Can I Try Out Ubuntu 8.04 Without Installing it?

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Ubuntu is gaining popularity as a quality operating system, with users expressing enthusiasm for its features and the potential to replace Windows XP. However, some users face challenges, particularly with hardware compatibility, citing issues with specific sound cards like the Creative X-Fi and ATI video card drivers, which have caused system corruption. The lack of driver support for certain hardware components is a significant drawback for some users. The Wubi installer, which allows Ubuntu to be installed within a Windows environment without repartitioning, is highlighted as a convenient option for those hesitant to fully commit. Discussions also touch on Ubuntu's boot time, with some users reporting slower boot times compared to Windows XP and FreeBSD, while others have managed to achieve competitive boot speeds. Overall, Ubuntu is praised for its open-source nature and the community's support, despite some ongoing hardware driver challenges.
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http://www.ubuntu.com/

Downloading right now, although servers are getting hammered at the moment. I'm hoping to virtualize my XP desktop here at work and format this machine with Ubuntu.
 
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Sweet, ubuntu is an excellent OS.

The only drawback for me is a lack of drivers for a couple of things. That's why I'm forced to use XP.
 
waht said:
Sweet, ubuntu is an excellent OS.

The only drawback for me is a lack of drivers for a couple of things. That's why I'm forced to use XP.

What hardware components are you having trouble with?
 
I'm having issues with x-fi sound card. There is no Linux support whatsoever. But that's my fault because I got the card before I got into Linux. Also having issues with ATI video card drivers that actually corrupted the whole OS on many occasions.
 
Dang it, I ordered a CD and got it a while back and now its outdated. Guess I should get another. Love freeware/open source/etc.
 
If you want to give it a try the excellent wubi is now included on the CD.
It installs Ubuntu into a file on your windows disk and adds it as a boot option to windows, no need to repartition.
 
waht said:
I'm having issues with x-fi sound card. There is no Linux support whatsoever. But that's my fault because I got the card before I got into Linux. Also having issues with ATI video card drivers that actually corrupted the whole OS on many occasions.

what ATI chipset are you running? Did the Open source drivers work?
 
vincentm said:
what ATI chipset are you running? Did the Open source drivers work?

The pretty old X800 chipset. The open source drivers fail, and corrupt the OS even after rolling them back. But that's not that critical. I just needed the sound.
 
  • #10
it used to be really bad having an ATi card but what you should do is install envy, and install the proper propriotary drivers much better support and with the ATi control panel is good.

Its a real pity that creative won't give open hardware specifactions of the x-fi for linux support. it works in OSS mode but OSS is really old now. i still just have a creatice audigy 2zs which does the job. a lot of the new creative xfi etc... its like i duno pointless you have to have the best speakers and equipment to notice the difference. and really all you get is a fancy control panel.

i duno sick of windows always demanding more and more new hardware. With ubuntu your computer won't ever die! :D

plus in hardy herron.. the done a lot of the work on the server edition its really good aparently am gona upgrade my server next week i think ijust use it as a fileserver and subversion. gona make it into a myth box eventualy
 
  • #11
I've been using ubuntu for a while now. One problem that seems to be present in all releases (including hardy) is that the boot time is poor. I use windows xp and freeBSD aswel and they both beat ubuntu when it comes to boot time. Anyone have any ideas?
 
  • #12
Ed Aboud said:
I've been using ubuntu for a while now. One problem that seems to be present in all releases (including hardy) is that the boot time is poor. I use windows xp and freeBSD aswel and they both beat ubuntu when it comes to boot time. Anyone have any ideas?

No I have had no problems with Ubuntu boot times. I had it booting in the same time as xp, about 30 seconds on my old machine (and it was pretty slow, so that was a pretty good boot time).

I can believe that FreeBSD can beat Ubuntu for boots though. Simply don't load unnecessary modules and it won't take long. I also had fast boots from Slackware because there very readable init script was easy to edit to cut out loading anything unnecessary.
 
  • #13
I got free Ubuntu CDs from their site, but I've yet to install it.
 
  • #14
joeseppe said:
I got free Ubuntu CDs from their site, but I've yet to install it.

The CDs also run in live mode where it will boot from the CD and run a full system in ram so you can try it out without having to actaully install it.
 
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