Linux on Macbook

Question

Linux on Macbook

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with running Linux (Ubuntu, to be exact) on MacBook.
I have downloaded the LiveCD and tried to boot from it but then it froze.

I just wanted to test out Linux as I have never used it before.

Any suggestions?

White Macbook 2GhZ Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Feb 11, 2007 6:04 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Donnutt

Level 1

36 points

Feb 11, 2007 6:04 AM in response to Dom_Harrington

I have tried to boot ubuntu, off the live CD it worked fine. when I tried installing however, it hung at "configuring X". I believe it has something to do with the lack of video drivers.

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Answer 2

Feb 11, 2007 6:13 AM in response to Donnutt

Mmmm did you use rEFIt to boot from it? If not what did you use?
I heard it is because it is using elilo to boot instead of LILO (summit to do with graphics) but dont have a clue how to change it!

Anyone else help?

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Answer 3

MleB

Level 1

80 points

Feb 11, 2007 8:11 AM in response to Dom_Harrington

Parallels (or VMware Fusion) first, then install Linux in virtualization?

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Answer 4

Feb 11, 2007 8:17 AM in response to MleB

Mmmm downloading VMWare Fusion as we speak, I wasnt aware that there was a freeware version out there! 😀
Thanks alot and ill let you know if it works!

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Answer 5

Feb 11, 2007 9:44 AM in response to Dom_Harrington

I installed Fedora, Ubuntu, Kubuntu and SDEL
at our Macpro cluster. It works and I do not see
why portables would be different.
Actually, I just saw an impressive
video on YouTube of a Macbook running Ubuntu and
Beryl. Quite impressive to see GMA950 working
that well.

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Answer 6

Feb 11, 2007 1:17 PM in response to Dom_Harrington

VMWare fusion is not freeware, it is a beta version. The beta will expire shortly after the commercial product is released. VMWare may release a Mac version of their free VMWare player, but they have not announced such a product yet.

Parallels is the only commercial VM product currently available for the Mac. Release date for Fusion has not yet been officially announced. Parallels retails for about $80 US, but can be found for much less at retail; expect Fusion to retail around $200 US, based upon pricing of their product on other platforms. For a free solution, look at bochs - it won't be as fast as fusion or Parallels, but it is free.

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Answer 7

Feb 11, 2007 2:05 PM in response to MleB

Thanks, have installed in virtualisation and works well.
But is there any way now that I can boot from the linux I have installed? Otherwise I will have to be runnin 2 OSs at once and this is quite CPU intensive!

Let me know.

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Answer 8

3spades

Level 1

45 points

Feb 11, 2007 3:10 PM in response to Dom_Harrington

http://wiki.debian.org/MacBook for debian, if you search on ubuntu.com or it's forums there should be a guide for ubuntu as well.

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Answer 9

MleB

Level 1

80 points

Feb 11, 2007 3:57 PM in response to Dom_Harrington

Well, given that Dom wanted to 'try out' Linux and Fusion lets him do that (albeit as a Beta and will soon end as 'free' product) i thought it was a better, cheaper solution to what was wanted.

If Dom likes Ubuntu or any other flavour of Linux, maybe he'll buy into Fusion when it goes Gold or then get Parallels. Either way, Dom has done what he wanted to do.

Incidentally, the Vista EULA apparently makes illegal the virtualization of some of its versions - including Basic....

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Answer 10

Feb 11, 2007 4:01 PM in response to MleB

Thanks for your help everyone, but now is there a way to make the VMware installation of linux bootable? so I dont always have to be running mac os x?

Thanks.

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Answer 11

MleB

Level 1

80 points

Feb 12, 2007 5:36 AM in response to Dom_Harrington

Think not.

Fusion is a program running on OSX, with the Linux distro running inside Fusion. Ditto when using Parallels.

Boot Camp only works for WinOS apparently, so no luck there.

I don't know that there's any chance of simply partitioning the HDD and installing Linux (as is the case with PCs) so looks like you'll have to run OSX even when you don't need to.

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