preparing to test/install ubuntu on new windows box

[Robert Moskowitz]

On 6/17/25 8:38 AM, bruce wrote:
> Hi
>
> Trying to set up initial steps for ubuntu on new windows box. Feel
> free to add/comment as you see fit.
>
> multiple usb diff sizes
> figure out how what to do to create Bootable ubuntu usb
> figure out what to do to create usb to install ubuntu
>
> Upgrade review of HP Laptop 17z-cp300 #af630a7da9
> https://linux-hardware.org/?probe=af630a7da9&upgrade
>   -- seems to list probe/drilldown of the  laptop
>      seems to say wifi/bluetooth supported
>
> use rufus to install with bootable usb::
>
> 4GB or larger USB
> Rufus,
> Ubuntu ISO file. Get Ubuntu for download link
> https://rufus.ie/en/
> https://ubuntu.com/download
>
> uefi/bios  hp/ubuntu
> Phase 2. Enable UEFI in BIOS

My notebook is Fedora 41 with Xfce.  So I just downloaded the Ubuntu 25 
iso had used its "Disk Image Writer" to a USB to make it bootable.

>
> Restart your HP computer, and long-press the "Esc" key to open the
> Startup Menu. Press "F10" to go to the BIOS Setup Utility.
> In BIOS Settings, navigate to the "Boot" tab and select the "UEFI"
> option under "UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode."
> Click "Save & Exit" and press "Enter" to confirm.
>
> is uefi/bios preferred?
>
> Choose Partition scheme and target system: In the "Partition scheme"
> and "Target system" options, select either GPT or MBR based on your
> target PC's UEFI or BIOS settings. For a wide range of PCs, GPT is
> generally recommended.
>
> (which option for gpt/mbr)

On my servers that I am running Ubuntu, I skipped all this drive setup 
work in bios and let Ubuntu's install do the work for the partitioning 
scheme.  Now I am really not so happy with the defaults.  But they are 
not bad.  LVM does have its advantages at a small cost over ext4 directly.

> Boot from USB: Insert the USB drive into the target PC and boot from
> it. You may need to access the boot menu (usually by pressing F12,
> ESC, or another key during startup) and select the USB drive as the
> boot device
>
> after creating the usb/ubuntu device
>   --can install ubuntu to a new/fresh laptop
>      -need to "set" the boot attributes of tgt laptop??
>         yes/no -how?

Ubuntu does a decent job at this through the install.  All will be done 
at the end and you will be instructed to boot.  Just wait to be told to 
remove the USB stick.  Next boot will be from the HD.

> concerns:
>   -wifi -- will it work?
>              does it need additional drivers

Most likely not.  If wifi is your only networking option (no ethernet 
plugged in), the install will attempt to get wifi working to download 
all the rest of the cruft needed for the install.  So you will know 
RIGHT Away if the wifi works.

>   -how to maintain copy of windows if needed in future

Oh, so you want duo boot?  Not my area.  I have separate machines for 
this.  Plugged into a KVM.

>   -how to setup drives
>      ssd -- with os, and what else
>      2.5' -- data/apps/etc..

Well it seems like you are planning to keep a Win partition for duo 
boot?  Advice elsewhere.  But if only Ubuntu, its default is to set up a 
boot partition and an LVM partition.  You can grow the LVM later and 
grow the / partition in it.  Swap is a file in /

> If I get this far, the goal is to then take the drive from the machine
> -- thats saying "no bootable device"
>    -- this is the critical issue
>       how/what needs to be done to try to access the drive via usb

Just put this new drive in that system and do the install from USB 
directly on it on the target hardware.  Ubuntu install will make the 
drive bootable and the system "aware" that there is a bootable drive in it.

All magic.


>
> thanks
>