|
Size: 12794
Comment: Added comment that Alternate CDs can't go live
|
Size: 9439
Comment: Tidied up Tom's good work
|
| Deletions are marked like this. | Additions are marked like this. |
| Line 5: | Line 5: |
| Almost any Ubuntu CD can also be used as a LiveCD as well as an installer. Only the Alternate Images and sometimes the UNR lack this functionality. [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows | 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. | Almost any Ubuntu CD can also be used as a LiveCD as well as an installer. Only the Alternate Images and sometimes the UNR lack this functionality. [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows | Windows people]] might be familiar with the term 'boot CD' or 'bootable CD' - a "LiveCD session" is more than a boot CD, because you get a normal desktop environment with all the normal programs. A live CD should even find your Internet connection and let you surf the Internet with Firefox. |
| Line 7: | Line 7: |
| [[http://distrowatch.com | Most other versions of linux]] (distros), not just Ubuntu, have this functionality on their installer CD too. With most other distros you have to click 2 or 3 buttons to configure the network connection - not quite as easy as Ubuntu :) | [[http://distrowatch.com | Most versions ("distributions") of Linux]] have this functionality on their installer CD, although Ubuntu tries to make their live CD the easiest to use. |
| Line 9: | Line 9: |
| CD/DVD-drives tend to be a lot slower at reading data than hard-drives., so although a LiveCD session is a good way to demo Ubuntu to see how it works ''without making changes to this machine'', a LiveCD will always be slower than a proper install running from a hard-drive. If you want to keep your settings when you restart your LiveCD, you can use a [[https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD/Persistence | persistant image]]. | Although a LiveCD session is a good way to demo Ubuntu ''without making changes to a machine'', a LiveCD will always be slower than a proper install running from a hard-drive, because a CD will always be physically slower than a hard drive. If you want to keep your settings when you restart your LiveCD, you can use a [[/Persistence | persistant image]]. |
| Line 13: | Line 13: |
| LiveCD sessions are good to use for: | LiveCD sessions are good for: |
| Line 15: | Line 15: |
| * 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 |
* checking the hardware works as expected * seeing if you like the look & feel of the distro * preparing yourself and your unique hardware if required * repair tasks such as |
| Line 25: | Line 25: |
| * preparing a machine for installing Ubuntu onto if you are shy of using default or automatic settings | * preparing a machine for installing Ubuntu, if you are shy of using default or automatic settings |
| Line 27: | Line 27: |
| * on any random computer where access is limited * 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 '[[#persistant-image | persistent image]]') |
* using on a random computer where access is limited * safely using a computer which you don't trust the security of.<<BR>> This is particularly good if you have a usb stick or something to save your data and settings on (see '[[/Persistence | persistent image]]') |
| Line 31: | Line 32: |
| == Other Trial Versions of Ubuntu == | == Other Ways to install Ubuntu == |
| Line 33: | Line 34: |
| For another way of 'trying out' or having a longer demo of Ubuntu it might be worth considering installing Ubuntu inside Windows using the Wubi installer (see [[Wubi]] or [[Ubuntu:WubiGuide]]). | LiveCDs are designed for people that want to use Linux on a computer for a few hours. If you want to carry a LiveCD around with you, a [[/Persistence | persistent image]] lets you customise your live session. If you want to use Linux on a computer for a few months, [[Wubi]] lets you install Ubuntu inside Windows. If you want to use Linux on a computer permanently, [[WindowsDualBoot|dual-booting]] lets you install Window and Ubuntu side-by-side on the same computer. |
| Line 35: | Line 36: |
| Although Wubi works well on many machines, and some people have kept it working for a few years, it is not designed for long-term use. I would tend to use LiveCD sessions with a [[#persistent-image | persistent image]] rather than Wubi, although Wubi is much faster. Since it depends on Windows systems to work properly, Wubi is a bit like building a house on shifting sands. Uninstalling Wubi and removing all traces of it is tough. I find a proper full [[WindowsDualBoot | dual-boot]] is much easier to set-up and also to remove. A proper dual-boot is more robust than Wubi as it uses linux file-systems such as ext3 or ext4 and the linux boot-loaders such as [[GrubHowto | Grub]] or [[Glossary#L | Lilo]] <<BR>> WindowsDualBoot |
Because Wubi needs Windows and Ubuntu to co-operate, you have to deal with all the problems of both systems. For example, it's not easy to completely uninstall Wubi. An experienced linux user or someone with considerable technical knowledge about Windows might find it better to try Wubi in some certain circumstances where dual-booting is infeasible or inadvisable. See [[Ubuntu:WubiGuide|the Wubi guide]] for more information about Wubi. |
| Line 38: | Line 38: |
| Many Linux users have a dual-boot, usually with Windows in the mix somewhere. [[WikiPedia:Dual-boot|Multi-boot]] systems are usually still called dual-boot even if they have far more than 2 OS's to choose from. Installing Windows is a very tough challenge so it's better to avoid wiping it even if you find you have not used it in years. An experienced linux user or someone with considerable technical knowledge about Windows might find it better to try Wubi in some certain circumstances where a proper full install of Ubuntu is infeasible or inadvisable. |
