Author: DarkKnightH20
Ubuntu Uninstall Guide Also Appended to End of Post

When I first heard about the Ubuntu Netbook Remix distro, I was excited. I thought to myself “Hey, Ubuntu is an awesome operating system so I’m sure the netbook-rendition will be just as good”. Well, I have mixed feelings about this operating system right now, but overall it’s still good.

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The installation was a breeze. You simply write Ubuntu to a USB drive using the suggested program, then during reboot you hit F2 to load BIOS. In the BIOS, you must change the boot order so that the USB boots up before the harddrive, then save the settings & quit. The USB will now be read by the computer during bootup, causing the installation to be triggered. You have the option to load the OS without installing it, as well as some other features — and you can also just install the OS right away too. This is fast AND easy. A++ to Ubuntu for the initial installation…Or is it really that easy? MORE on why I wrote that, later!

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The interface starts out in the Ubuntu Netbook Desktop-mode. This, to me, is not the most attractive of interfaces (but not ugly)…Usability-wise, it works. Icons are large and navigation is simplified. Categories that represent the standard Gnome menus are on the side and loads of software comes pre-installed. This would make anyone happy who just wants pure convenience. I’m picky, however, and wanted a normal Ubuntu Desktop too, which can be selected very easily via System -> Preferences -> Switch Desktop Mode…So that’s good. I plan on switching back-and-forth between the two. In the netbook interface, heavy alteration took place to help save on pixels being used. You truly get the most out of your small screen in this sense. They want those pixels to not go to waste! Check out this picture for an example–

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Notice how there are small icons in the top left corner? These each represent windows that have open. This version of Ubuntu will also alter the size of windows that are opened using “Maximus”. This is to assist those with small resolutions so that they don’t have too much difficulty using large interfaced-apps or dealing with big dialog windows/message boxes.

Hardware Used

If you’re curious about my hardware, I’m running an Atom n280 (1.66ghz), 160GB HDD, 1GB of DDR2 800 ram, and Atheros (AR9285) for Wireless and Wired internet. I have a 2GB RAM module coming in the mail, but to be honest, this isn’t even necessary. Everything runs without a hiccup. I have yet to need the additional ram. Ubuntu Netbook Remix has been fast and stable — except for one random crash when using Firefox. It happened for on particular reason. I just surfed for a bit and then my machine locked up. It hasn’t happened since, however…and no, it was not my hardware’s fault 🙂

I mentioned earlier that Ubuntu Netbook Remix almost had an A++ for easy installation. Well, everything did NOT work out of the box. Most things did, but not everything. WIFI and ethernet, for example, did not work without having to install 5 or so files in a specific order, then restart. This requires an additional computer and USB port because of this…Or, if you are dual booting, then a switch over to the other operating system, download the files, then restart and find+install them using Ubuntu (assuming you allow Ubuntu access). For a list of computers that have been tested, as well as possible solutions to problems your computer’s specific model may have, Here.

If you’re not going to be using the netbook interface and still want Ubuntu, then this really isn’t for you…if you have space for all the extras that a normal Ubuntu distro has. You’ll miss some of the missing tools and so forth, I guarantee it. Besides, you can make normal Ubuntu display the same type of interface as the Netbook Remix. It isn’t as easy as changing to desktop mode and back through a simple click or two like in Ubuntu Netbook Remix, but if you really want the interface, it can be done…I personally prefer the standard Ubuntu desktop, but maybe that’s just me 😉

Miscellaneous Recommendations

A good task to perform that I would like to mention is installing GParted. Simply run sudo apt-get install gparted via terminal. It’s great for modifying partitions.

I also recommend grabbing KGrubEditor if you’re dual booting. It is KDE, and therefore will need additional packages installed for support (all of which is grabbed easily through a repository) but will work on the Gnome interface.

Depending on your computer, there is likely custom software to help it run. For my eeePC, for example, software is available to help use the shortcuts, manage battery life, etc. Check out what’s available through some nice Googling or repository searching.

Enjoy using Netbook Ubuntu Remix! Expect it to change significantly throughout its life. Also expect others to follow soon with similar solutions that deal with lack of screen space.

Update (February 3rd, 2010): Recently, I decided that I needed to remove Ubuntu Netbook Remix and GRUB from my Netbook. As you can imagine, you cannot use the commonly suggested routes that involve floppy disks and CDs (unless you have an external USB CD drive). However, I found out that it was much easier than anticipated. For those of you who have this issue follow my directions here for help! We will be deleting the Ubuntu partition and restoring your Windows MBR (master boot record). I also give suggestions on how to go about resizing your primary partition after the Ubuntu partition is deleted. Fixing the MBR is the only part that can be a bit confusing 🙂

Firstly, bootup into Windows. I use Windows XP myself. Go to Start -> Run — and type in “compmgmt.msc”. Select “Disk Management” (located in the list on the left side) and locate the partition that has Ubuntu on it. Right click on the partition and delete it! After it’s gone you’ll notice that you have a lot of free space that has not been partitioned. You will want to resize your current partition to take this space, but unfortunately Windows did not include this in their partition tool. You will need to download another program to do so. There are a lot of free programs to do this out there, of which some require you to boot up to a CD, but my favorite happens to be Partition Magic. It handles the entire procedure within Windows so no booting up to a CD is needed. As a last resort (or first resort if you don’t mind it), you can actually boot up to Ubuntu using your USB drive and resize through Ubuntu. This seems a bit weird since we just deleted Ubuntu and are not booting up to it again, but no matter…If you decide to do this method, then wait until you have removed GRUB first otherwise it will popup an error about the missing Ubuntu partition.

So…After resizing your primary partition to absorb the new free space from the deletion of the Ubuntu partition, you will want to remove GRUB. This is usually done through a Windows CD, but an even faster (and better) way to do this is via TestDisk. Download the program and extract it. Locate the WIN folder within and then open “testdisk_win.exe”. A command prompt will open. Choose “No Log”. A list of drives will be display in the next screen…Pick your drive! Next you must choose your partition type. Choose “Intel”. Now let the program do its thing. It’ll be done fast. When it completes, restart your computer. If it boots up with no issues, then congratulations, you have restored your MBR and deleted Ubuntu!

Update (September 22nd, 2010):
Here’s A Simplified Version of the Test Disk Steps:

• First Start Testdisk

• Next, Create a New Log File

• Select Your Media (Hard Drive with GRUB on it) and “Proceed”

• Select Intel

• Select MBR Code

Done! Reboot your computer and it should now be done.

Also, for partitioning your hard drive space, I recommend using the free program EASEUS Partition Master – Home Edition. It works great and is easy to use. Just make sure you know what you’re doing with it. You can end up causing very annoying issues for yourself that are difficult to fix.