Chapter 1: Hacking the Installation

This chapter explores options for installing and configuring devices. Where you choose to install Ubuntu, which variation you install, and what options you select will impact the system usability.

Before You Begin

Before you install the operating system, be sure to create a backup of anything you want to keep. Copy all data off of the system. You can save it to a CD-ROM, copy it to a spare computer, or physically change hard drives- the method does not matter. Do not keep sensitive data on the same system, even if it is kept on a different hard drive or in a separate partition. If you accidentally format or repartition a working hard drive that contains data you wanted to keep, then the data will be gone.

Warning 

This chapter deals with drive partitioning, formatting, and installing operating systems. If you play with a working system, there is a serious risk of accidentally deleting your working configuration.

Drive device identifiers can be confusing-the label /dev/sda1 looks a lot like /dev/sda2 and /dev/hda1. Before every partition, format, and copy, be sure to triple-check the device identifier! When you make a mistake, there will be no going back.