RM Jones’ Adventure

This is a step by step installation for beginners (like me).

I have been “playing” with Linux off an on for the last two or three years. I put it in, have problems, and take it back out. I don’t like Windows Vista so I am a little more determined this time. I believe that Ubuntu / Kubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” is ready for the average person so I am writing this for the complete beginner. Please remember, there are a lot of ways to do what I am doing here. This is my way. I am a beginner and am making this as much as a record of what worked for me as I am to provide you with information. Please remember, this is what I did to set up my HP Pavilion a1140n computer. It may be a little different for you but probably not much. I wrote this step by step as I was doing the procedures on the computer I was setting up. I hope this helps.

In the previous post I installed Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron and then set up my network and checked my sound. Now we will get on with some of the other steps to get it running the way I want it. This is my desktop computer (or Box as the Linux folks call it) and it is named Penguin of course. I also have a LapTop that is named LapDancer because she sits on my lap of course. Before I get on to setting up Penguin I want to say that if you are setting up a laptop computer you probably want to install the “Ndiswrapper drivers so your wireless will work. To do that just go to “Applications > Add/Remove” and make sure that when that opens that “All available applications” is in the “Show” box. In the “Search” text box enter “ndis” and then when it gets through working select “Windows Wireless Drivers; Ndiswrapper driver installation tool” and “Apply” to set them up. I won’t go into setting up the wireless at this time but it is pretty straight forward. I may come back to it at some later date.

1. One of the first things I like to install is the Kubuntu desktop since that is what I prefer to use most of the time. This is so simple it hurts . Let’s get on with it. Go to “System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager”. You will have to enter your password. Read the Quick Introduction and click “Close”. Next let’s make sure I have the latest update available so click on “Reload”. After that is done scroll down the list on the left until you find “Meta Packages” and select it. In the right top frame locate “kubuntu-desktop” and select it, click “Mark” and click “Apply” on the tool bar. Now click “Apply” again and the download will begin. This will take a while since there are 227 files to download so sit back with a good book and relax until the installation starts.
2. After the files are all downloaded the installation will begin. Now is the time to make a decision. You can either use the Gnome Desktop Manager (gdm) or the KDE Desktop Manager (kdm). They are both very good and do the same thing only slightly different. Actually what they are is the Log In that you will use when you start the program. Either one will allow you to chose which desktop to use. It doesn’t make a lot of difference which one you use except for one feature. If you ever want to be able to log in as a “Root” user you must use the “gdm” display manager. As far as I know, you can’t log in as “Root” from “kdm” or the KDE Desktop Manager. I know that the experienced Linux users are about to have a heart attack about here. Ubuntu doesn’t want you to log in as a “Root” user for security reasons. However, I have at times had to in order to figure out what I want to do. Your choice. Once the installation starts a window will be displayed giving you a choice. I choose “gdm” you can choose “kdm” if you want. It works just as well. After you select the desktop manager you want to use click “Forward”.
3. At this point I normally click on the small triangle just in front of “Details” so I can see what is going on. Sometimes it appears that an installation is taking a log time when in fact it’s waiting for your input. You will know if it is if you watch the “Details”
4. After the installation is complete the message in the window will indicate “Successfully applied all changes” and you can click “Close”. After Synaptic Package Manager is fully back up close the window.
5. Being the paranoid person that I am I like to restart the computer after installing Kubuntu. It isn’t necessary but it’s just something I do. To restart you can either click on the red square in the upper right corner or use “System > Quit” and then select “Restart”.
6. Something new this time. When the computer is rebooted and you get to the Desktop Manager you will be able to choose which desktop you want to use. In the “gdm” you click on “Options” in the lower left corner. “Kdm” is about the same but slightly different. When the pop up opens you will be able to select “Select Session” which will give you many choices, two of which are “Gnome” (the desktop that Ubuntu uses) or “KDE” which brings you to the KDE desktop that Kubuntu uses. For now I’m going back into “Gnome” so I click on it and then click on “Change Session”.
7. Enter your user name and password and you will be asked if you want to make this your default or just change for this session. I’m going to make it my default for now. I can change it later. In no time you are back in Ubuntu.
8. A couple of more things I want to bring up today. If you want to have Ubuntu or Kubuntu log you in automatically you can do so. Simply go to “System > Preferences > Control Center” then under the “System” heading you will find “Login Window” select that. When the window comes up select the “Security” tab, click “Enable Automatic Login” and in the “User” text block select your user name from the drop down list. Thats all there is to it. Next time you restart your computer you will be taken directly into Ubuntu or Kubuntu whichever is your default.
9. If you want to be able t log in as “Root”, and I don’t recommend it, you have to do a couple more things. While you are in the Login Window Preference “Security” tab also click “Allow local system administrator login”. Now click “Close” to close the window. It’s now time to do the last step so you can log in as the “Root” or “administrator” whichever you want to call it. Go to “Applications > System Tools > Root Terminal”. You may have to enter your password. Now that you are here enter “passwd root”. Notice the first word is passwd not password. After you press “Enter” you will be asked for the new UNIX password. Enter the password you want to use for the “Root” login. No characters will be displayed as you type. Press “Enter” and you will be asked to Retype the new password. If you get the message “password updated successfully” you can type “exit” and you are done.

That’s enough for today. I’ll try to be back tomorrow to tell you about some more of the things I do to set up Ubuntu and Kubuntu. Thanks for stopping by.

Bob Jones