InstallerForWindows
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| ##(see the SpecSpec for an explanation) | '''Launchpad Entry''': UbuntuSpec:foo * '''Created''': [[Date(2005-10-25T15:45:54Z)]] * '''Contributors''': HenrikOmma * '''Packages affected''': * '''See also''': |
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| * Created: [[Date(2005-10-06T21:16:48Z)]] by JaneWeideman * Priority: NeedsPriority * People: NeedsLead, NeedsSecond * Contributors: JaneWeideman * Interested: * Status: UbzSpecification, BrainDump (then DraftSpecification then EditedSpecification then ApprovedSpecification), DistroSpecification * Branch: UbuntuTrack * Malone bug: * Packages affected: * Depends: * Dependents: [[FullSearch()]] * BoF sessions: none yet |
'''Note:''' spec revamped for Feisty. Related specs exist in the wiki and LP for specific technical solutions. Please keep this spec neutral until a technical approach has been selected. |
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| Installer for Windows -Ubuntu installer forWindows See InstallationUbuntuFromWindows | A simple install procedure for Ubuntu initiated in Windows. |
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| Windows Vista is coming soon, and Dapper drake should be released just before. Microsoft is likely to give a windows installer for vista, so people can install Windows Vista on top of Windows XP. We have to be able to provide the same feature. | |
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| == Use cases == * John wants to install Ubuntu on top of his Windows OS. * Sarah wants to install Ubuntu on the free space (not partitioned) she has on her disk, and keep Windows. * Andy wants to install Ubuntu on the free space he has on his C: drive (partition), and keep Windows. |
Windows users are often more comfortable with downloading a small ubuntu.setup.exe file than downloading and burning an ISO. Some laptops do not have a CD drive and many systems are configured to boot from the HD first. == Use Cases == |
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| Most people using Windows didn't install it themselves. They might have bought their computer with the OS included. They usually don't know about anything. | |
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| They also usually have no free space for a new partition, but a lot of free space on their primary partition. | Select the most suitable technical solution. |
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| '''TODO: ''' Select from one of several possible technical solutions. === Windows installers for Ubuntu === Several Windows-based installers for Linux (including Ubuntu) have appeared recently, each using different methods. The common goal of these is to provide a simple path to Ubuntu that starts with downloading a small executable installer, and removes the need to use a CD. The three main approaches are: 1. '''Repartition and install''' * downloads packages or ISO * an entry in the Windows bootloader is created * reboot to start an installer (text-based, graphical or Live CD based) asking the usual questions * The disk is resized or free space is used (ie. normal install) * GRUB is installed * Boot again to start Ubuntu * Next time you start Windows the entry from the Windows bootloader * Implementation: [http://goodbye-microsoft.com/ win32-loader], [http://instlux.sourceforge.net/ instlux] 2. '''Install on a loop mounted disk image''' * downloads packages or ISO * Gathers information from Windows and simply asks for a user name and password * Adds Ubuntu entry to the Windows bootloader * Reboots to start an install process (non-interactive) * Reboot again to start Ubuntu (or Windows) * Painless removal of Ubuntu of desired * Implementations: [http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup/wubi/en-US/index.html Wubi] 3. '''Install a virtual machine''' * Installer contains a copy of Virtualbox and downloads a pre-made virtual machine of Ubuntu * Simple NSIS install and launch VM directly without reboot * Simple unistall * Has to share resources so performance will be reduced and hardware support may be limited * Implementations: [http://www.virtualbox.org/ Virtualbox], [http://www.h7.dion.ne.jp/~qemu-win/ QUEMU] An overview of existing implementations follows. === win32-loader === '''Summary:''' Download a small executable which downloads the netboot files, modifies the NT bootloader and reboots. '''Links:''' http://goodbye-microsoft.com/ ==== Advantages ==== * Fast download in first installer stage (netboot stuff only) * A real ubuntu install on a real partition ==== Disadvantages ==== * Mistakenly grabbed the 64-bit version on a 32-bit virtual system and failed to boot (admittedly an odd test case) * Leaves the bootloader behind * No accessibility support in alternate installer * Does not work with Vista === instlux === '''Summary:''' same principle as win32-loader, but a slightly cleaner implementation usability-wise. ==== Advantages ==== * Fast download in first installer stage (netboot versions) * A real ubuntu install on a real partition * Cleans up the NT bootloader after install ==== Disadvantages ==== * Text-based install (could use graphical d-i) * No accessibility support in alternate installer * Does not work with Vista === Wubi === '''Summary:''' An Ubuntu community project the ''Windows Ubuntu Installer'' uses method 2, a look mounted disk. Download a simple .exe file which launches an NSIS installer. It asks for your user name and password and reboots to install. Ubuntu is actually installed on a loop-mounted drive stared as an image file within the Windows file system. Previously known as 'install.exe' in the wiki. '''Links:''' [http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup website], [http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=234 forum], [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe wiki] http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup/wubi/en-US/screenshots/wubi3.jpg ==== Advantages ==== * No disk resizing or partitioning required * Easy to remove Ubuntu from the system * Runs at native speeds using all system resources (provided the loop mounting is efficient) * Asks very few questions during the install as it gathers info from Windows. === Disadvantages === * Does not yet work with Vista * Uses alternate disc to install from * Fixed size disc image (would be nice to have a dynamic image or manual resize option) ==== Work oustanding ==== * Needs a dash of usplash in a few places * Needs a graphical installer front-end to d-i * Better post-install management features. A control panel running in windows that lets you resize discs, make backups, select between different installed systems ==== Outsanding questions ==== * How efficient is the loop mounted drive? * How easy would it be to move such an install out from under windows to a separate partition (perhaps an improved version of the migration tool could be used?) === VirtualBox === '''Summary:''' The GPL version of Virtualbox can be packaged and distributed on the net and on 3rd party CDs. '''Link:''' http://www.virtualbox.org/ ==== Advantages ==== * Simple install with no need to reboot * Simple unistall * Dynamic disk images that lets users install and explore more software * Runs in parallel with the Windows session, allowing you to switch back and forth * Several distro flavours can be installed simultaneously * Runs under Vista ==== Disadvantages ==== * Poor peformance * Driver problems, no support for Beryl/Compiz * GPL version lacks some features like USB support |
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| === Code === | Depends on the design choice. |
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| === Data preservation and migration === | == Outstanding Issues == |
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| * Documents, photos, music files, etc. - perhaps offer automatic conversion during migration? * Bookmarks (from IE, Mozilla, Firefox, Opera, etc.) * Desktop wallpaper * Screensaver settings * Addressbook (via outlook, web browser, etc.) * Passwords and account information * iTunes and other consumer application settings == Outstanding issues == |
Pick a design. |
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| * Collect software manifest on Windows (either from registry or the user's menu), then do lookup of functional equivalents in Ubuntu and offer to automatically install them | Discuss at UDS Seville. ---- CategorySpec |
Launchpad Entry: foo
Created: Date(2005-10-25T15:45:54Z)
Contributors: HenrikOmma
Packages affected:
See also:
Note: spec revamped for Feisty. Related specs exist in the wiki and LP for specific technical solutions. Please keep this spec neutral until a technical approach has been selected.
Summary
A simple install procedure for Ubuntu initiated in Windows.
Rationale
Windows users are often more comfortable with downloading a small ubuntu.setup.exe file than downloading and burning an ISO. Some laptops do not have a CD drive and many systems are configured to boot from the HD first.
Use Cases
Scope
Select the most suitable technical solution.
Design
TODO: Select from one of several possible technical solutions.
