I can't install Ubuntu on my Mac

There is a problem with your dvd drive or there is a problem with the DVD containing ubuntu. Is the CD damaged? Are you sure your burned CD is not corrupt/dirty?

If you Google your error message you'll find lots of answers.

The problem with installing Linux is all the Mac issues need to be worked out and people who are more geeky need to do this. Well there isn't a whole lot of Mac > Linux users that technical with newer hardware.

So the object is to install Linux with older proven methods with a older version like 10.10 and then UPGRADE to 11.04 afterwards from within Linux.

Virtualbox is easy, direct installing Linux is a different matter as it requires partitioning the boot drive.

I have a triple boot 15" MacBook Pro with Linux, OS X and Windows. So I can show you how to go about it, but your going to need to read and understand the map if you know what I mean.

1: First backup your OS X data, clone the boot drive to a spare external with the free Carbon Copy Cloner (it's hold option bootable so you can get online and get help), because most likely your going to have to c boot off the Snow Leopard install disk to use Disk Utility to Erase/Format/Partition the boot drive and reinstall OS X Snow Leopard on one of the partitions.

2: Follow these directions for the partition scheme and installation of rEFIt a EFI based "program" to give you a bootloader to select which operating system you want to use, it's the easiest way as Apple's bootcamp won't help you with a Linux install (note you might not be able to make more than one partition while booted from the OS X on the boot drive, thus the c boot off the Snow Leopard install disk like I mentioned above, so backup your DATA!)

http://lifehacker.com/5531037/how-to-triple+boot-your-mac-with-windows-and-linux -no-boot-camp-required

Your going to need to consult this Ubuntu wiki page for your Mac model and any addiitonal steps. Getting drivers is the hardest part.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MactelSupportTeam/CommunityHelpPages

Download page for Ubuntu 10.10

http://releases.ubuntu.com/10.10/

Once you get 10.10 upgraded to 11.04 and your Hardware Drivers updated for your video card etc., upon rebooting your 11.04 may drop back into "Classic mode" without the "Unity 3D" effects.

You can install the Unity 2D effects instead.

http://www.webupd8.org/2011/01/unity-2d-qt-now-available-in-ppa-for.html

Ubuntu 11.04 with "unity 2D"

Ubuntu 11.04 with "Macbuntu" desktop

Mrguidogenio wrote:

I'm sure both the CD and drive are good as I succesfully virtualizated it.

Many of the googled answer are just for PCs running Windows. I think the Mac has something to do here. I don't understand why I managed to virtualizate it but not to native install it.

Linux is for generic PC's with BIO's, not EFI. Why you can't install Ubuntu via disk on a EFI machine.

Apple's "Bootcamp" installs it's own BIOS so Windows can install later.

Installing rEFIt will solve the issue.

Once you got Linux installed and the hardware drivers in, then treat yourself to some fun, there are a few good 3D games for Linux. Just search for the names in the Ubuntu Software Center, prepare for a lengthly download.

http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/best-linux-software

Yes, you can do all the above experiments on a External Drive provided you hold option while booting the computer to select from bootable options, but that's a real hassle and will cause confusion later. Not only that, once you do get Linux installed it's going to run slower and you won't be able to 3D game well because your running it off the external drive. Internal drives are much faster.

I know your worried about messing with your boot drive, but if you simply take a new external drive and

1: Disk Utility Erase wtih Zero Erase and format HFS+ journaled.

2: Download and use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your OS X boot drive to the external drive

3: Hold option while booting to boot from the clone and Disk Utility > Repair Permisisons on both.

4: Disconnect the drive and keep in a safe place.

You can mess around with your boot drive all you want, because if you screwup you can always hold option and boot from the clone. Get online, get help, even erase all your mess and reverse clone back onto the original drive no sweat using Disk Utility and Carbon Copy Cloner while booted from the clone.

Mrguidogenio wrote:

It'll take a few minutes for the CD to boot, but you should eventually be presented with the option to try Ubuntu or install it on your computer.

The problem is that After the few minutes it gives me the error I posted at the first post of the thread. Will ReFIt solve this?

It's because you used a 11.04 install cd. You need to use a 10.10 install cd per the site instructions and then once 10.10 is installed, the Software update in Ubuntu you can upgrade to 11.04

You can use OS X Disk Utility to burn a ISO of 10.10 to disk.

Also you have a 64bit machine, so your going to need the 64bit OS of 10.10 for desktop.

Yes, rEFIt will solve the BIOS/EFI issue so you can install Linux on a Mac.

Hi,

I have booth a macbook pro with a ssd drive and I wold like to know if my configuration is compatible with linux. I have tryed to start my machine with a ubuntu cd (vertion 10.10 or 11.04) but I get this message : unable to find a medium containing a live file system

I don't know if the lion recents machine with mac os x lion isen't compatible with linux.

tanks for your help

Best regards

Battant