HomeBrainDump Page 2 - How to Replace an Invalid Windows XP Installation with Ubuntu
The important preparation - BrainDump
Let us assume that you do not love your invalid Windows XP anymore, can't afford to buy a license, and have some important files on it that you can just transfer to a flash drive or Windows Sky drive (a free online hard drive service by Windows). Then the best solution is to replace your computer's operating system with Linux Ubuntu. Keep reading and we'll show you how and why.
Linux is a free operating system that can be downloaded at no cost. It can provide much better security and features that are similar to those you'll find in Windows XP. This tutorial is only applicable to Linux Ubuntu 8.04, which will replace your invalid Windows XP CD. To start, you need to back up your old files and export to external hard drive or online hard drive (Windows Sky drive recommended).
Once you have completed your external back ups of your important songs, documents and files created in Windows XP, it is the time to download Linux Ubuntu. As of October 2008, the latest Linux Ubuntu version is Ubuntu 8.04 - the Hardy Heron. While this article covers that version, there is now a more recent version, Ubuntu 8.10.
Selection of proper downloading files and locations are important. Ubuntu can be downloaded in this location:
You need to take note of three things: the type of computer you have, the nearest download location, and the type of Ubuntu Release.
The good thing about Ubuntu is that the installer can fit on a single CD. That means it can be easily burned into a single image disc.
On this page, http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download, select the following information: for the release version, select the desktop version: Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Desktop Edition - Supported to 2011. You do not need the server version. For the type of computer, select the Standard personal computer (x86 architecture, Pentium™, Celeron™, Athlon™, Sempron™); this is the most common architecture used for Windows XP. For the nearest download location: if you live in Malaysia but cannot see a downloading server in your location, the nearest location could be in Thailand.
IMPORTANT: Do not check "Click here if you need an alternate CD."
After all of this is set, click "DOWNLOAD." This will take time, as it is around 700 MB. The completed downloaded file is an ISO image file that already includes the Linux Ubuntu Installer and Office programs in Linux (these are equivalent to MS Word and Excel in Windows XP).
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