Windows installers for Ubuntu
Several Windows-based installers for Linux (including Ubuntu) have appeared recently, each using different methods. The common goal of these is to provide a simple path to Ubuntu that starts with downloading a small executable installer, and removes the need to use a CD. The three main approaches are:
Repartition and install
- downloads packages or ISO
- an entry in the Windows bootloader is created
- reboot to start an installer (text-based, graphical or Live CD based) asking the usual questions
- The disk is resized or free space is used (ie. normal install)
- GRUB is installed
- Boot again to start Ubuntu
- Next time you start Windows the entry from the Windows bootloader
Implementation: [http://goodbye-microsoft.com/ win32-loader], [http://instlux.sourceforge.net/ instlux]
Install on a loop mounted disk image
- downloads packages or ISO
- Gathers information from Windows and simply asks for a user name and password
- Adds Ubuntu entry to the Windows bootloader
- Reboots to start an install process (non-interactive)
- Reboot again to start Ubuntu (or Windows)
- Painless removal of Ubuntu of desired
Implementations: [http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup/wubi/en-US/index.html Wubi]
Install a virtual machine
- Installer contains a copy of Virtualbox and downloads a pre-made virtual machine of Ubuntu
- Simple NSIS install and launch VM directly without reboot
- Simple unistall
- Has to share resources so performance will be reduced and hardware support may be limited
Implementations: [http://www.virtualbox.org/ Virtualbox], [http://www.h7.dion.ne.jp/~qemu-win/ QUEMU]
An overview of existing implementations follows.
win32-loader
Summary: Download a small executable which downloads the netboot files, modifies the NT bootloader and reboots.
Links: http://goodbye-microsoft.com/
Advantages
- Fast download in first installer stage (netboot stuff only)
- A real ubuntu install on a real partition
Disadvantages
- Mistakenly grabbed the 64-bit version on a 32-bit virtual system and failed to boot (admittedly an odd test case)
- Leaves the bootloader behind
- No accessibility support in alternate installer
- Does not work with Vista
instlux
Summary: same principle as win32-loader, but a slightly cleaner implementation usability-wise.
Advantages
- Fast download in first installer stage (netboot versions)
- A real ubuntu install on a real partition
- Cleans up the NT bootloader after install
Disadvantages
- Text-based install (could use graphical d-i)
- No accessibility support in alternate installer
- Does not work with Vista
Wubi
Summary: An Ubuntu community project the Windows Ubuntu Installer uses method 2, a look mounted disk. Download a simple .exe file which launches an NSIS installer. It asks for your user name and password and reboots to install. Ubuntu is actually installed on a loop-mounted drive stared as an image file within the Windows file system. Previously known as 'install.exe' in the wiki.
Links: [http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup website], [http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=234 forum], [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe wiki]
http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup/wubi/en-US/screenshots/wubi3.jpg
Advantages
- No disk resizing or partitioning required
- Easy to remove Ubuntu from the system
- Runs at native speeds using all system resources (provided the loop mounting is efficient)
- Asks very few questions during the install as it gathers info from Windows.
Disadvantages
- Does not yet work with Vista
- Uses alternate disc to install from
- Fixed size disc image (would be nice to have a dynamic image or manual resize option)
Work oustanding
- Needs a dash of usplash in a few places
- Needs a graphical installer front-end to d-i
- Better post-install management features. A control panel running in windows that lets you resize discs, make backups, select between different installed systems
Outsanding questions
- How efficient is the loop mounted drive?
- How easy would it be to move such an install out from under windows to a separate partition (perhaps an improved version of the migration tool could be used?)
VirtualBox
Summary: The GPL version of Virtualbox can be packaged and distributed on the net and on 3rd party CDs.
Link: http://www.virtualbox.org/
Advantages
- Simple install with no need to reboot
- Simple unistall
- Dynamic disk images that lets users install and explore more software
- Runs in parallel with the Windows session, allowing you to switch back and forth
- Several distro flavours can be installed simultaneously
- Runs under Vista
Disadvantages
- Poor peformance
- Driver problems, no support for Beryl/Compiz
- GPL version lacks some features like USB support
Implementation
Depends on the design choice.
Outstanding Issues
Pick a design.
BoF agenda and discussion
Discuss at UDS Seville.
InstallerForWindows (last edited 2008-08-06 16:32:01 by localhost)