Step-by-step installation of Lubuntu 12.04 on a new SSD/hard disk

How-to and troubleshooting installation of Lubuntu from USB

For some reason I cannot understand, when installing Lubuntu from a USB on a brand new unformatted disk, either SSD or normal hard disk, the boot loader (grub2) will be installed on USB instead of the hard disk/SSD. Of course this is a problem, since you will always have to plug-in the same USB in order to boot your system!


This issue can be reproduced by trying to install Lubuntu 12.04 on a PC/notebook/netbook with one (1) unformatted brand new hdd/ssd. The test was performed on an Asus Eeepc 1000HE. I am not sure if this problem appears on all versions and pc's.

So, if you experience the same behaviour, you can use the following procedure:

Steps

1. Burn USB with the required image on your PC
2. Shutdown pc
3. Remove battery
4. Install SSD disk on eeepc
5. Put back the battery
6. Put USB in netbook
7. Switch on the netbook
8. Press F2 and change the boot sequence. Place the USB first
9. Press F10, save and reboot
10. Now just follow the screens in order to install Lubuntu
11. The tricky part: If you choose the first option, the boot loader (grub2) gets installed on USB instead of the SDD or HDD. In order to avoid that, choose the option "Something else" and choose from the "Device for boot loader installation" drop-down to install grub2 on /dev/sda instead of the default /dev/sdb (usb) otherwise you will always must have the usb mounted in order for the netbook to boot.

Some Lubuntu experiences

• Fast! Much faster than Ubuntu... at least 50% faster on boot and other everyday tasks
• Better UX. Although it's faster and very light they managed to build a much better user experience.
• Easier: many everyday tasks are easier to accomplish. E.g. it is much simpler to put a program's shortcut on desktop. Just right-click and do it!

Happy lubunting!