[[WindowsDualBoot|Dual-booting]] can be daunting at first, but tends to work better once you've got it set up. As you get more comfortable with Ubuntu, you can just forget about your Windows partition. Reinstalling Windows in a dual boot environment is quite tricky, so it's best to leave your Windows partition in place unless you're absolutely sure you'll never use Windows again. |
| Line 43: | Line 42: |
| == Preparation == | == Preparing your LiveCD == |
| Line 45: | Line 44: |
| You need an Ubuntu CD although it's also possible to get a "LiveUSB session" from a USB stick. This is often also referred to as a "LiveCD session" because it does offer much the same functionality, perhaps a little more. | You need to request or create an Ubuntu CD. Once you've created a live CD, you can make a [[Installation/FromUSBStick#live-usb|live USB]] memory stick if you prefer. |
| Line 47: | Line 46: |
| To get a free official CD (or several), use the [[https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ | Shipit service]], which can take 12 weeks. It is always nice to have a free official CD, or a few to give away - selling them is not really allowed, although you are allowed to recoup costs incurred and to charge for technical support if you help install Ubuntu or other distro. Read through the [[http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html | GPL licence]] for further info. [[WikiPedia:GNU_General_Public_License]] | To get a free official CD (or several), use the [[https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ | Shipit service]], which can take 12 weeks. It is always nice to have a free official CD, or a few to give away (selling them isn't really allowed). |
| Line 49: | Line 48: |
| You can also get Ubuntu by [[http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download | downloading]] it and then [[BurningIsoHowto | making your own CD]], rather than (or in addition to) using [[https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ | Shipit]]. I tend to find the cheapest "write once" CDs that can only usually be bought in packets of 10 or more - cheap CDs are much better for this. DVDs tend to be really rubbish for this. Low 'burn' speeds are better. | You can also get Ubuntu by [[http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download | downloading]] the Desktop Edition of Ubuntu, then [[BurningIsoHowto | making your own CD]]. Cheap "write once" CDs in packs of 10 or more are usually best - you'll want to burn a new CD at least once every 6 months, when new versions of Ubuntu are released. It's best to avoid DVDs, which are more expensive and fragile, and less likely to boot in older computers. You should burn your CD at the lowest speed possible, to make sure the CD is created correctly. See [[GettingUbuntu]] for more information about getting a live CD. |
| Line 51: | Line 50: |
| Another guide to help is GettingUbuntu if any of this is being awkward for you. Don't worry. These things are seldom easy first time, but once you have done this once or twice, it's really very easy most of the time. | == Using your LiveCD == |
| Line 53: | Line 52: |
== The How-To == Put the Ubuntu CD into the CD/DVD-drive and reboot the computer. This should 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: [[BootFromCD | Booting From the CD]]. |
Put the Ubuntu CD into the CD/DVD-drive and reboot the computer. You should see a menu with "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" at the top. If you don't get this menu, read the [[BootFromCD | booting From the CD]] guide for more information. |
| Line 63: | Line 59: |
| Choosing "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" should get you to a working desktop which we call a "LiveCD session". Exploring the BootOptions should help if you have troubles getting the working desktop but if it is still not behaving then try asking for help in [[https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+addquestion | Launchpad]] or use [[https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Signpost | Signpost Help]], or both. | Choose "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer". You should get a desktop which we call a "LiveCD session". If you don't see a desktop, read the [[BootOptions|boot options]] for more information. |
| Line 67: | Line 63: |
| The Firefox icon on the top panel should let you surf the internet. Other normal programs are available in the menus. | |
| Line 68: | Line 65: |
| Note that Ubuntu's Server Edition works quite differently in that it doesn't have a gui desktop so its LiveCD gets you to a working command-line rather than a working desktop - some other [[http://distrowatch.com | distros]] also run from the command-line rather than having a desktop. Anyway, from most Ubuntu 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 have finished, 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. This means that there won't be any trace of your personal data (e-mails, passwords etc.) left on the machine, which can be quite useful if you don't trust the Windows installation on the computer. |
| Line 70: | Line 67: |
| After you have finished, 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. | If you have troubles getting the working desktop but if it is still not behaving then try asking for help in [[https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+addquestion | Launchpad]] or use [[Signpost | Signpost Help]], or both. |
