Kubuntu/Installation

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Why try Kubuntu?

There are many good reasons to install Kubuntu! Some of them include:

Kubuntu makes your PC friendly.
Kubuntu is an operating system built by a friendly worldwide team of expert developers. It contains all the applications you need: web browser, office suite, media apps, instant messaging, and many others. For a list of the included software, see the Software page.
Kubuntu is a free, open-source alternative to Windows and Mac OS X.
Easily install beside, or instead of, Windows.

Preparing the installation media

Windows 7/8

USB/Flash Drives

For a GUI (Graphic User Interface) we use UNetBootin.

You can use UNetBootin to download the ISO(image file) for you or have download it though Get Kubuntu.

If you choose the 'Diskimage' option you use the ... button to select your downloaded ISO. Then click OK.

Warning

Pay special attention when selecting the right USB device under 'Drive'

DVD

The recommended tool to use is ImgBurn There is a excellent how-to on the ImgBurn forums by the admin here.

Existing Kubuntu Install

USB/Flash Drives

For a GUI (Graphic User Interface) we use UNetBootin.

Using the command line we use the 'dd' command.

Insert your USB drive into your computer and find out the drive allocated to it using: lsblk
Then format the USB drive with the 'dd' command:
sudo dd if=Downloads/kubuntu-15.04-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdX

Warning

Be extremely careful to set /dev/sdX to the right value, if you point it to your hard drive you will wipe the disk.

DVD

For making a DVD we recommend the awesome KDE tool K3b

Look for More actions..., click it then pick Burn Image... from the list of actions.

Then you select the image (iso) that you want to burn to the DVD from your computer.

Note

Most torrent and browsers store your downloads in the 'Download' directory.

Note

Most of the default setting for K3b for DVD burning are fine.

Other Linux Distributions

GNOME based

USB/Flash Drives

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DVD

KDE based

If your using a Linux Distribution that uses KDE you can follow the Kubuntu instructions as K3b is provided in every KDE based Distro (Distribution).

Install Process

First, you will need to download Kubuntu. See Get Kubuntu

When the installer starts you will see these options:

Try out Kubuntu without changing anything on your computer
Install Kubuntu on your computer.

Prepare

For the best result, ensure that:

Your computer has enough room for Kubuntu and your data - your songs, pictures, videos, and documents.
Your computer is connected to the Internet so that you can download updates and third-party software as Kubuntu is installing.

Include this third-party software includes software that either does not follow the Open Source model or the Ubuntu Philosophy, but is safe for use on your system.

Download updates while installing will ensure that you have the latest bug and security fixes included and applied once the installation is complete.

Disk Setup

This is where you choose how to organize your hard drive. This step is the most complicated and consequential in the entire install process, so take your time.

Tip

You will be able to change your mind and go back until the Install Now button is clicked.

The following sections are some possible installation scenarios you might choose. Each of these choices points to a page or series of pages with more details. For each option (except Manual), the installer asks which hard drive to use. After choosing, you will see a before and after layout on that hard drive.

Resize

This will resize the partitions for you and install Kubuntu on the free space. With this option you can create what is called a dual-boot and choose which OS to boot into at startup.

Note

This is available only if at least 25GB can be freed.

Use entire disk

In this scenario the installer will create two(2) partitions on your hard drive. One(1) for the root, home, and everything else and one(1) for the swap.

Warning

This option will completely erase your hard drive. You will lose any operating systems (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc.) and all your data that is stored on that drive.

Use entire disk and set up LVM

More about LVM

Use entire disk and set up encrypted LVM

More about encrypted file systems

Manual

When using Manual to set up your system as you would like it, keep these thoughts in mind:

The root ( / ) directory needs at least 25 GBs of space.
The home ( /home ) directory needs as much space as you will need for your files, music, pictures and documents. So it is best to use the remaining space for the home partition, unless you have going to dual boot.
Swap space of at least half of the available RAM is recommended. For instance, with 8 GBs, make the swap with at least 4 GBs.

For more detailed information regarding the Disk Setup of a linux system you can check the DiskSpace page.

Timezone

During this step you get to pick the Region where you live and then the Timezone of the location in that Region. An example would be that I live in New York, so my Region is North America and my Timezone is New York.

Keyboard

This is the step that will set up your keyboard's language and, if the language has it, a different version of the language. For example, there is a Cherokee American English setting as well as different setups with special keys used in certain countries; in Kubuntu we try to make the system easy for everyone!

User Info

At this step of the installation you will be putting in user information like your name, username, and password. The password will be your key to logging into your new installation as well as installing new software, updating your system, and more, so keep it written down somewhere!

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