HOW TO INSTALL UBUNDU ?

       To use any Ubuntu operating system, you don't have to necessarily install it . Ubuntu can be used directly from a USB drive or a DVD. Just boot the computer with the media and you will find a usable desktop right away. However, a lot of functionality in the live mode is limited by the transfer speeds and space available on the USB drive. You can't store all the software on a USB stick. In case you are using a DVD or a CD as boot media, you are in a much restricted environment and won't be able to install new software. So although installation is not a requirement, it is certainly recommended as a method to enjoy your freedom to the fullest.
     If you've got this far and are reading this very sentence, we believe you are already in a mood to pop in a Ubuntu disk and fire an installation procedure for Ubuntu under different conditions.

Installing Ubuntu as a standalone OS

  If you want to use Windows on your PC, you will have to install it before Ubuntu. If you install Windows after Ubuntu, it will erase the bootloader created by Ubuntu. Although Ubuntu would still remain installed, it simply wouldn't be bootable! Windows doesn't add Ubuntu to its boot menu if it finds the Linux OS on the disk while being installed. Ubuntu, on the other hand acknowledges and respects the existence of Windows on a machine and adds it to its boot menu.

     To install Ubuntu on a machine without any operating systems, follow the regular procedure: insert the boot media (CD/DVD/USB drive) and boot the computer with it. You'll eventually arrive at the Ubuntu desktop, which, as we've already said, is very much usable as a complete system in itself. Before beginning the installation, take a backup, so that our installation is beneficial and not harmful to us. On the desktop you'll find a shortcut to the installer (it's called ubiquity). Simply double-click it and the installer will pop up asking questions (we'll call them steps to install Ubuntu):

Step 1: Choose your language. Since you are reading this, we assume you'd choose "English" on that screen and press the "Forward" button.

Step 2: On the next screen, ubiquity will recommend system requirements and tell you whether your system meets them all or not. It basically shows you the following requirements:

• 4.4 GB disk space - This is perhaps the only stringent requirement by Ubuntu. You should make sure that your hard disk has at least that much space. Of course the bigger, the better.
• Is connected to power source - This is not a very hardcore requirement. All Ubuntu wants to say here is: "please ensure power supply is not turned off when installing".
• Is connected to internet - Although this too is not necessity, Ubuntu could use your internet connection to download updates and extra media codecs (both are options provided on the screen) over the internet. This will ensure that your OS is brand new and updated when installation finally finishes.

          Just make sure that Ubuntu is ready to be installed and press the "Forward" button again to go to next step.

Step 3: In the next step, ubiquity will offer you two options: "Erase entire disk and install Ubuntu" and "Something else". Unless you have files which you'd like to have on disk, go with the first option. It tells Ubuntu to utilize the complete disk space and decide what's best for your system. Ubuntu will create its own root ( / ) partition, a swap partition and install itself on the " / " partition.
           If however you have something to save, choose the 'Something else' option and that would get you to to a simple but powerful partition editor where you can choose the disk you want to partition (in case you have more than one)and then create or edit partitions on it. We've discussed more about this in the "Installation steps for a dual-boot setup" section where it's more relevant.
          That's simple. Now click the obvious Forward button again. You'll be asked to confirm the settings once more. Then click on the 'Install now' button. Installer will disable its controls for some time while it formats the partitions for installation and then returns asking you another question.

Step 4: Installation at this point of time would already be running. While installation is still in progress, Ubuntu will ask you to enter information required after installation. This includes your time zone and country.

Step 5: Select your keyboard layout. If you are unsure, you can click the 'Detect keyboard layout' button and that would help you select the right one. In almost all cases it's the USA keyboard layout which we use. Click 'Forward'.

Step 6: Enter your name, your username (Ubuntu will automatically make your first name your username, through you can change it), computer's name (useful for a networked setup) and password for the user. Ubuntu will warn you if you choose a weak password. You can still use it. However, it's always good to have a stronger password (more than 8 characters, mixed case, special characters and digits included). You may also choose to automatically log in when the computer starts. Remember the password you enter here. Ubuntu will not offer you the luxury of forgetting it nor will it offer you a 'forget password' option.

Step 7: If you are connected to the internet, it will download the package list so that you are ready to install new software as and when you reboot. If you want, you can stop this process by clicking the 'Skip' button which reveals when you click on the line showing the current status. Oh, and if you'd allow Ubuntu to get the latest list of software, it will show you a slideshow of its best features by the time.

Step 8: There is no step 8. Ubuntu is installed. Just restart the system! Enjoy Ubuntu!
  On my next blog tell u installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot setup..