When KDE meets Ubuntu it becomes Kubuntu(try without installing- live mode)
Tags: webdev, linux, showdev
Published: 2020-02-27 12:29:13

Hi everyone,


**Article section navigation**

- [Windows](#section-1)
- [Mac](#section-2)
- [Linux](#section-3)
- [Boot in live mode using USB or DVD](#section-4) 

> Head to Section 4 after having a bootable USB or DVD from the previous sections.

- [Kubuntu?](#section-5)



Today I want to write about my current Operating System that is Kubuntu and how to try it in Live mode(without modifying your actual OS).



Before we start working on how Kubuntu can be tried without installing it on our HDD(hard drives), let's see first how it can look after some minor customizations.

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/24fjpmi2gs7ckwglz230.png)


If you like what you see **Dear Reader**, then continue reading. 

Also if you have a different taste there is no problem, Kubuntu is very flexible and can surely be made to suit your liking.

> Note: That 64 bit systems can use 32 bit systems but not the other way around. So if you have a 32-bit system you can't use 64-bit system apps programs and Operating Systems. In that case, use Kubuntu 18.04 for a 32-bit system.


> Note: That for VM to work you will need to have hardware capable of virtualization.


#Section 1
 
Windows Users

If you are on Windows you will have three choices to try Kubuntu before actually installing it:

- DVD 

- USB

- VM(virtual machine)

To be able to try and later on install Kubuntu we will need to first download the actual image.




So head down to https://kubuntu.org/getkubuntu/ 

I recommend using `19.10` if you are after the latest improvements, that is what I am using.

**Save the image somewhere you can find it, we will need it.**

**Windows subsection navigation**
[Windows DVD Burning](#subsection-windows-1)
[Windows 10 DVD Burning](#subsection-windows-2)
[Creating a bootable USB](#subsection-windows-3)
[Virtualize Kubuntu](subsection-windows-4)



#Subsection Windows 1

Windows DVD Burning

Now if you have Windows there are a lot of options for DVD Burning Images(creating DVD's using images)

So it can be hard to decide what to choose. 

Thankfully Ubuntu has documentation to help us out and it can be found here 
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-burn-a-dvd-on-windows#1-overview

So for our case let's use InfraRecorder so that everybody can follow along:


- Download and Install `InfraRecorder`

- Insert a blank DVD, do not open any action recommended by Windows's autorun

- Open Infrarecorder

- Choose `Write Image` option from the main screen or go to Actions and Choose Burn Image

- Select the Kubuntu ISO image file you want to burn, then click ‘Open’

- In the dialog box, click ‘OK

> The above guide is copied and modified from the Ubuntu Guide on InfraRecorder




> Note that if you are on Windows 10 and can't follow along I have a special subsection, where I will show a method that works. The section can be found here
[Windows 10 DVD Burning](#subsection-windows-2)


#Subsection Windows 2


Windows 10 DVD Burning

For Windows 10 users the process becomes simpler:


- Insert an empty DVD, do not take any of recommended actions by Windows autorun

- Find the Kubuntu image

- Right-click on it

- Select  burn `Disc Image`

- Select a Disc burner (drive) and choose ‘Burn’. 

- If you check ‘Verify disc after burning’, it will confirm that the ISO image has been burned correctly(has been created correctly and has no problems or errors)

#Subsection Windows 3

Creating a bootable USB

There are a lot of options for this as well

But I recommend Rufus Bootable USB Creator

Also as before, we are going to follow this guide provided by Ubuntu

https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#1-overview

Rufus can be found here https://rufus.ie/

- Download and Install Rufus or choose the portable version

- Plug-in the USB

- Open Rufus

- Select the USB drive

- Now select in the Boot selection FreeDOS from the dropdown menu

- Select the `SELECT` option and find the Kubuntu image and click on Open

- The partition scheme should be MBR by default make sure to be that option that is selected 

- The target system can remain as it is BIOS or UEFI-CSM

- Press start when it finishes it should be a bootable USB

#Subsection Windows 4

Virtualize Kubuntu

For virtualization, there is `Virtual Box` that works pretty well.

`Virtual Box` can be found here https://www.virtualbox.org/

Download and Install https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads, download from the windows hosts.

- Select New

- In the window name the VM however, you want, ex Kubuntu 

- Type choose Linux

-  Version Ubuntu here we have 2 options if you are using a 32-bit image choose Ubuntu 32 bit if not Ubuntu 64 bit

- Press `Next`

- Memory size choose the recommended value and press `Next`

- Hard disks choose to create a new one, select the option `Create a virtual hard disk now`, press `Create`

- Hard disk file type choose VDI(because it is more portable), click `Next`

- Storage on physical device choose Dynamically allocated (it's much more flexible), click `Next`

- File Location and Size choose 15-25 GB size, the minimum is 10 GB and press `Create`.

Good now the virtual image where our Kubuntu will be is created but we can't try Kubuntu yet. so let's work on that.

Select the new Image in VirtualBox and press start, after some time a dialog will appear requesting(asking), you to provide an image now it is the time to choose the Kubuntu image you downloaded earlier.

At the new screen choose to try Kubuntu.

