- get a copy of Ubuntu on CD, I think 8.10 is the latest (9.04 is coming soon)
- put it in your CD/DVD drive and boot to it
- give the appropriate answers to install the update or do a clean install (whatever you prefer)
That's basically it.
Haven't done it for this distro/hardware combination myself I can't guarantee that there will be no glitches but your changes are pretty good everything will work right away.
Take a look at www.ubuntu.com where you'll find a lot more information and also how to get a copy of your distro.
Since it was preloaded on my Dell, shouldnt I get a specific Dell copy? unfortunately, they stopped using my particular laptop almost immediately, these are the only options out there, wondering if I should use the 1420?
Well, as you said Ubuntu 7.04 was pre-installed by Dell. Playing it safe: - first make a back-up of you user data in /home - do an update to 7.10. It's offered from within via the Update Manager. Read the page about the update carefully => http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_7.10 and see which caveats are there are and to get around them. - test your system and verify everything is working
If comfortable with this scheme do the same to upgrade to 8.04 and then 8.10. You'll also get to know your system pretty well with this exercise.
This will take a few hours (depending on your mileage and download speed) but the risk is limited (but not zero). If you like your current situation ask yourself is it worth the trouble: added features vs. time?
If you're not faint-hearted you can also run the "tweaked" Ubuntu 8.04 recovery CD/DVD provided by Dell. By using this you'll wipe out your complete hard-drive and restore it to a state in which it left the factory. Not your machine however which came with 7.04! Fixes for hardware support are already in place but all user data will be lost! You'll also loose the value add-ons i.e. DVD playback and some codecs but these can be installed later on by asking your "friendly neighbour" on the Internet or perhaps you can get a replacement via the Ubuntu repositories. DVD playback and codecs are pretty basic stuff in Linux.
vanreer
2 Posts
0
April 3rd, 2009 02:00
Hi there,
what you have to do is:
- get a copy of Ubuntu on CD, I think 8.10 is the latest (9.04 is coming soon)
- put it in your CD/DVD drive and boot to it
- give the appropriate answers to install the update or do a clean install (whatever you prefer)
That's basically it.
Haven't done it for this distro/hardware combination myself I can't guarantee that there will be no glitches but your changes are pretty good everything will work right away.
Take a look at www.ubuntu.com where you'll find a lot more information and also how to get a copy of your distro.
Success
vanreer
Mandriva Ed.2009 / Dell Optiplex GX280
blueb73
12 Posts
0
April 3rd, 2009 07:00
Since it was preloaded on my Dell, shouldnt I get a specific Dell copy? unfortunately, they stopped using my particular laptop almost immediately, these are the only options out there, wondering if I should use the 1420?
http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_7.10#Dell_OS_Reinstallation_7.10_DVD_ISO
thanks!
vanreer
2 Posts
0
April 4th, 2009 13:00
Well, as you said Ubuntu 7.04 was pre-installed by Dell. Playing it safe:
- first make a back-up of you user data in /home
- do an update to 7.10. It's offered from within via the Update Manager. Read the page about the update carefully => http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_7.10 and see which caveats are there are and to get around them.
- test your system and verify everything is working
If comfortable with this scheme do the same to upgrade to 8.04 and then 8.10. You'll also get to know your system pretty well with this exercise.
This will take a few hours (depending on your mileage and download speed) but the risk is limited (but not zero). If you like your current situation ask yourself is it worth the trouble: added features vs. time?
If you're not faint-hearted you can also run the "tweaked" Ubuntu 8.04 recovery CD/DVD provided by Dell. By using this you'll wipe out your complete hard-drive and restore it to a state in which it left the factory. Not your machine however which came with 7.04! Fixes for hardware support are already in place but all user data will be lost! You'll also loose the value add-ons i.e. DVD playback and some codecs but these can be installed later on by asking your "friendly neighbour" on the Internet or perhaps you can get a replacement via the Ubuntu repositories. DVD playback and codecs are pretty basic stuff in Linux.
Good luck.