MRC/Tutorials/Installing Ubuntu: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 08:50, 31 January 2025

Ubuntu is an operating system, much like windows and MacOS. It is what makes a computer usable. Running a different operating system is like using a different computer altogether. In this course we recommend using a virtual machine to run ubuntu.

On your laptop, download virtualbox from their website:

<https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads>

run the installer, and follow the instructions.

Virtualbox is the program that will create and run our virtual machine. A virtual machine is best seen as a piece of software that behaves as a virtual computer, which will thus allow us to install (and use) Ubuntu within windows.

After installing virtualbox, make sure you download a copy of the desktop image of Ubuntu to a folder on your windows machine:

<https://releases.ubuntu.com/20.04/>

Setting up your virtual machine

Start creating your VM by opening virtualbox and selecting the blue star-like icon labeled "New".

In the menu that pops up you will see four tabs. Under the "Name and Operating System" you can give your VM a descriptive name. You can leave the Machine Folder at its default value. Select the ubuntu image you downloaded in the previous step. Make sure you select the proper type and version in the dropdowns below. The Type should be set to Linux, the Version should be set to Ubuntu (64-bit). Also check the box to skip unattended installation.
We dont need to do anything in the tab "Unattended Install", after all we chose to skip it.
In the tab "Hardware" you can choose the Memory Size. Select the amount of memory available to your VM. Make sure you select a value greater than 4096 MB. While making your selection, make sure you stay within the green boundary indicated underneath the slider. Select the amount of processors available to your VM, depending on the hardware of your PC. Generally, more is better.
In the tab "Hard Disk", select "Create a virutal Hard Disk Now". Select the size and location of your virtual hard disk. It is recommended to allocate at least 40 GB, however, more is generally better. Make sure you have enough disk space at the specified location. You may want to move your virtual disk to a different physical drive. Select VDI. for the File Type.
Click finish.

To finish the configuration of your VM take the following steps:

Right click on your VM
Select settings, indicated by an orange cog, in the context menu
Go to Display in the sidebar
Set the amount of Video Memory to (at least) 64 MB
Go to Network in the sidebar
set "Attached to" to Bridged Adapter. Under Name select your wireless connection. e.g. Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz

Confirm your changes by clicking OK.

Installing Ubuntu

Start your VM by clicking Start. The VM will boot to the installation screen. Make sure you follow the instructions to install Ubuntu.

When prompted you can select Erase disk and install Ubuntu without affecting your windows install since you are working on a virtual disk.

Post-install configuration

When you are done installing Ubuntu, you reach the Ubuntu login screen and will be prompted to type in your password. Login to reach the Ubuntu desktop.

After login you will be prompted to perform some final configuration, like logging in to your Online Accounts. Configure these settings if you like, you can also skip them.

When promted to upgrade to a newer version of Ubuntu. Choose **Don't Upgrade**.

When promted to install updated software, choose "Install Now". This can also be done later by typing the following command into the terminal:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

After configuration, we need to do a few final steps:

In the taskbar of VirtualBox click devices
Click Insert Guest Additions CD image
On the menu that appears within Ubuntu click Run, and type your password.
Reboot your virtual machine.
Set the size of the window of your virtual machine by right clicking on the desktop and selecting display options. Choose the resolution that matches your monitor.

Please note that sometimes the approach above fails at step 3. In that case type the following command in a terminal and press enter. You can skip step 3

sudo apt-get install virtualbox-guest-additions-iso

You've now successfully installed Ubuntu. To check that everything has gone according to plan, go to your desktop. When you haven't changed your wallpaper, it should show you a picture that looks like a leopard. If you see a picture of a jellyfish or a beaver (or anything else) you've installed the incorrect version. We ask you kindly to reinstall the correct version of ubuntu (20.04).