> To exit Kubuntu open a terminal or Konsole and type shutdown. Also, Kubuntu is not yet installed, we are going to see how to do this in a later article.


#Section 2 

Mac Users

For Mac users, there are some reports that Linux would be possible to get installed, but it still needs more confirmations and I don't use Mac so I can't try them.

There are a lot of articles online if you search on google for `Install Kubuntu on Mac`

> But I can't guarantee that they will work!

**If someone else wants to coauthor this part with me and has a Mac to help with this part that would be great.**

#Section 3 

Linux Users

**Linux Subsection navigation**

[DVD Burning in Linux](#subsection-kubuntu-1)
[Create a bootable USB using Balena Etcher](#subsection-kubuntu-2)
[Virtualize Kubuntu on Ubuntu or any other distro](#subsection-kubuntu-3)

Also if you are running another Linux distro then Kubuntu, you can also use the three methods above:

- DVD

- USB

- VM(virtual machine)

> I assume if you are already running a Linux distro that you know a lot about how to try a new Linux distro using Live mode from a USB and DVD. 

If not follow along **Dear Reader**

We will follow Ubuntu's guide for this 

https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-burn-a-dvd-on-ubuntu#1-overview

Download the Kubuntu image for your system from here

https://kubuntu.org/getkubuntu/

- for 32 bit Kubuntu 18.04

- for 64 bit Kubuntu 19.10

#Subsection Kubuntu 1

DVD Burning using Ubuntu

Install Brasero or what DVD burning software you like **Dear Reader**

So in Brasero:

- Select the `Burn Image` option 

- In the new windows that opens up

- Select disc image to write and locate the Kubuntu image and press `Ok`

- Insert a blank DVD

- Press `Burn`

#Subsection Kubuntu 2

Create a bootable USB using Balena Etcher(this should work on any Linux distro)

- Download Balena Etcher from here https://www.balena.io/etcher/

- Unzip the archive using ark or any other program

- You should have something like this `balenaEtcher-1.5.79-x64.AppImage`(electron app)

- Double click

- `Select image` option from the window

- Find the Kubuntu image, press `Open`

- Plug-in USB Stick(make sure that the selected device is the new USB you plugged just now)

- Press `Flash`

#Subsection Kubuntu 3

Virtualize Kubuntu on Ubuntu or any other distro

- Download and Install Virtual Box

- Select New

- In the window name the VM however, you want, ex Kubuntu 

- Type choose Linux

-  Version Ubuntu here we have 2 options if you are using a 32-bit image choose Ubuntu 32 bit if not Ubuntu 64 bit

- Press `Next`

- Memory size choose the recommended value and press `Next`

- Hard disks choose to create a new one, select the option `Create a virtual hard disk now`, press `Create`

- Hard disk file type choose VDI(because it is more portable), click `Next`

- Storage on physical device choose Dynamically allocated (it's much more flexible), click `Next`

- File Location and Size choose 15-25 GB size, the minimum is 10 GB and press `Create`.

Good now the virtual image where our Kubuntu will be is created but we can't try Kubuntu yet. so let's work on that.

Select the new Image in VirtualBox and press start, after some time a dialog will appear requesting(asking), you to provide an image now it is the time to choose the Kubuntu image you downloaded earlier.

At the new screen choose to try Kubuntu.

> To exit Kubuntu open a terminal or Konsole and type shutdown. Also, Kubuntu is not yet installed, we are going to see how to do this in a later article.


#Section 4

Boot in live mode using USB or DVD


**Dear readers** if you have an UEFI Bios and use a USB keyboard, you will have to enable `IOMMU Controller in BIOS`(this will disable your network card if it is an integrated one).

The only way to solve all this is to install Kubuntu, enter bios and disable `IOMMU Controller` again.

But the best solution is to use a ps2 keyboard or adapter for your keyboard. 

Also at boot select to boot from USB or DVD.

> Usually, the option is f8 or f12 to enter the boot selection mode when you first open the pc.

> If not select the order in Bios.

> If you have problems with this step write in the comments.

Some USB ports will not work when you will boot from the Kubuntu DVD or USB stick. Don't panic just switch the mouse and keyboard until they work for me the USB 3.0 ports worked.


After the system boots from the USB or mouse select the **TRY KUBUNTU** option or else you will enter the installation mode and I can't guarantee the safety of your data.

> If you entered by mistake the installation mode **don't panic** there are not changes made to your system yet. Reset your system and try again. This time choose the `TRY KUBUNTU` option


> Kubuntu in live mode will the full version with office and all the other apps that come with the full version.

After you are done trying it.

You can close it by typing in a terminal or Konsole shutdown or selecting from the menu the shutdown option.

#Section 5

Why didn't you show us how to install Kubuntu?

Because I want to create a unified way for everybody to follow along and no matter what OS are you using or if you virtualized Kubuntu. The steps will be the same.

So a new article seems like a good choice here.


I hope you liked this article **Dear Reader** and if you also find it useful, share it on social.

Also, I think this article is best read with a cup of coffee or tea, because it is a long one. 

Credits:

https://kubuntu.org/getkubuntu/

https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-burn-a-dvd-on-windows#1-overview

https://rufus.ie/

https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#1-overview

https://www.balena.io/etcher/