HOWTO: Setup Ubuntu "Breezy" on an iBook

Brief Disclaimer: This is not a "carved-in-stone" instruction on setting up Ubuntu on an iBook. This just chronicles the steps I took to setup my own Clamshell iBook to run *both* OS X and Ubuntu "Breezy". The steps below can also be tweaked a bit and should work with Windows-based notebooks.

that I have a reasonably stable dual-boot Clamshell iBook that runs both OS X and Ubuntu "Breezy" Linux, here's a brief how-to on setting it up.

The first thing that needs to be set up is the hard disk. I was lucky to have a 30 GB hard disk on my Clamshell and I partitioned it this way: the hard drive has been partitioned into two -- the first is partitioned as an Apple hard drive and the other was left blank. Once the partitions are in place, set up OS X normally. Make sure that OS X is booting properly before doing anything else.

Once OS X is properly installed, insert the Ubuntu install disk and boot from the CD by pressing "C" from the keyboard on the iBook's startup chime. This should make the iBook boot from the CD. Go through the normal Linux installation routine and allow Ubuntu to install on the "largest available contigous space" -- this tells Ubuntu to install Linux on the unused partition. Finish up the Linux installation choosing your prefered options.

Once the Linux installation is complete, it will prompt you to restart the machine. Upon restarting, the familiar grey Apple logo will no longer appear on-screen. Instead a text-based prompt will appear with the following options available: Press "X" for OS X, Press l for Linux, and press "c" for the CD drive. Choose the OS you want to use and you're good to go.

It's that easy and straightforward!

Tips:

• Make sure that you will have enough disk space allocated for both OS X and Linux to run. Give allowance for future software update for both OS.
• As of this writing, both partitions are exclusive -- OS X can't "see" the Linux partition and Linux can't "see" the Apple partition. I'm sure there's a way for them to see each other but I haven't explored that possibility yet.
• Use the latest available version of Ubuntu to ensure stability and hardware compatibility.
• If an installation fail, don't be afraid to try again -- you'll learn a lot from this.
• One thing I've learned about the default Ubuntu Linux Window Manager (GNOME) is that it won't run if your system date is set incorrectly. Make sure that your system date reflects the current date and time.
• If you feel you are at a loss during the installation and usage of Ubuntu Linux, Google is your best friend.

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