Recycled Computing

Getting Xubuntu Linux Up and Running on Your Aging Mac

- 2008.06.04

I want to begin by saying that what I love about the Mac experience is its operating system. Just the iTunes application is worth the price of admission. (A built in database for your music collection - brilliant!) And I don't know how many times I've looked at some neat ultraportable and said - "That would be really neat, except you would have to use Windows." And that takes it right off the table.

However, occasionally I am given a piece of Windows hardware. It usually doesn't work, and it's owner has moved on to another computer. I play with it for a while and then run back to the comfort of computing with my Macs. But I can't help but wonder what it would be like to use some of the ultraportable computers in the PC market with a decent operating system.

In short, I began to think about Linux. And in between adding my analog records and cassette tapes to my iTunes library, I decided to have a little fun. By a little fun, I mean putting a third operating system on the mighty Pismo.

I know that there is some collective groaning out there. When you can run Mac OS X 10.4.11 (Tiger) or 9.2.1, why would you need something else? As my boss said, when you have the best OS, why fiddle with things?

But it's mainly 'cause I can, I replied. Besides, the world of Mac is moving on, and I can't run Leopard on my Pismo unless I put in a G4 processor. I can't replace the video card, and I already have to turn the video display down to thousands of colors to run Cover Flow in iTunes. Zounds!

You can see that Steverino and the boys at Cupertino are marching to the beat of the Intel chip and are going to leave PowerPC in the rearview. What am I going to do when the Mac OS abandons me and I still want to use the trusty Pismo?

What I need is a new operating system that is slim, trim, and still viable.

I know that I am thinking way, way ahead, but what the heck.

If you're familiar with Linux and know all about the KDE and Gnome systems and the many various flavors that Linux comes in, feel free to ignore my ignorant ramblings. Linux is an Open Source operating system, and it started as a sort of bare bones platform. KDE and Gnome started as efforts to add some GUI polish to Linux.

Ubuntu Linux got my attention as a version of Linux that can be installed on PowerPC Macs. Mr. Mike, our hardware guru, recommended that I try Xubuntu, a version of Ubuntu that is based on the Xkce system that is sort of a bare bones edition of Linux, which might be good for putting on my G3 Pismo. Mike ripped me a copy of Xubuntu, and I tried to install it.

Making It Work

Linux wants a different type of hard drive partition than the HFS+ format that Macs use. After several misguided attempts to adjust my hard drive while running from the Xubuntu CD, I finally cloned my OS X system to my backup hard drive. I then repartitioned the Pismo's drive. I had Disc Utility put OS X in the first partition and left an area for "Free Space". According to Mike, Linux knows what to do with "Free Space".

With my hard drive ready, I cloned my OS X system back from my backup (thank you, Carbon Copy Cloner) and then booted up the Pismo with the Xubuntu CD. Installation worked. However, when I went to boot up Xubuntu, I kept getting an input/output error. Much geek head shaking went on.

I took home a copy of Ubuntu to see if that would install. Over the weekend, while one of my sons visited Barnes and Nobles (yes, teenagers who like books still exist), I looked over some of the Ubuntu books in the computer section. Since most Linux users are converting from Windows (I wonder why?), the books I skimmed had little to no advice for Mac users. However, I did find some help in a text that recommended I install the Free Space first and then install the Mac OS X next. This makes sense, in that the Linux bootstrapper will be first in line. Zounds!

I had to reclone and repartition and reinstall, but in the end it worked. I now have a PowerBook that uses Mac OS 9, OS X and Xubuntu. It is a triple boot machine!

Now I have to figure out how to make Xubuntu work. I'll report back.

Join us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

Recent Recycled Computing Columns

Adventures in Intel Mac Land, Part 2, 2012.01.09. One big advantage of an Intel Mac is the ability to run Google's fast and easy Chrome browser.
Adventures in Intel Mac Land, Part 1, 2012.01.06. With its dual-core Intel processor, the MacBook rips music and video far faster than a G4 ever could.
Blackbird MacBook, 2012.01.03. The PowerBook G4 is dead. Time to go with a black 13.3" MacBook and enter the Mac's Intel Age.
More in the Recycled Computing index.

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: Mac IIfx, introduced 1990.03.19. This 'wicked fast' 40 MHz Mac trumped the 33 MHz DOS world.
February 14 in LEM history: 98: A perfect compact Mac - 00: Extended computer warranties worth the cost? - Making your PC work with your Mac - 01: Customize Microsoft Word - 02: Quadra revives a passion for computing - 03: Real world performance - DIY Pismo screen replacement - Best Mac for writing - 03: Fastest browser on the Mac - 06: 15" MacBook Pro - Impressions of a newly acquired Lisa - Finding and using free WiFi - Apple should liberate OS 9 - 07: New Mac mini cheaper than upgrading a Power Mac - 08: Falling in love with OS X
Support Low End Mac

Recent Deals

About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact

Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2012 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iPad iPhone, iMac, iPod, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.
Advice is presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Email may be published at our discretion unless marked "not for publication"; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.

Custom Search

Follow Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac on Facebook

Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.

Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.

Affiliates

Amazon.com
The Apple Store
The iTunes Store
PC Connection Express
GainSaver
Parallels Desktop for Mac
eBay