Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Installing Ubuntu server via USB key

I had to install Ubuntu server edition on my home server and for some reason, the normal procedure I used didn't work. For a wide variety of linux liveCD there is a free Windows and Linux utility called Unetbootin that converts a liveCD to a bootable USB key:
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

In the case of Ubuntu Server edition, the installer could not find the CD content. The path to the repositories seemed to differ from what the installer was looking for.

I found an second method after searching a bit. It involves downloading the installer by hand, and copying the iso file directly to the USB key. The files are available here:
http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/intrepid/main/installer-i386/current/images/hd-media/
(Get the kernel, vmlinuz, and the compressed image, initrd.gz)

Using Unetbootin, make a Custom USB key, selecting vmlinuz as the kernel and
initrd.gz as initrd.

Once the USB key is created, simply copy the iso file to the root of the USB key.

Reboot. The installer should see the iso and mount it.

References:

Thursday, December 04, 2008

My favorites Tolkien Quotes

Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends.
Gandalf, The Lord Of the Rings, Book Four, Chapter One

Á lelya séressë! Lá equen: áva nainuvalyë; an lá ilyë níreli nar úmiéo.
(Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil)
Gandalf, The Lord Of the Rings

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
Thorin Oakenshield on his deathbed

"War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend..."
Faramir, "The Two Towers"

‘I wish it need not have have happened in my time,’ said Frodo.
‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.’
Fellowship of the Ring, Second chapter,"The Shadow of the Past"

"Toss me... but dont tell the elf."
Gimli, Two Towers