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Get Started with Ubuntu

Posted on Apr 10 in Tech Stuffby ApplePrintText Resizer Text Resizer

 

I have always wanted to learn using Ubuntu Linux. After I ordered and received the free Ubuntu Live CD (version 7.04), I tried to install it to my laptop but somehow I did something wrong and nearly ruined everything. After that, I put Ubuntu aside and never touch it again (except when something wrong happen to the computer which runs on Ubuntu in the office).

Until recently, I feel the urge to set a path for Ubuntu in my learning process. So last week, I installed Ubuntu 7.04 to my BenQ Joybook A32 laptop. Installation is always easy and few clicks away, but have to be careful on the hard disk partition especially when you want to have dual OS (Windows and Linux) in your computer.

Choose “Start or install Ubuntu” after booting the Live CD to install Ubuntu

Getting really excited as I know for sure this time, I will learn something new.

After the above screen, you will see the orange theme. (maybe that’s one of the reason I like to use Ubuntu? :P ) Double click on the “Install” icon on the desktop. Follow the instructions and answer few questions and you are ready to start using Ubuntu.

After installation and once you restart your computer, the GRUB menu will be shown. If you have two OS, then from here you can select which one to use.

I really like the clean look of Ubuntu. And here is how my desktop look like.

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I tried to view my blog with Firefox in Ubuntu, it turn out to look fine.

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Here are a few things that you might want to do after installing Ubuntu. I’d been searching for answers in the web and here is the solution for some problems that I encountered. Hope it may help those who have the same problem.

Disable Login Screen / Enable Auto Login

Since only me myself will be accessing to my laptop, enable the auto login feature will be a nice choice.

To enable this, go to System > Adminstration > Login Window (may require password)

Under Security tab, check Enable Automatic Login and choose the User.

Screen Resolution

Since BenQ Jobyook A32 comes with a 1280 x 800 native resolution, the Ubuntu interface is stretched and looks really ugly. Unlike Windows where you can easily install the driver, in Ubuntu, you have to (most likely) use the xserver. This is what I did:

Go to Applications > Accessories > Terminal, and type the following command:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Press enter, and you may be prompt for password. Then continue type the following command:
sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Press enter again and type another command to install the fitting resolution.
sudo apt-get install 915resolution

Press Ctrl + Alt + Backspace to restart X and you’re done. Now you can choose the resolution of your choice.

Setting Windows XP as default OS
I made my laptop to support dual boot, so that I can switch to use the OS of my choice at anytime. However, I still set Windows XP as my default OS, so I don’t have to keep choosing Windows XP to boot at the GRUB menu.

So, again go to the Terminal and type the following command:
sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

Press enter and you will see lots of codes, look for “default”. The initially value is 0, which means the first choice of the grub array menu. In Ubuntu version 7.04, Windows XP will be the value 4, but after updating to 7.10, the value will become 6. Well, it really depends on the order in the GRUB menu.

P/S: It’s 14 days more (by the time I write this), before the new version Ubuntu 8.04 is released.

Entry Details: This entry was posted on Thursday, April 10th, 2008 at 10:25 am, by Apple, and is filed under Tech Stuff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Print This!

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