How to Install Ubuntu Linux on your Dell PC

This article provides information about how to perform a clean installation of the Ubuntu Linux operating system on your Dell PC.

Do you need to install Ubuntu on your Dell PC? There are a few things that you need to decide, and obtain, before you proceed with the guide below.

Note: If you install an operating system other than the one that shipped with your system, then you do so at your own risk. Dell cannot certify that the hardware's compatibility, and we may not be able to support the system in that configuration.



Dell does not supply most drivers for Ubuntu as all the required drivers are bundled into the operating system install media. That is why we recommend you verify that your system is compatible with the installation version from Canonical .

Have you checked whether Canonical has certified your system type for Ubuntu?

If not, then go to the Canonical site and check if your model has been tested by Canonical and is supported. If you have verified that your system is supported, proceed to the next step.

Note: Did your system ship with Ubuntu? If not and you have an issue that requires Technical Support Assistance, you may be asked to restore your system to default state. (including the operating system.) If that does not resolve the issue, then there would be limited support possible at that point.

Do you have a copy of the latest DVD or USB installation media from Canonical ? These include the latest updates and fixes for this operating system.

You can download the appropriate Ubuntu ISO from Canonical .

If you purchased your system from Dell with Ubuntu already installed, there are recovery images on your system. See the article How to recover a Dell-Ubuntu Image on your Dell PC for more information.



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There are three things to consider before you start installing Ubuntu:

The type or format of your storage media can affect how you go about installing Ubuntu on your PC. It matters whether you are installing on a new M2 card. On a standard SATA hard disk drive. On the same SATA hard disk drives in an Intel Matrix RAID configuration. Check that your PC's hardware allows you to make the kind of installation you need. Alternatively, read through the articles below to learn how to choose the right installation method for your system hardware:

Note: USB 2.0 and older removable media devices are not supported on systems using the new Intel SkyLake processors. The chipsets for the CPUs no longer support the USB 2.0 hub.

The difference between Legacy and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) BIOS configurations can be the difference between a successful installation and a failure. Check out the linked articles below for more information about the subject:

Like any other operating system, Ubuntu is constantly looking to improve its usage and performance. The difference with Ubuntu is that you have two update options at any time:

The first is the most recent Long Term Support (LTS) release. This update is available every two years and is fully supported by Canonical with updates for five years. It is considered a tested and stable build. The second is the most recent Normal release. This update is available every six months and is only supported by Canonical with updates for nine months. These normal releases are considered to be cutting-edge, but they can have issues. Testers and developers usually utilize these updates.

If you are looking to upgrade to a new version of Ubuntu, check out the article Upgrading Ubuntu to the latest version?



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Insert the Ubuntu disk into your DVD drive or connect your bootable USB into a port on the system. Tap rapidly on the F12 key when the Dell logo appears during startup. This takes you to the Boot Once menu. You can use the Cursor or Arrow keys to navigate the menu and highlight your selection. You can choose to either boot from USB or Boot from CD/DVD Drive. Once your Choice is highlighted, hit the ENTER key. When the system reboots, choose the Try Ubuntu option. This option checks whether Ubuntu can see your hardware. When you are ready to proceed, click the Install Ubuntu button. The install wizard should appear and prompt you through some choices. Select your install language and click Continue.

The Keyboard layout window appears. Select the correct keyboard layout for your system and click Continue.

Note: If you are unsure what your layout is, you can now select the Detect Keyboard Layout button for help.

The Preparing to install Ubuntu window appears. Choose the applicable options and click Continue.

Note: We recommend that during the install you have both a wired network connector and a power cable plugged in.



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If you do not have a wired connection plugged in, the install takes you through setting up a Wireless Wi-Fi connection.

The Installation type window appears. Several options are available. If you want to Dual Boot install Ubuntu alongside other operating systems, read the guide below before you select the Something Else Option: Installing Ubuntu and Windows as a Dual Boot on your Dell PC If you want to install Ubuntu over your entire hard drive, click Erase disk and install Ubuntu. Then select the hard drive that you want to install Ubuntu onto and proceed to step 3. Note: This action erases all data and systems that are on the disk. If you want to manually set up various custom partitions on the hard drive, see the guide below before you select the Something Else option: Creating multiple custom partitions during an Ubuntu Install

Click Install Now. From this point onward, you cannot cancel the installation.



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Next, you need to set up a few configuration settings, starting with the Where are you? window.

Select your location from the options on the map or type it into the text box and click Continue.

Enter your personal information into the Who are you? window.

While the operating system is installing, the screen scrolls through screenshots that gives you further information about Ubuntu.

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When the install wizard finishes, the Installation complete message window appears. Click Restart Now to restart your computer.



Ubuntu is now installed. See the article Configuring Ubuntu on your Dell PC for initial setup advice.

Note: If there are any issues after you complete the installation, the easiest and quickest resolution is to run the installation again.



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