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Linux on a mac

H

hitman45400

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 23, 2008
188
0
So, this should be the right place to post this..but i partitioned my harddrive in the hopes to install ubunto.
First off, i downloaded the ISO off of the website, can i put on a flash drive and put it on the partition?
Second, how do i get to the partition section of the drive? or can i just run it through boot camp?
 
dont use bootcamp as the sole reason for bootcamp is to get windows to work with efi

just make a new partition and then install it there

then hold the option key on startup to select boot disk
 
dukebound85 said:
dont use bootcamp as the sole reason for bootcamp is to get windows to work with efi

just make a new partition and then install it there

then hold the option key on startup to select boot disk
Click to expand...

once i am in the boot disk, how i install linux? and do i put everything from ubuntu on the flash, or just the iso?
 
Do you have VMWare Fusion installed? You can install it with that directly from the ISO, I've been playing around with a few different Linux distributions via Fusion. There is a free application called Virtual Box from Sun, not as polished as Fusion but it is free.
 
hitman45400 said:
will i be able to install the ISO from the flash or will i have to boot from it everytime?
Click to expand...

Once you burn it to disc, then install it onto the new partition, you will not need the disc anymore.

You should not put it on a flash drive.
 
r.j.s said:
Once you burn it to disc, then install it onto the new partition, you will not need the disc anymore.

You should not put it on a flash drive.
Click to expand...

alright so i hit option in startup, but it only showed my main hdd..?
i need a walkthrough..
agh ><
 
Burn the .iso with Disk Utility

I installed my copy of Ubuntu through VMware Fusion and it was flawless

You should be able to boot from the CD/DVD you burned the .iso to... and follow the install directions (but I didn't do it that way, so I am not sure).

Honestly... Fusion was so easy to install Ubuntu I was sort of disappointed that I didn't have to do anything

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
MacDawg said:
Burn the .iso with Disk Utility

I installed my copy of Ubuntu through VMware Fusion and it was flawless

You should be able to boot from the CD/DVD you burned the .iso to... and follow the install directions (but I didn't do it that way, so I am not sure).

Honestly... Fusion was so easy to install Ubuntu I was sort of disappointed that I didn't have to do anything

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
Click to expand...

Where do i get fusion?
 
KingYaba said:
I hope you know these pieces of software do not install Ubuntu on a partition. It's virtualization. If that's what you want go for it.

Anyway, use rEFIt if you want OS X, Linux and Windows to play nice on your Mac. http://refit.sourceforge.net/
Click to expand...

so, i downloaded and installed the program, and the partion inspector showed me this;
*** Report for internal hard disk ***

Current GPT partition table:
# Start LBA End LBA Type
1 40 409639 EFI System (FAT)
2 409640 358740359 Mac OS X HFS+
3 359002504 390459783 Mac OS X HFS+

Current MBR partition table:
# A Start LBA End LBA Type
1 1 390721967 ee EFI Protective

MBR contents:
Boot Code: None

Partition at LBA 40:
Boot Code: None (Non-system disk message)
File System: FAT32
Listed in GPT as partition 1, type EFI System (FAT)

Partition at LBA 409640:
Boot Code: None
File System: HFS Extended (HFS+)
Listed in GPT as partition 2, type Mac OS X HFS+

Partition at LBA 359002504:
Boot Code: None
File System: HFS Extended (HFS+)
Listed in GPT as partition 3, type Mac OS X HFS+



what does this mean?
and from here, how do i install my copy of linux onto it?
 
KingYaba said:
I hope you know these pieces of software do not install Ubuntu on a partition. It's virtualization. If that's what you want go for it.

Anyway, use rEFIt if you want OS X, Linux and Windows to play nice on your Mac. http://refit.sourceforge.net/
Click to expand...

so, i downloaded and installed the program, and the partion inspector showed me this;
*** Report for internal hard disk ***

Current GPT partition table:
# Start LBA End LBA Type
1 40 409639 EFI System (FAT)
2 409640 358740359 Mac OS X HFS+
3 359002504 390459783 Mac OS X HFS+

Current MBR partition table:
# A Start LBA End LBA Type
1 1 390721967 ee EFI Protective

MBR contents:
Boot Code: None

Partition at LBA 40:
Boot Code: None (Non-system disk message)
File System: FAT32
Listed in GPT as partition 1, type EFI System (FAT)

Partition at LBA 409640:
Boot Code: None
File System: HFS Extended (HFS+)
Listed in GPT as partition 2, type Mac OS X HFS+

Partition at LBA 359002504:
Boot Code: None
File System: HFS Extended (HFS+)
Listed in GPT as partition 3, type Mac OS X HFS+



what does this mean?
and from here, how do i install my copy of linux onto it?
 
What I did to install ubuntu was I created a partition with disk utility and then immediately deleted it, leaving unallocated free space. When I got into the ubuntu installer i told it to install on "largest section of free space" or something like that. It created partition for me and also created a partition for swap as well. Then I installed refit on OSX to be able to boot from it. This has worked fine for me so far. One thing about linux that you should be careful about though is not all features work right after install. On my uMB it took a decent amount of work to get the multitouch trackpad, internal speakers, and bluetooth working. And I am also still in the process of getting the correct driver so my graphics card will work properly and I can enable desktop effects.

My method for install might not be the best but it was what worked for me.
 
If you are new to Ubuntu, or linux in general, I would suggest installing VirtualBox and and running Ubuntu virtually. Ubuntu runs great in VirtualBox, and it would be a good way for you to see if Ubuntu is what you need it to be, with out dual booting your system. Additionally, if you should decide to try another linux distribution later on, you can run it virtually as well.
 
hitman45400 said:
what does this mean?
and from here, how do i install my copy of linux onto it?
Click to expand...

Use the live CD? Format with EXT3 or 4. Be sure to remember the correct partition number. :) If you want a visual guide I know there are a few YouTube videos that instruct step by step. Go look 'em up.
 
this is really getting annoying..
what about trying to install windows 7? will i be able to get it through boot camp easier? and when they are done with the trial, as long as i didn't update it, could it still be used?
 
hitman45400 said:
this is really getting annoying..
what about trying to install windows 7? will i be able to get it through boot camp easier? and when they are done with the trial, as long as i didn't update it, could it still be used?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can install Windows 7 RC through Boot Camp

No, you cannot continue to use it after the release
It is set to start regular shutdowns next Spring I think and will stop operating soon after

You will have purchase a retail version and do a clean install after that

Did you ever get Ubuntu working?
The VirtualBox solution should work flawlessly for you


Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
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