My last project of the last year was to get ready as a linux user. All my setup in OSX was targeting toward ‘getting used to using terminal,’ and after all, I couldn’t wait to move to Linux.

Yeah. I have only Apple computers (PowerPC, MBP 4,1, MBP 8,1) , and after a long time as a Apple user, I feel very much tired of how the apple system becomes ‘closed.’

I know a lot of people might argue about this, but I would like to be able to configure my own environment that follows users’ preference, not something that a system offers for the users to fit into.

I though linux is perfect for that,  although after some time of struggling to install, and having a scary moment that I needed  to ‘open up’ my laptop, and now all my three old and new apple computers have both osx and linux!!! yay!!

Alright. so I would like to briefly talk about how I installed it, and what, and of course, everyone can find this from ubuntu forum with better detailed explanations. I deeply admire those people who give this document to everyone.

 Macbook pro 4,1 -> Ubuntu 11.10

For the Macbook pro 4,1; I installed Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot (http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/11.10/release/) . Well, before I found this ‘mac’ specified version, I installed like… 5 different versions, and threw away all cds and dvds that I experimented.

So for you, this will be helpful. I downloaded ubuntu-11.10-desktop-amd64+mac.iso .

My CD room of the computer is broken. But i was able to install it with my usb stick. The thing is that Ubuntu forum explains how to install with USB. But somehow it was not working (failing to boot from there properly.) After a while of googling, I found this application for window. (yeah. I also have a window installed with VMware, this is just to do ‘online banking’ from Korean banks…!!)

This progam is called UFDISK. (download : http://goo.gl/UYitG)

You put your usb stick into the port, and run this. (backup all your files before) then you push ‘Auto run’ . Select your iso file, and run it. Then done!!

Then you need to install ‘ReFit’ (http://refit.sourceforge.net/)

After install, open the terminal and type

sudo sh /efi/refit/enable-always.sh

then you will see this when you boot,

you can select your usb to boot it.

Some remarks on Refit

When you first put your usb (or cd) and run REFit, you will see the login window that you can choose from where to boot. Before you choose, at the bottom part, there are some menus like shell script.. I don’t remember by heart right now, and choose the second one, and run. This will make everything suitable to boot. Then ‘shut down’ once, and then on next boot, choose your booting harddrive.

Make sure you are connected to internet (ethernet connection), and for more help, http://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2011/10/ubuntu-1110-in-macbook-pro.html

 Macbook pro 8,2 -> Ubuntu 11.04

here, I needed to have both CD, and USB in order to boot properly. Go here http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/11.04/release/ download ubuntu-11.04-desktop-amd64+mac.iso

For the procedure for usb, please look up, and for burning CD, just to burn with DiskUtility on osx. (I have ‘lion’ installed)

Also you need REFit. (also look up for the explanation and download) On lion, I had a hard time for this to run. After few times of reinstalling, it was just working. I cannot explain what it was.. but it works!

Alright. Then put usb and CD together. when Refit login window, you will only see two linux install. Choose the first one, and run the install.

Make sure you check this site : https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MacBookPro8-1/Natty for more help and additional install.

Some remarks :

For ubuntu 11.10, I made two partitions for ubuntu, one as root(/), and one as /home. (except for swap disk) this was working fine. But on ubuntu 11.04, this was not working. (trouble on booting with Refit.) so do not make seperate partitions for your ubuntu. just make one, (again, except for swap disk)

Hope this helps. well, I had a hard time figuring out all. I might have missed some important part that I was struggling. Then I will update later on.

Now I have Ubuntu working with ‘awesome’ window manager. Good bye mouse!

**28.02.2012 updated:

If you have an issue with rEFit regarding OSX security setting, check this page. It will guide you the way.

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3488641&group_id=161917&atid=821764