Introduction

Any Ubuntu Cd can also be used as a LiveCd as well as an installer. Windows people might be more familiar with the term 'boot cd' or 'bootable cd' but a "LiveCd session" is typically much more useful because it gives a normal desktop environment and all the normal programs - it should find the machine's internet connection and allow you to use Firefox from the top panel/taskbar to surf the internet.

Most other versions of linux (distros), not just Ubuntu, have this functionality on their installer Cd too. With most other distros you usually have to click 2 or 3 buttons to configure the network connection so it tends to be fairly easy but not as easy as Ubuntu http://distrowatch.com

While a LiveCd session is a good way to demo Ubuntu to see how it works "without making changes to this machine" it is slower than a full proper install running from a hard-drive. The reason is because the Cd/Dvd-drive is usually a lot slower at read/writes. LiveCd sessions can also be tricky to keep data and settings between sessions but you can always use a 'persistent image', perhaps on a usb-stick - see 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')

Preparation

You need an Ubuntu Cd although it's also possible to get a "LiveUsb session" from a Usb stick and this is often also referred to as a "LiveCd session" because it does offer much the same functionality, perhaps a little more. To get an Ubuntu Cd either use the Shipit service which can can 12 weeks (but it's always nice to have a free official Cd) https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ and/or download it from http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download and make a cd of it. I tend to find the cheapest "write once" Cds that can only usually be bought in packets of 10 or more are much better for this than more expensive cds. Dvd's tend to be really rubbish for this. Here's a guide to help if that's being awkward https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

Another guide to help if any of this is being awkward for you - see the Getting Ubuntu page for details about downloading the LiveCD.

Using the LiveCD

So, put the Ubuntu Cd into the cd/dvd-drive and reboot the computer. This should hopefully get you to a menu with "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" as the top, default, option. If you don't get this menu then this guide should be able to help https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootFromCD

Choosing the "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" should get you to a working desktop which we call a "LiveCd session". If you have troubles getting the working desktop then this guide should have something helpful https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions Note that Server Edition works quite differently in that it doesn't have a gui desktop.

Anyway, from most LiveCd sessions Firefox on the top panel/taskbar should easily surf the internet and of course almost all the other normal programs are in the menu's along with one or two more.

After you are done, shut the computer down and remove the CD. At this point anything you saved to the desktop or Documents folders and such will vanish - only things you saved into folders on the hard-drive will remain.

One reason why a LiveCd session is so useful on machines that don't belong to you is that none of your personal data nor emails nor traces of financial transactions remains on the machine. There will only be traces of on-line activity at the isp, router, server or other monitoring system level.

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.

Without even starting from an existing Ubuntu Cd you can make a customized live system, see LiveCD Customization From Scratch.

Common issues with a LiveCd

Logging in

Sometimes a LiveCd might ask you for a username or password. Just leaving these entry lines blank and pressing enter (or allowing it to time-out) should get you past this step without troubles.

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.

See also

• CdDvd

• Common problems booting from the CD

CategoryLive