vegetarianshrimp
January 3rd, 2009, 09:58 PM
If you are tired of having a Dell version of Ubuntu on your Mini 9, or if you can't upgrade to 8.10 like I couldn't (even after changing to Normal Releases on Software Sources), then this is what you do:
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE DOING ANYTHING
Note: with Ubuntu 8.10 on my Mini 9, I have not been able to get the microphone to work yet.
Make sure all important files, like Openoffice.org files, are copied onto a USB drive, or emailed to yourself, or whatever way works best for you to back them up BEFORE you do this.
Insert your USB flash drive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive) (1GB should be enough, although less may work too, I just haven't tested it with less)
Go to http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
Click on Download (for Linux)
Save to Desktop
Applications>Accesories>Terminal
Copy and paste each of these lines separately into the terminal (Edit>Copy and Edit>Paste on the menu bars) and press enter after each
cd Desktop
chmod u+x unetbootin-linux-304
sudo ./unetbootin-linux-304enter your password, press enter again
Before UNetbootin opens, there might be messages saying that you need to install certain packages (e.g. p7zip-full) Use the Synaptic Package Manager to install these. If you don't know how click here (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticHowto). Once you've installed those packages, run the last command (sudo ./unetbootin-linux-304) again in the terminal.
Do NOT close the Terminal AT ANY TIME, for doing this will also close UNetbootin.
In the UNetbootin window, there will be a drop-down menu "==Select Distribution=="
Select Ubuntu
There will also be one called "==Select Version=="
Select 8.10_Live for 8.10 Intrepid Ibex, or 8.04_Live for a non-Dell version of 8.04 Hardy Heron
In the bottom left corner of the window, there will be another drop down menu. It will either say "Hard Disk" or "USB Drive". You want it to say USB Drive
Click OK
Wait for everything to finish. While you are waiting, DO NOT CLOSE THE TERMINAL. UNETBOOTIN WINDOW, OR TAKE OUT YOUR USB DRIVE
When it's done, make sure your important files are on something else besides your computer, because afterwards they WILL BE ERASED.
Reboot your Mini
When you see the Dell Logo, press 0 (zero) on your keyboard
When the next screen comes up, press the down arrow key and then enter.
Wait for Ubuntu to load.
On the Desktop, double click Install
Go through the installation process. At some point, it will ask you about Partitions. If you have followed the instructions correctly and backed up important files, you can go ahead and select the whole disk option.
You're done!
If you installed 8.10, make sure to go to this website (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DellMini9/Intrepid) to fix sound, etc.
Thanks to logos34 (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=127804) for helping me get started (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1027616). If it wasn't for him/her, I would be stuck with a horribly messed up OS, and you wouldn't be reading this How-to.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE DOING ANYTHING
Note: with Ubuntu 8.10 on my Mini 9, I have not been able to get the microphone to work yet.
Make sure all important files, like Openoffice.org files, are copied onto a USB drive, or emailed to yourself, or whatever way works best for you to back them up BEFORE you do this.
Insert your USB flash drive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive) (1GB should be enough, although less may work too, I just haven't tested it with less)
Go to http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
Click on Download (for Linux)
Save to Desktop
Applications>Accesories>Terminal
Copy and paste each of these lines separately into the terminal (Edit>Copy and Edit>Paste on the menu bars) and press enter after each
cd Desktop
chmod u+x unetbootin-linux-304
sudo ./unetbootin-linux-304enter your password, press enter again
Before UNetbootin opens, there might be messages saying that you need to install certain packages (e.g. p7zip-full) Use the Synaptic Package Manager to install these. If you don't know how click here (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticHowto). Once you've installed those packages, run the last command (sudo ./unetbootin-linux-304) again in the terminal.
Do NOT close the Terminal AT ANY TIME, for doing this will also close UNetbootin.
In the UNetbootin window, there will be a drop-down menu "==Select Distribution=="
Select Ubuntu
There will also be one called "==Select Version=="
Select 8.10_Live for 8.10 Intrepid Ibex, or 8.04_Live for a non-Dell version of 8.04 Hardy Heron
In the bottom left corner of the window, there will be another drop down menu. It will either say "Hard Disk" or "USB Drive". You want it to say USB Drive
Click OK
Wait for everything to finish. While you are waiting, DO NOT CLOSE THE TERMINAL. UNETBOOTIN WINDOW, OR TAKE OUT YOUR USB DRIVE
When it's done, make sure your important files are on something else besides your computer, because afterwards they WILL BE ERASED.
Reboot your Mini
When you see the Dell Logo, press 0 (zero) on your keyboard
When the next screen comes up, press the down arrow key and then enter.
Wait for Ubuntu to load.
On the Desktop, double click Install
Go through the installation process. At some point, it will ask you about Partitions. If you have followed the instructions correctly and backed up important files, you can go ahead and select the whole disk option.
You're done!
If you installed 8.10, make sure to go to this website (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DellMini9/Intrepid) to fix sound, etc.
Thanks to logos34 (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=127804) for helping me get started (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1027616). If it wasn't for him/her, I would be stuck with a horribly messed up OS, and you wouldn't be reading this How-to.