| Line 72: | Line 69: |
| 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 and other monitoring systems. | |
| Line 76: | Line 72: |
| Note that while the LiveCD doesn't give much space it is possible to install programs to a LiveCD session although these will be forgotten as soon as you switch the machine off. Still it can be handy for a few things such as installing and using an [[Antivirus | antivirus]] to deal with a Windows hard-drive without booting into that hard-drive, or for installing [[DataRecovery | data-recovery]] tools again without touching the hard-drive. Generally [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows | Windows]], [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX | Mac/Apple]] or perhaps even other [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromLinux | Linux]] users might appreciate help from this guide: [[SynapticHowto|The Synaptic How-To]] While some packages, updates and things can be installed it is worth keeping this to a minimum unless you use a persistent image, even then you might want to show some restraint in order to keep more space free for your own use (rather than the OS's). <<Anchor(persistant-image)>> == Persistent Image, keeping your settings == If you want to save your LiveCD session to a USB stick, check [[LiveCDPersistence]]. A persistent image can give more space for installing packages and saving data. It also means programs and data don't get forgotten as soon as you shut down the machine :) |
You can install programs to a LiveCD session in the [[InstallingSoftware|normal way]], although these will be forgotten as soon as you switch the machine off. For example, you might install [[Antivirus | antivirus]] or [[DataRecovery | data-recovery]] tools to fix the system installed on the computer's hard drive. Because space is limited on a LiveCD, you should limit the number of packages you install or consider using a [[/Persistence|persistent image]]. |
| Line 101: | Line 88: |
| While linux systems are more secure than Windows it is worth noting that LiveCD sessions are not meant for long-term use nor for long sessions lasting for days. [[Antivirus|Antivirus]] |
While linux systems are more secure than Windows, LiveCD sessions are not meant for long-term use nor for sessions lasting several days. Because LiveCDs can't easily be updated, they may well be vulnerable to security issues discovered in the months since their release. They also can't protect you against scams such as [[WikiPedia:Phishing|phishing]]. If a criminal broke in to your live session, any changes he made to your session would be reset along with everything else when you reboot, although he could make permanent changes to the computer's hard drive. |
| Line 104: | Line 90: |
| It is not a good idea to update a normal LiveCD session, because it will quickly run out of space. This means that known issues, exploits and vulnerabilities that are usually quickly patched in linux will be left open on the LiveCD. Also running a LiveCD session still leaves you vulnerable to phishing and also may allow a variety of attacks against your network or allow your machine to be used as a launch-place for a variety of attacks on other systems either on your network or externally. There are other security threats which i don't fully understand although some comments near the end of [[http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20090803&mode=67|this DistroWatch article]] and at the beginning of [[http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20090810&mode=67|this DistroWatch article]] might explain some things. Mostly this will not be a problem because the OS and programs cannot be so easily subverted because the CD cannot be written to, a LiveUSB or use of a persistent image removes this protection but does allow updates to be applied. Anyway, as you have seen from the [[Antivirus | Antivirus link]] it is very rare for linux to suffer from security issues due to inherent design. Also there is no anti-malware industry depending on security flaws in order to generate income streams. While such problems might be incredibly rare and non-existent except in theoretical terms (especially in the Ubuntu LiveCD as opposed to most other distros LiveCD) it is worth being aware that there are issues to consider. A [[#persistent-image | persistent image]] removes a lot of the advantages of running a LiveCD session but does add back a lot more, especially in giving more space to allow for all the normal updates to be applied. |
A [[/Persistence | persistent image]] can be updated as new security issues emerge, but also lets any damage done to your computer persist across sessions. |
| Line 124: | Line 105: |
Introduction
Almost any Ubuntu CD can also be used as a LiveCD as well as an installer. Only the Alternate Images and sometimes the UNR lack this functionality. Windows people might be familiar with the term 'boot CD' or 'bootable CD' - a "LiveCD session" is more than a boot CD, because you get a normal desktop environment with all the normal programs. A live CD should even find your Internet connection and let you surf the Internet with Firefox.
Most versions ("distributions") of Linux have this functionality on their installer CD, although Ubuntu tries to make their live CD the easiest to use.
Although a LiveCD session is a good way to demo Ubuntu without making changes to a machine, a LiveCD will always be slower than a proper install running from a hard-drive, because a CD will always be physically slower than a hard drive. If you want to keep your settings when you restart your LiveCD, you can use a persistant image.
