Introduction
Demo Ubuntu. Try Ubuntu without any changes to your machine! Windows or whatever you use normally is unaffected after trying this and then rebooting (in 99.999% of cases).
Almost any Ubuntu Cd can also be used as a LiveCd as well as an installer. It is the default option when booting from Cd. Only some of the non-standard downloads (such as the "Alternate Cd") lack this functionality. Windows users might be familiar with the term 'boot CD' or 'bootable CD'. A "LiveCD" is more than that because it gives the option of running a normal desktop environment with all the normal programs and some extras. A LiveCD usually finds your Internet connection and Firefox should be able to surf the internet into here.
Most distros (versions or "distributions" of Linux) have this LiveCd functionality on their installer CD, a few have a separate Cd to download. It is rare to find a distro that has no LiveCd session at all. Ubuntu tries to make their LiveCD the easiest to use.
This guide has screen-shots of the 8.04 Desktop Edition of Ubuntu. However; 10.04s, Ubuntu Netbook Remix, Xubuntu, Kubuntu and even unofficial Ubuntu-based distros as well as other versions all tend to have almost identical screens & menus.
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 to the hard-drive. Cd-drives & Dvd-drives tend to be physically slower than hard drives.
You can use a persistent image to keep data & settings safe after shut-down. This does go against many reasons for using a LiveCd session (rather than an install) but it can be useful for multi-user machines, such as offices or in third world education projects.
Reasons for Using a LiveCD Session
LiveCD sessions are good to:
- 'demo' session on a machine before installing or upgrading
- checks hardware works as expected
check the look & feel of the distro
- repair or preparation for awkward installs
repair/replace/install grub perhaps after (re)installing Windows
fixing Windows problems on a machine that doesn't have a dual-boot
anti-virus problems on a Windows system
resizing partitions to give Ubuntu more (or less) room
adding a new partition(s) to your hard-drive for other distros or for a new Windows
- preparing a machine for installing Ubuntu, if you are shy of using default or automatic settings or if the hardware is too unique or awkward
- 'showing off' Ubuntu to people on their own machine
- using on a random computer where access is limited
- a familiar desktop environment on an unfamiliar machine
safely using a computer which seems to have poor security or lacks privacy.
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 create, buy or request an Ubuntu CD or Usb-stick. Once you have an Ubuntu Cd or Usb it should work as an installer and as a !LiveCD or LiveUsb. There are some downloads, such as the Alternate Cd that cannot be used as !LiveCd/Usb.
To create a !LiveCd/Usb yourself
Download Ubuntu.
then making your own CD. Cheap "write once" CDs in packs of 10 or more are usually best - you might want to burn a new CD at least once every 6 months to get the latest version but all version are supported for 18 months, LTS of 3 years. 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.
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).
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.
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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.
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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).
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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.