Thursday, May 24, 2012

Create Ubuntu Live CD, Make Free Linux CD, Live CD Linux

Want to create an Ubuntu live CD or any bootable Linux CD? Find out how to make a free Linux CD here!

This guide shows you how to create a live Linux CD in order to test or install the system. In the example, below, I create an Ubuntu Linux live CD but the same steps can be followed to make any type of Linux boot CD.

ubuntu live cd, linux desktop

The first step to create a free Linux CD is to download the version of Linux you want. Linux is usually packaged as an "ISO file" and you can get hold of them from various websites (links below).

For this example, I'm going to navigate to Ubuntu's website and download the Ubuntu Linux ISO file. You can do the same by following this link: Ubuntu Linux (click and a new window will open).

Other versions of Linux you might want to try are:

The Ubuntu website provides a couple of download options so you can select the exact version of the system you want. The default choices will suit most people, so just hit the "Start download" button when you're ready and save the ISO file when prompted.

Once you've downloaded an ISO file (Ubuntu or otherwise) you'll need to burn it onto a blank CD or DVD. The purpose of this step is to extract all the files stored inside the ISO file and put them onto a CD or DVD, which will then be "bootable".

This means that when your PC is switched on - and the Linux disc is in the computer - it will load a live version of Linux that's on the CD/DVD instead of booting your computer's hard disk and loading the operating system that's installed on it (e.g. Windows XP).

You can then try Linux without touching your Windows set up. And, if you want to, you'll be able to install the system onto your hard disk.

1. To burn the ISO file to disc, open your CD/DVD burner software and look for a "Burn ISO file" option. For this guide, I'm using CDBurnerXP. So I select the "Burn ISO image" button from the main menu.

ubuntu live cd, cdburnerxp interface

2. I then browse my PC for the ISO file I downloaded earlier and click "Burn disc".

ubuntu live cd, cdburnerxp burn iso file

You should now have a working Linux boot CD. Follow this link to learn how to boot from CD/DVD. Once you've booted from a live Linux CD you can try out Linux without installing it, or install it if you choose to.

Follow this link for specific instructions on how to install Ubuntu.

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