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| Ubuntu LiveCDs let you run Ubuntu from a CD-ROM without needing to be installed permanently. They make a great tool to test hardware, do system recovery or show new people Ubuntu. See the [[GettingUbuntu|Getting Ubuntu]] page for details about downloading the LiveCD. | Any Ubuntu Cd can also be used as a LiveCd as well as an installer Cd to get a fairly normal working session of Ubuntu. Most other versions of linux (distros), not just Ubuntu, have this functionality on their installer Cd too. http://distrowatch.com Windows people might be more familiar with the term 'boot cd' or 'bootable cd' but a Live Cd session is typically much more useful because it gives a normal desktop environment and all the normal programs. A LiveCD session is slower than a proper install running from a hard-drive because the Cd/Dvd-drive is usually a lot slower at read/writes and it's also hard to keep settings between sessions, but see 'persistent image' later. == Reasons for Using a LiveCd Session == LiveCd sessions are good to use for; * a quick 'demo' on a machine before installing/upgrading Ubuntu * to check the hardware works as expected * to see if you like the look & feel of the distro * to prepare yourself & your unique hardware if required * various repair tasks such as * repairing grub after (re)installing Windows as part of a dual-boot * resizing partitions to give Ubuntu more (or less) room * adding a new partition(s) to your hard-drive for other distros * 'showing off' Ubuntu to people on their own machine * a safer and faster way of surfing the internet or even other uses of a machine that isn't your own. This is particularly good if you have a usb stick or something to save your data and settings on (see 'persistent image') |
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| See the [[GettingUbuntu|Getting Ubuntu]] page for details about downloading the LiveCD. |
Introduction
Any Ubuntu Cd can also be used as a LiveCd as well as an installer Cd to get a fairly normal working session of Ubuntu. Most other versions of linux (distros), not just Ubuntu, have this functionality on their installer Cd too. http://distrowatch.com
Windows people might be more familiar with the term 'boot cd' or 'bootable cd' but a Live Cd session is typically much more useful because it gives a normal desktop environment and all the normal programs.
A LiveCD session is slower than a proper install running from a hard-drive because the Cd/Dvd-drive is usually a lot slower at read/writes and it's also hard to keep settings between sessions, but see 'persistent image' later.
Reasons for Using a LiveCd Session
LiveCd sessions are good to use for;
- a quick 'demo' on a machine before installing/upgrading Ubuntu
- to check the hardware works as expected
to see if you like the look & feel of the distro
to prepare yourself & your unique hardware if required
- various repair tasks such as
- repairing grub after (re)installing Windows as part of a dual-boot
- resizing partitions to give Ubuntu more (or less) room
- adding a new partition(s) to your hard-drive for other distros
- 'showing off' Ubuntu to people on their own machine
- a safer and faster way of surfing the internet or even other uses of a machine that isn't your own. This is particularly good if you have a usb stick or something to save your data and settings on (see 'persistent image')
Using the LiveCD
See the Getting Ubuntu page for details about downloading the LiveCD. After you get your CD, pop it into any computer and reboot the computer. Ubuntu will load. After you are done, shut the computer down and remove the CD.
Keeping your LiveCD settings
If you want to save your LiveCD session to a USB stick, check LiveCDPersistence
Making a customised LiveCD
If you want to make custom Ubuntu-based Live CD, you should read the LiveCD Customization Howto.
To create a customized live system without starting from an existing Ubuntu CD, see LiveCD Customization From Scratch.
Common issues with a LiveCD
Logging in
You can set a password during a LiveCD session by opening a terminal, and typing in:
$ sudo passwd ubuntu
Text-Mode installation
If your normal installation fails without giving an error message, or if you want to install on a very limited system, you can use the text-based installer instead.