Reasons for Using a LiveCD Session
LiveCD sessions are good for:
- a quick 'demo' on a machine before installing/upgrading Ubuntu
- checking the hardware works as expected
seeing if you like the look & feel of the distro
- preparing yourself and your unique hardware if required
- repair tasks such as
repairing grub perhaps after (re)installing Windows
fixing Windows problems on a machine that doesn't have a dual-boot
anti-virus issues
resizing partitions to give Ubuntu more (or less) room
adding a new partition(s) to your hard-drive for other distros
- preparing a machine for installing Ubuntu, if you are shy of using default or automatic settings
- 'showing off' Ubuntu to people on their own machine
- using on a random computer where access is limited
safely using a computer which you don't trust the security of.
This is particularly good if you have a usb stick or something to save your data and settings on (see 'persistent image')
Other Ways to install Ubuntu
LiveCDs are designed for people that want to use Linux on a computer for a few hours. If you want to carry a LiveCD around with you, a persistent image lets you customise your live session. If you want to use Linux on a computer for a few months, Wubi lets you install Ubuntu inside Windows. If you want to use Linux on a computer permanently, dual-booting lets you install Window and Ubuntu side-by-side on the same computer.
Because Wubi needs Windows and Ubuntu to co-operate, you have to deal with all the problems of both systems. For example, it's not easy to completely uninstall Wubi. An experienced linux user or someone with considerable technical knowledge about Windows might find it better to try Wubi in some certain circumstances where dual-booting is infeasible or inadvisable. See the Wubi guide for more information about Wubi.
Dual-booting can be daunting at first, but tends to work better once you've got it set up. As you get more comfortable with Ubuntu, you can just forget about your Windows partition. Reinstalling Windows in a dual boot environment is quite tricky, so it's best to leave your Windows partition in place unless you're absolutely sure you'll never use Windows again.
How-To LiveCD Ubuntu
Preparing your LiveCD
You need to request or create an Ubuntu CD. Once you've created a live CD, you can make a live USB memory stick if you prefer.
To get a free official CD (or several), use the Shipit service, which can take 12 weeks. It is always nice to have a free official CD, or a few to give away (selling them isn't really allowed).
You can also get Ubuntu by downloading the Desktop Edition of Ubuntu, then making your own CD. Cheap "write once" CDs in packs of 10 or more are usually best - you'll want to burn a new CD at least once every 6 months, when new versions of Ubuntu are released. It's best to avoid DVDs, which are more expensive and fragile, and less likely to boot in older computers. You should burn your CD at the lowest speed possible, to make sure the CD is created correctly. See GettingUbuntu for more information about getting a live CD.
Using your LiveCD
Put the Ubuntu CD into the CD/DVD-drive and reboot the computer. You should see a menu with "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" at the top. If you don't get this menu, read the booting From the CD guide for more information.
|
|
Choose "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer". You should get a desktop which we call a "LiveCD session". If you don't see a desktop, read the boot options for more information.
|
The Firefox icon on the top panel should let you surf the internet. Other normal programs are available in the menus.
After you have finished, 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. This means that there won't be any trace of your personal data (e-mails, passwords etc.) left on the machine, which can be quite useful if you don't trust the Windows installation on the computer.
If you have troubles getting the working desktop but if it is still not behaving then try asking for help in Launchpad or use Signpost Help, or both.
Installing Programs or Other Packages
You can install programs to a LiveCD session in the normal way, although these will be forgotten as soon as you switch the machine off. For example, you might install antivirus or data-recovery tools to fix the system installed on the computer's hard drive. Because space is limited on a LiveCD, you should limit the number of packages you install or consider using a persistent image.
Making a Customised LiveCD
If you want to make custom Ubuntu-based Live CD, you should read the LiveCD Customisation HowTo. Without even starting from an existing Ubuntu CD you can make a customised live system, see LiveCD Customisation From Scratch.
Troubles with a LiveCD
Logging in
Sometimes a LiveCD might ask you for a user-name or password. Just leave these blank and press enter (or allow it to time-out).
|
Security and Updating
While linux systems are more secure than Windows, LiveCD sessions are not meant for long-term use nor for sessions lasting several days. Because LiveCDs can't easily be updated, they may well be vulnerable to security issues discovered in the months since their release. They also can't protect you against scams such as phishing. If a criminal broke in to your live session, any changes he made to your session would be reset along with everything else when you reboot, although he could make permanent changes to the computer's hard drive.
A persistent image can be updated as new security issues emerge, but also lets any damage done to your computer persist across sessions.
Setting a Password
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.