Replace Windows 98 with UBUNTU

[Old Biltong]

I have a UBUNTU version which I want to load onto my PC. Is there more to do other than formatting my hard drive and then loading Ubuntu? I am an absolute novice when it comes to doing something like this ,so need a comprehensive description as to what to do

[LeMarchand]

You might want to check the minimum specs for Ubuntu; while it needs a lot less than XP or (especially) Vista, you might want to make sure. Also try to find suitable drivers for any hardware you may have - drivers support isn't as good.

Have you tried running Ubuntu as a "Live CD" already? (You can run a limited version directly from the CD).

If your hard disk is big enough, you may also want to consider installing Ubuntu on a separate partition before wiping Win98.

[R1Geezer]

yeah and why not get one of those excellent steam powered TV's. Perlease! now I know that a lot of windowsy type OS is a crock of sh1te but at least you can buy software for it. Who would write for the 0.00000001% of the market geeks?

[fo3nix]

R1: what are you on about?

Old Biltong: how much RAM does the computer have? Latest Ubuntu, 8.04 (Hardy), needs a good 384MB to install. If it doesn't have this, and you definitely want Ubuntu, then try getting 6.06, which will install on less RAM, and can then be upgraded to 8.04 without too much effort.

Here's what you do:
1) Goto ubuntu.com, and download the version you want.
2) Burn this .iso file to a CD
3) Start up computer you want to use, and hit F2 or whatever it is to enter BIOS. Make sure that the CD drive is a boot option before the internet hard drive (else it'll always boot into Windows and never read the CD).
4) Put CD in machine, boot up, and it should hopefully present you with some options.
5) Choose to install Ubuntu. You'll be asked the odd question, like if the date is correct, and what username and password you want. After complete, it'll tell you to take out the CD and restart.
6) It should now boot into your Ubuntu system. Type in your username and password, and it'll get you in.

After doing this, you should connect to the internet (ethernet cable ideally) and download latest updates using Synaptic package manager (from administration menu).

It all sounds complicated, but it's pretty easy.

Don't forget that there's ubuntuforums.org, with a special section for absolute beginners. Worth signing up there to ask your questions, as they'll likely be more knowledgeable about it than those here.

[R1Geezer]

what I'm saying f03nix is yes no doubt umongo is bl00dy marvellous But most of the world, for good or bad is on Windows of some form. Who do you think the software suppliers are going to write for?. It's great for geeks who love to do their own microcode or whatever but most people just want the thing to do the things they want.

[fo3nix]

That's a very old view of things.

And quite untrue.

Counting all the computers in the world puts Windows out on top, but this includes commercial PCs that are used in offices and purchased in bulk by huge multinationals. It also includes the computers that run displays at train stations, airports, etc.

If you look at the OS's running web servers, you'll find most are GNU/Linux or other unix-like system.

And, in the states anyway, over 60% of all computers over the value of $1000 are Apple Macs.

This "Windows is 99% of computer systems" is often perpetuated by Microsoft themselves, trying to keep a hold on the market.

While I agree that GNU/Linux certainly doesn't have the commercial attraction that Windows does (or even Mac OS X), it certainly isn't just "great for geeks who love to do their own microcode".