Installing Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala 64 bits (HP Pavilion dv5-1020ep)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Last week Ubuntu 9.10, codename Karmic Koala, was released.

I’m doing a clean install because I want to use ext4 as my filesystem. It’s possible to convert ext3 to ext4, but I prefer a clean install.

First my laptop. I will be the using the 64 bit desktop cd (ubuntu-9.10-desktop-amd64.iso).

Before you start

Backup your data
Make a list of software you want to recover after the clean install and all the preferences/options you use. This will make you post install easier and you can start working faster.
Make a list of the extra Software Sources you use
Check the Release Notes
Download Ubuntu
Check the file hash (example: md5sum ubuntu-9.10-desktop-amd64.iso) and compare it to UbuntuHashes
Burn a cd (you can use Brasero, for example, if you already use Ubuntu)

Running the live cd

Boot from the cd.
After booting it’s important to check the integrity of the cd. Burning cds also fails.

Hardware to check (during the live cd session)

Graphics (check)
Sound (check)
Media buttons (check)
Cable network (check)
Wireless network (not tested)
HP media command (it mutes the sound, more tests needed)
Integrated Webcam (checked using Cheese)

Hard Drive Partition Layout

I will keep my storage area as an ext3 filesystem.

Upgrading to Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:29:00 +0100

Yesterday Ubuntu 9.04, codename Jaunty Jackalope, was released.

Time to upgrade :-) First in my laptop.

I will be the using the 64 bit alternate cd to upgrade. This means that the upgrade will have a cd image as his source, and not the Internet. This way it’s much faster, I think.