Intel iMac Dual-boot leopard/ubuntu

[cyberdork33]

I don't want to have to choose the OS every boot-time. I want to be able to boot holding option, then choose, just like default Boot Camp. How can I fix the MBR without installing rEFIt?

1. you don't have to choose everytime. The default choice is booted automatically after a delay that you can adjust. (much like grub does).

2. You don't have to leave rEFIt installed, just use the tool, then uninstall it when all is well.

P.S. that functionality has nothing to do with bootcamp. It is part of the mac firmware.

[computergeek6]

can i install using the installer, instead of livecd?

[handy]

I have one of the Intel iMacs, and I want to install Ubuntu on it. The problem is that I need to be REALLY sure that my data is safe. I know that you can install using Bootcamp, but how can you install the wireless drivers if there is no internet connection? If there is a tutorial on safely installing Ubuntu on an Intel iMac, please post a link to it.

I only read your post, so this has probably already been covered; anyway if not here is a wiki page I created for Arch, which up until the Arch installation part should be helpful I hope.

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/IMac_Aluminium

[cyberdork33]

can i install using the installer, instead of livecd?

I don't understand what you mean. The installer and LiveCD are on the same Disc.

[computergeek6]

I didn't have any CDROMS around, so I burned it onto a DVD, and when I boot from the disk, the live-cd option doesn't show up.

[cyberdork33]

I didn't have any CDROMS around, so I burned it onto a DVD, and when I boot from the disk, the live-cd option doesn't show up.

Did you download the Alternate install CD image or the normal CD image?

You can still use the alternate installer, you just have to use the manual partitioner to delete the bootcamp partition and create a root and swap partition in its place.

[computergeek6]

I got the newest normal image, and there's no liveCD

[cyberdork33]

The "normal" cd is a LiveCD... meaning that it boots into a Live install of Ubuntu that you can use. See attached image.

[computergeek6]

Well, I downloaded the dual-core image, booted it, and that option wasn't there. Does the dual-core image have it too?

[cyberdork33]

dual-core image? where are you downloading this from? There is no "dual-core" image...