Installing Ubuntu

Updates: 27/05/2021

We use Ubuntu on laptops given to students for the following reasons

  • Is the most widely used version of Linux

  • It runs most of the software that is used for development

  • It is cheaper than Windows and Windows causes too many problems for trainees

  • It runs a Unix command line meaning teaching terminal is easier

If you have a problem with any of these steps you can ask for help in #ask-tech-help on Slack

1) Download Ubuntu

You should start by downloading the latest version of Ubuntu LTS from here

This will download a ".iso" file to your computer. This file is an type of file that contains all of the files required to install Ubuntu as an operating system.

Make sure you download the "LTS" version.

2) Create a Bootable USB

Next you'll need a USB stick to install the .iso file to so that you can install Ubuntu from it. Follow the instructions here:

3) Install Ubuntu

Please read all notes here before starting

Finally, insert the USB stick into the laptop that you want to install the Ubuntu on.

When you boot up the laptop you'll want to press either F5 or F12 to enter the "Boot Menu". From here you can choose the USB stick as the Boot Device to load the installed.

Follow the rest of the instructions here.

Some important points:

  1. On Step 5, make sure that Normal Installation is selected

  2. On Step 5, make sure "Download updates" is enabled

  3. On Step 5, make sure "Install Third Party Software" is enabled

  4. On Step 9, make sure you set the username and password as something memorable and you include them with the laptop when delivering to a students

Once Ubuntu has been installed confirm everything is working by

  1. Booting up the laptop and making sure Ubuntu loads

  2. Opening Firefox and navigating to a website

  3. Making sure the date and time are correct

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