Latest update: 4 aug 2008

For recapping my findings, I wrote up a small article on how to install Linux Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Desktop Edition (32bit) on a Dell XPS M1330.

Goals:
I switch from 64bit back to 32bit for compatibility reasons. There are to many apps that don’t work and are required to fit my needs. So I set up a boot partition (350MB – unencrypted) and a encrypted partition (100GB). Then I used that partition to set up LVM2 and prepared a root (10 GB), home (86 GB) and a swap partition (4 GB).

Download @ www.ubuntu.com and make sure to check “alternate cd” checkbox. It gives you the opportunity to install lvm2 on a encrypted partition.

Intro: Normally I run OSX os on Macbook Pro’s. However, since these are very pricey, and I smashed mine to smithereens,  I’ve decided to buy a cheap Dell.

  • Hardware
  • Partitioning harddisk (Dual boot: Ubuntu & OSX)
  • Installing OSX
  • Installing Ubuntu

Hardware :
Fast procs and 4 GB of Memory…

Partitioning harddisk:
describe….

Installing OSX:
I uses iAtkos_v4. This is version 10.5.2 and it installed without any problems. However I did change the BIOS setting from AHCI to ATA. Somehow after installing OSX it could not start giving me an error that is could not find its root device. Changing this after installing it booted just fine. Currently I don’t have wifi working ( Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 4965 AG or AGN Network Connection (rev 61). I probably by an other truemobile pci card.

Installing Ubuntu:
Perform regular installation.

  • Grub multiboot (Ubuntu Heron & OSX 10.5.2 Leopard)
    sudo vim /boot/grub/menu.lst
    add `#`  before hiddenmenu

    add menu option …
    title                Leopard OSX 10.5.2
    rootnoverify   (hd0,0)
    makeactive
    chainloader +1

  • thinkfinger 
    sudo apt-get install build-essential libtool libusb-dev libpam0g-dev pkg-config
sudo apt-get install pam-thinkfinger thinkfinger-tools
sudo tf-tool --acquire
sudo tf-tool --verify
sudo cp ~/.thinkfinger.bir /etc/pam_thinkfinger/your_login.bir
sudo vim /etc/pam.d/common-auth (change it like following)
auth	sufficient	pam_thinkfinger.so
auth	requisite	pam_unix.so try_first_pass nullok_secure
auth	optional	pam_smbpass.so migrate missingok

echo uinput >> /etc/modules (this will make sure that the modules loads when you reboot)
sudo modprobe uinput (to load it for now)
Restart gnome Ctrl + Alt + Backspace

For more detailed information : https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ThinkFinger
  • Mucking-up desktop

    http://openswitch.org/2008/04/28/how-to-enable-emerald-in-hardy-heron-804/

  • sudo apt-get install awn-manager-trunk awn-extras-applets-trunk
    Here is my screenshot