Kubuntu/Installation

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Why try Kubuntu?

There are many good reasons to install Kubuntu, such as:

Kubuntu makes your PC easier to use.
Kubuntu is an operating system built by a friendly worldwide team of expert developers. It contains all the applications you need, including a web browser, office suite, media apps, instant messaging, in addition to many others. For a list of the included software, see the Software page.
Kubuntu is a free, open-source alternative to Windows and Mac OS X.
It can be easily installed alongside, or instead of, Windows.

Preparing the installation media

Checking the MD5SUM

Doing this will ensure that your download is complete and that it has given you a fully working ISO to boot, which can be later installed from.

From Windows XP -> 7 -> 8 -> 10

Microsoft Windows does not have any built-in tools for MD5SUM but they do provide a tool for checking the MD5SUM. How-To-Geek also provides some information regarding MD5SUM reading material or Cygwin can be installed and UNIX utilities used instead.

From Mac OS X

Open the Terminal app, then navigate to the directory where the ISO is saved. Run:

 md5 -r kubuntu-15.10-desktop-amd64.iso

And compare the output to the hashes page for the ISO file.

List of UbuntuHashes can be found here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuHashes

From Ubuntu Linux

The first thing to do is to make sure you're in the directory with the .iso file (It will most likely be found in the Downloads directory). Then run the command 'md5sum': For more a more detailed explanation of MD5SUM: [1]

 md5sum kubuntu-15.10-desktop-amd64.iso

Windows 7/8

USB/Flash Drives

For a GUI (Graphic User Interface) we use UNetBootin.

You can use UNetBootin to download the ISO(image file) automatically or it can be downloaded: Get Kubuntu.

If you choose the 'Diskimage' option you use the ... button to select your downloaded ISO. Then click OK.

Warning

Pay special attention when selecting the right USB device under 'Drive'.

DVD

The recommended tool for you to use is ImgBurn. There is an excellent tutorial written by the Admin on the ImgBurn forums. It can be found here.

Existing Kubuntu Install

USB/Flash Drives

For a GUI (Graphic User Interface) we use UNetBootin.

You can use UNetBootin to download the ISO(image file) automatically or it can be downloaded here: Get Kubuntu.

Using the command line we use the 'dd' command.

Insert your USB drive into your computer and find the corresponding drive using: lsblk
Then format the USB drive with the 'dd' command:
sudo dd if=Downloads/kubuntu-15.04-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdX

Warning

Be extremely careful to set /dev/sdX to the right value, if you direct it to your hard drive you will wipe the disk.

DVD

For making a DVD we recommend this KDE tool called k3b, which can be found here.

Look for More actions..., click it and then pick Burn Image... from the list of actions.

Then you select the image (iso) that you want to burn to the DVD from your computer.

Note

Most torrent clients and browsers store your downloads in the 'Download' directory.

Note

Most of the default settings for K3b for DVD burning do not require any changes.

Other Linux Distributions

GNOME based

USB/Flash Drives

For a GUI (Graphic User Interface) we use UNetBootin.

You can use UNetBootin to download the ISO(image file) automatically or it can be downloaded through Get Kubuntu.

DVD

KDE based

If you're using a Linux Distribution that uses KDE you can follow the Kubuntu instructions as K3b is provided in every KDE based distribution.

Install Process

First, you will need to download Kubuntu. See Get Kubuntu

Note

You will need to press a special key on the keyboard in order to boot from your chosen Installation Media. Ex: Esc, F2, F10, F12, or Del , depending on the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

When the installer starts you will see these options:

Try out Kubuntu without changing anything on your computer.
Install Kubuntu on your computer.

Prepare

For the best result, ensure that:

Your computer has enough room for Kubuntu and your data (your songs, pictures, videos, and documents).
Your computer is connected to the Internet so that you can download updates and third-party software during the installation of Kubuntu.

Include this third-party software includes software that either does not follow the Open Source model or the Ubuntu Philosophy, but is safe for use on your system.

Downloading updates while installing will ensure that you have the latest bug and security fixes included and applied once the installation is complete.

Disk Setup

This is where you choose how to organize your hard drive. This step is the most complicated and consequential in the entire installation process, so take your time.

Tip

You will be able to change your mind and go back until the Install Now button is clicked.

The following sections are some possible installation scenarios you might choose. Each of these choices points to a page or series of pages with more details. For each option (except Manual), the installer asks which hard drive to use. After choosing, you will see a before and after layout on that hard drive.

Resize

This will resize the partitions for you and install Kubuntu on the free space. With this option, you can create what is called a dual-boot and choose which OS to boot into at startup.

Note

This is available only if at least 25GB are free.

Use entire disk

Using this option the installer will create two partitions on your hard drive; one for most of the content, including the root and home directories, and one partition for the swap.

Warning

This option will completely erase your hard drive. You will lose any operating systems (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc.) and all of your data that is stored on that drive.

Use entire disk and set up LVM

More about LVM

Use entire disk and set up encrypted LVM

More about encrypted file systems

Manual

When using Manual to set up your system as you would like it, keep these thoughts in mind:

The root ( / ) directory needs at least 25 GB of space.
The home ( /home ) directory needs as much space as you will need for your files, music, pictures, and documents. So it is best to use the remaining space for the home partition, unless you are going to have a dual boot.
Swap space of at least half of the available RAM is recommended. For instance, with 8 GB of RAM, you should make the swap have at least 4 GB.

Note

If you have a Windows 8 sticker on your machine you might need to make a separate EFI partition with a fat32 filesystem.

For more detailed information regarding the Disk Setup of a Linux system you can check the DiskSpace page.

Timezone

During this step you get to pick the Region where you live and then the Timezone of the location in that Region. An example would be that I live in New York, so my Region is North America and my Timezone is New York (EST).

Keyboard

This is the step that will set up your keyboard's language or, if applicable, a different version of the language. For example, there is a Cherokee American English setting as well as different setups with special keys used in certain languages; in Kubuntu we try to make the use of the system easy for everyone!

User Info

At this step of the installation you will be putting in user information like your name, username, and password. The password will be your key to logging into your new installation as well as installing new software, updating your system, and more, so keep it written down somewhere!

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