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Installing Ubuntu =
+Ubuntu is an operating system, much like windows and MacOS. It is what makes a computer usable. Running a different operating system is like using a different computer altogether. In this course we recommend using a virtual machine to run ubuntu.
-Download Ubuntu 14.04:
+On your laptop, download virtualbox from their website:
-* [http://releases.ubuntu.com/14.04/ubuntu-14.04.2-desktop-i386.iso 32-bit]
+<https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads>
-* [http://releases.ubuntu.com/14.04/ubuntu-14.04.2-desktop-amd64.iso 64-bit]
-Then go to [http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows this page] and follow the instructions to create a bootable USB stick. Reboot your computer with the newly created USB stick, and install Ubuntu. If you want to keep using Windows next to Ubuntu the most easy way is to have a dual-boot system, i.e., during startup you can choose to boot either Ubuntu or Windows. Of course you can also bring your notebook to the ICT servicedesk and ask them to install Ubuntu (but mention that you need version '''14.04''').
+run the installer, and follow the instructions.
-== Troubleshoot ==
+Virtualbox is the program that will create and run our virtual machine. A virtual machine is best seen as a piece of software that behaves as a virtual computer, which will thus allow us to install (and use) Ubuntu within windows.
-'''Nothing happens when I reboot with the USB drive'''
+After installing virtualbox, make sure you download a copy of the desktop image of Ubuntu to a folder on your windows machine:
-When rebooting your computer with the USB stick it may be the case that booting from your hard drive or SSD is preferred over booting from the USB drive, and the Ubuntu installation doesn't start. In that case, try rebooting again, and now try to enter the ''BIOS'' or watch out for a ''Boot order'' menu. Often, you have to press keys during start-up such as F12 or DEL. Once you found the boot order menu, make sure the USB drive has priority over your normal drive, and restart.
+<https://releases.ubuntu.com/20.04/>
-= The Ubuntu Terminal =
+===Setting up your virtual machine===
-Most of your interaction with Ubuntu will be done through the terminal, the number-one way of interacting with Ubuntu using your keyboard. A terminal can be started by pressing ''ctrl-alt-t''. <!-- It might be a good idea to drag the terminal icon in the menu to the Ubuntu panel, as you will be using it a lot. -->
+Start creating your VM by opening virtualbox and selecting the blue star-like icon labeled "New".
-Although the terminal commands may seem somewhat puzzling at first, you'll soon find out that the terminal is a nifty tool and allows for faster and more powerful access to all of Ubuntu's possibilities than the graphical interface and mouse. If you don't know your way around the terminal, have a look at [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal this page].
+# In the menu that pops up you will see four tabs. Under the "Name and Operating System" you can give your VM a descriptive name. You can leave the Machine Folder at its default value. Select the ubuntu image you downloaded in the previous step. Make sure you select the proper type and version in the dropdowns below. The Type should be set to Linux, the Version should be set to Ubuntu (64-bit). Also '''check the box to skip unattended installation'''.
+# We dont need to do anything in the tab "Unattended Install", after all we chose to skip it.
+# In the tab "Hardware" you can choose the Memory Size. Select the amount of memory available to your VM. Make sure you select a value greater than 4096 MB. While making your selection, make sure you stay within the green boundary indicated underneath the slider. Select the amount of processors available to your VM, depending on the hardware of your PC. Generally, more is better.
+# In the tab "Hard Disk", select "Create a virutal Hard Disk Now". Select the size and location of your virtual hard disk. It is recommended to allocate at least 40 GB, however, more is generally better. Make sure you have enough disk space at the specified location. You may want to move your virtual disk to a different physical drive. Select VDI. for the File Type.
+# Click finish.
+To finish the configuration of your VM take the following steps:
-Ubuntu is already pretty great out-of-the-box, but some [[Embedded Motion Control/Tutorials/Customizing Ubuntu | customizations will make your Ubuntu experience even better]].
+# Right click on your VM
+# Select settings, indicated by an orange cog, in the context menu
+# Go to Display in the sidebar
+# Set the amount of Video Memory to (at least) 64 MB
+# Go to Network in the sidebar
+# set "Attached to" to Bridged Adapter. Under Name select your wireless connection. e.g. Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz
+Confirm your changes by clicking OK.
+===Installing Ubuntu ===
+Start your VM by clicking Start. The VM will boot to the installation screen. Make sure you follow the instructions to install Ubuntu.<blockquote>When prompted you can select Erase disk and install Ubuntu without affecting your windows install since you are working on a virtual disk.</blockquote>
+===Post-install configuration===
+When you are done installing Ubuntu, you reach the Ubuntu login screen and will be prompted to type in your password. Login to reach the Ubuntu desktop.
+After login you will be prompted to perform some final configuration, like logging in to your Online Accounts. Configure these settings if you like, you can also skip them.
+When promted to upgrade to a newer version of Ubuntu. Choose **Don't Upgrade**.
+When promted to install updated software, choose "Install Now". This can also be done later by typing the following command into the terminal:<blockquote>sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade</blockquote>After configuration, we need to do a few final steps:
+# In the taskbar of VirtualBox click devices
+# Click Insert Guest Additions CD image
+# On the menu that appears within Ubuntu click Run, and type your password.
+# Reboot your virtual machine.
+# Set the size of the window of your virtual machine by right clicking on the desktop and selecting display options. Choose the resolution that matches your monitor.
+Please note that sometimes the approach above fails at step 3. In that case type the following command in a terminal and press enter. You can skip step 3<blockquote>sudo apt-get install virtualbox-guest-additions-iso</blockquote>You've now successfully installed Ubuntu. To check that everything has gone according to plan, go to your desktop. When you haven't changed your wallpaper, it should show you a picture that looks like a leopard. If you see a picture of a jellyfish or a beaver (or anything else) you've installed the incorrect version. We ask you kindly to reinstall the correct version of ubuntu (20.04).

MRC/Tutorials/Installing Ubuntu: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 08:50, 31 January 2025

Setting up your virtual machine

Installing Ubuntu

Post-install configuration

Navigation menu

Search