Tell me more ×
Ask Ubuntu is a question and answer site for Ubuntu users and developers. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

This question already has an answer here:

I have my old lenovo R61 ThinkPad with a new harddrive and Windows xp installed but not activated since my windows product key expired after graduation or somthing like that.

I would like to start using ubuntu but I can not figure out how to install ubuntu onto my thinkpad without a currently opperating os. I already downloaded Ubuntu 12.10 to a USB from my desktop.

Now what? Please help! It will save me a great deal of frustration.

share|improve this question

marked as duplicate by Seth, bcbc, The Lord of Time, Mitch, Eric Carvalho May 7 at 10:27

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

1 Answer

up vote 0 down vote

It is not enough to just download the ubuntu iso to a usbflashdrive. Also you have to use unetbootin , lili, or another live usb creator to make a live usbflashdrive. Afterwards you can install ubuntu by booting your computer from the flashdrive. (You may have to change the bootorder in your bios, as long as the usbflashdrive boots before the hdd, you'll be ok.)

If you are planning to install ubuntu and remove windows choose use entire disk during the ubuntu installation, windows will be removed.

If your machine can't boot from usb burn the ubuntu iso onto a dvd and follow the above instructions. (Boot dvd before hdd.)

If you would like to dualboot windows and ubuntu follow these instructions on the ubuntu documentation site: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot. Make sure, before you start the dual boot install, to make space for the ubuntu install from within windows (disk manager).

lili:  http://www.linuxliveusb.com/
unetbootin:  google it because I'm not allowed to place more than two hyperlinks.

share|improve this answer
By the way I recommend installing ubuntu 12.04 instead of ubuntu 12.10. Ubuntu 12.04 is an lts which means it is more stable and supported for five years. (lts = long term support). – jeroen Nov 30 '12 at 2:50

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.