, but if it's mostly command line stuff, please let me know and possibly another option that is not Windows that may suit my abilities. Thanks!

Answer 1

Who told you it's mostly command line stuff?



It's about as close to a hybrid of command line and GUI as you can find. Actually technically you can browse the web, open a word processor, and customize your GUI without entering a single command in the terminal. Same goes for installation. Ubuntu is about as easy as it gets for the point-and-click.



I highly recommend 64-bit Ubuntu. I've tried several Linux distrtos and I always come back to Ubuntu for it's ease of use, customizability, and compatability. It's better than windows in so many ways, my favorite is not needing antivirus software.



Sorry yeah I'd recommend a flash drive, but you can use a DVD if you'd like. Download the .iso from the website, burn it using a program that makes the image bootable, reorder your BIOS boot order, and everything is automated with point and click, takes about fifteen minutes.



As Windows 7 is expensive I'd recommend just downloading a free .iso of Windows 7, and creating a virtual machine inside of Ubuntu to use Windows when you need it without having to actually install it or purchase it. It's not a registered copy of Windows so it'll expire in one month, but then you can just reset the virtual machine to a fresh install, and you get another 30 days, ad infinitum. Ubuntu will really meet any needs you have.

Answer 2

Who told you that Ubuntu is mostly CLI? There's very few things that you really need the CLI for, and that's only if you really really want to customize the operating system.



Also, you might want to get Windows 7 anyway and dual-boot the two OSes (put them both on the computer). There's always one or two programs that you're going to want that don't work so well in Linux. If you do decide to dual-boot, install Windows first. If Windows is on the computer and you install Ubuntu, the Ubuntu installer will make it easy to partition the hard drives and then give you a menu that lets you choose which OS to boot into. If you install Ubuntu and then Windows, Windows will just pretend Ubuntu doesn't exist.



Anyway, all you need to do is get a copy of the CD. You can either request a copy (for free) from Canonical or you can download the image from the Ubuntu website : http://www.ubuntu.com



If you know how to torrent, here's the torrent link for the image (yes, it's legal. This link is straight from Ubuntu's website, you just have to know where to look) : http://releases.ubuntu.com/maverick/ubuntu-10.10-desktop-amd64.iso.torrent



Burn the image to the disk or wait for the CD to arrive. Put it in the computer and boot off of it. You can even run the entire OS off of the CD if you want to try it out before installing it. When you're ready to install, just double click the install icon and follow the steps. The Ubuntu installation is actually more straightforward than installing Windows.

Answer 3

Overall a Linux based platform can certainly perform most of the tasks equally as well as a Windows based platform using the likes of Ubuntu and its derivative distros. (with the exception of a few applications and gaming). For example on one of my Hard Drives I Dual Boot with XP as it is vastly superior when it comes to playback of Blu-ray movies so I keep an XP partition specifically for that purpose

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm



If you intend to be running a considerable number of Windows applications a better method would be to Dual Boot as described above or install Linux inside Windows



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 10 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 10.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Installing Linux as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



Linux Mint has a similar installer called mint4win (mint4win works the same as Wubi so the instructions outlined above are almost identical)



You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



mint4win keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Linux Mint LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the mint4win installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Linux Mint is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint



Linux Mint 10 Download (64bit)

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=68



Linux Mint 10 User Guide

http://linuxmint.com/rel_julia.php



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 10 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto



Linux Mint 10 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Boot without touching your Hard Drive



If now or in the future you plan to carry out a Full Installation of Linux Mint 10 you can follow the tutorial below



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 10 (Julia)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-10-julia



If you find that you need to run a considerable number of Windows applications then go with XP as it is more than capable at just about every task and costs next to nothing these days on sites like ebay





LUg.

Answer 4

You can install it using a disk, USB flash drive, or other method.