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liquidsilver6840 · Apr 10, 2007, 08:14 PM

Can someone help me find a download for a Linux Live CD to run on my CoreDuo MacBook? Thanks!

ghporter · Apr 10, 2007, 09:59 PM

Which distribution? You can run any x86 Linux on a Core Duo MacBook, and there are a bunch of them with Live CDs. Here's a nice list to examine. I like Knoppix's live functionality.

liquidsilver6840 · Apr 10, 2007, 10:12 PM

Ok.. I thought that it had to be a special version for Mac or something... If I run a Linux Live CD, would I be able to perform normal tasks like email, chat, etc. Also, can I use the MacBook's airport?

I'm wondering because my MacBook's hard drive has burned twice and I had to wait for a couple of months until the new hard drive got here. A couple of months without my main computer sucks... If it happends again, which will not happend with God's help xD, I'll be prepared!

Thanks a lot!

mfbernstein · Apr 10, 2007, 10:26 PM

There's not really a particular Mac-oriented distribution, no. Yes, Linux live CD distributions, like the Ubuntu one I linked to in the other thread typically include e-mail, AIM, web-browser, word-processor and so forth. Unfortunately, driver support can be an issue. Your MacBook's wireless can be used, but it will take some work, and may require some steps not possible with a Live CD.

All that said, it won't be anywhere as polished or as easy as the standard Mac experience. Having 2 hard drives fail in a row is quite unlucky, but also rather uncommon. A better long-term solution would be to keep a bootable external hard drive as backup. Live CDs have their uses, but they're mostly helpful as a stopgap measure.

liquidsilver6840 · Apr 10, 2007, 10:32 PM

I'm going to start saving up to get a bootable drive...
Ok.. So I'm downloading a Live CD.. When I finally burn the data on to a CD how do I make it boot?
Also.. When I finish using the Live CD.. How do I change to boot from the hard drive?

mfbernstein · Apr 10, 2007, 10:41 PM

To boot from the CD, hold down the C key (or hold down the option key, and select the CD icon). To boot from the hard drive, you simply don't hold down the C key.

liquidsilver6840 · Apr 10, 2007, 10:54 PM

Thanks a lot.. I'm currently downloading the DVD version of Knoppix... I can record it onto a DVD-RW right?

TheoCryst · Apr 11, 2007, 01:12 AM

Assuming you have a Superdrive, then yes. Just use Disk Utility to burn the ISO to a disk. Personally I suggest trying Ubuntu if it's your first plunge into the wild world of Linux, though Knoppix isn't bad either. If you're already downloading the Knoppix DVD, go ahead and use that.

liquidsilver6840 · Apr 11, 2007, 12:14 PM

I don't have a Superdrive... Although my friend's mac has one... She can burn it for me xD..

liquidsilver6840 · Apr 15, 2007, 12:13 PM

Ok.. So I downloaded Ubuntu instead of Knoppix.. I burned onto a CD and booted the MacBook with the CD. The only problem is that when I select Start or install the Ubuntu logo apears with like a processing bar and then the screen goes black and a white under score sits there blinking.... What should I do?

Thanks!

tavin64 · Apr 22, 2007, 04:13 PM

A brand new version of ubuntu was released about 3 days ago, 7.04. I tried it on my macbook and it detects everything fine. The only thing is that it is going to run at a resolution lower than 1280x800. Easiest way to fix this if you still just want to run it through the live cd is to do the following command in the terminal in ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install 915resolution
password: root

It will then download a small file and install it then all you have to do is restart X server by doing ctrl+alt+delete. Then you will get out of the gnome session and restart again and you will have the right resolution.

Also the problem you are seeing is a kernal panic, macbooks have an issue with the 2.6 kernel and acpi so what you need to do is the following:
When you first load up the ubuntu live cd and you see the ubuntu logo the Option 1 to start Ubuntu hit F6, (if your num lock key lights up hit FN+F6 instead). Then you will see a cursor at the bottom of the screen next to some commands. Type the following command:

If you have a 1.83GHz macbook: lpj=7330000
If you have a 2.0GHz macook: lpj=8000000

After doing that just hit enter and system will boot normally with no hangups. If you decide to install Ubuntu with the live cd that command will be automatically added to the kernel boot options so you wont have to type it ever again. The original CD macbooks use an atheros chipset which is completely supported in the linux madwifi driver so you dont have to worry about it not working correctly.