Minimal Install

Download the mini.iso file - See MinimalCD in the Ubuntu Community Docs for a list of download files
Write the ISO to CD-RW (or CD-R) preferably using K3B which has a Verify written data facility.
Connect computer directly to router using Ethernet cable (wireless won't work)
Put CD in the CD reader and restart
At the boot: prompt there are two options

Full system install - just press Enter
Command line only system - type cli then Enter - Full details here

Most of the installation is much the same as using the Alternate CD - it uses a text installer. More information on installing may be found on the Installing Ubuntu page. The example below uses Manual partitioning but the same options apply as for a standard installation. See Hard Drives and Partitions and Manual Partitioning pages for more info and manual partitioning for Ubuntu.

Colour key :-

Black	Sections needing user input
Brown	Sections needing user input - extra or different for the mini install
Green	Information about the install process
Blue	Comments

We will firstly deal with a full install
These are the installation steps :-

Choose a language:
Choose a country or region etc.:
Detect keyboard layout? <Yes> <No> -- If you choose no you can select by country etc. (I chose <No>)
The origin of the keyboard:
The layout of the keyboard:
Configuring the network with DHCP
Hostname: enter the name you wish to know the computer by on the network
Ubuntu archive mirror country: will usually be the country you live in
Ubuntu archive mirror: choose archive.ubuntu.com for the absolute latest updates
HTTP proxy information (blank for none):
Downloading...
Loading additional components
Detecting disks and all other hardware
Starting the partitioner - This is much the same as setting up with the full ISO - I chose Manual partitioning

Select partition to use for the system (root)
How to use this partition: choose Ext3 journaling file system
Format the partition: - Yes
Mount point: / - The root file system
Choose Done setting up the partition
Select partition to use for /home
How to use this partition - choose Ext3 journaling file system
Format the partition - No
Mount point - /home
Choose Done setting up the partition
Choose Finish partitioning and write changes to disk
Write the changes to disks? Check that you are formatting the right partitions then choose <Yes>

Partitions formatting
Installing the base system
Set up users and passwords
Full name for the new user:
Username for your account:
Choose a password for the new user:
Re-enter password to verify:
Configuring apt - This takes quite a long time (progress sits at 16% for quite a while)
Select and install software - More waiting
Choose software to install - Choose the items you want including which desktop - Arrow keys move up/down - Space selects. When done, Tab moves highlight to <Continue> Press Enter
This is the longest download and setting up of software - may take an hour or so depending of system and download speeds (progress sits at 6% again for some time - also at 97% Cleaning up)
Installing GRUB boot loader - Looking for other operating systems
[!] Configuring grub
Install the GRUB boot loader to the master boot record? - Check it's found all your other OSs then choose <Yes>
Installing GRUB boot loader
Finishing the installation
Is the system clock set to UTC?
Installation complete
Remove CD from CD reader - System restarts into new system.

The Command Line Interface only installation

This is the same as the full installation but without the option to install extra software.

Choose a language:
Choose a country or region etc.:
Detect keyboard layout? <Yes> <No> -- If you choose no you can select by country etc. (I chose <No>)
The origin of the keyboard:
The layout of the keyboard:
Configuring the network with DHCP
Hostname: enter the name you wish to know the computer by on the network
Ubuntu archive mirror country: will usually be the country you live in
Ubuntu archive mirror: choose archive.ubuntu.com for the absolute latest updates
HTTP proxy information (blank for none):
Loading case system
Loading additional components
Detecting disks and all other hardware
Starting the partitioner - This is much the same as setting up with the full ISO - I chose Manual partitioning

Select partition to use for the system (root)
How to use this partition: choose Ext3 journaling file system
Format the partition: - Yes
Mount point: / - The root file system
Choose Done setting up the partition
Select partition to use for /home
How to use this partition - choose Ext3 journaling file system
Format the partition - No
Mount point - /home
Choose Done setting up the partition
Choose Finish partitioning and write changes to disk
Write the changes to disks? Check that you are formatting the right partitions then choose <Yes>

Partitions formatting
Installing the base system
Set up users and passwords
Full name for the new user:
Username for your account:
Choose a password for the new user:
Re-enter password to verify:
Configuring apt - This takes quite a long time (progress sits at 16% for quite a while)
Select and install software - More waiting
This is the longest download and setting up of software - may take an hour or so depending of system and download speeds (progress sits at 6% again for some time - also at 97% Cleaning up)
Installing GRUB boot loader - Looking for other operating systems
[!] Configuring grub
Install the GRUB boot loader to the master boot record? - Check it's found all your other OSs then choose <Yes>
Installing GRUB boot loader
Finishing the installation
Is the system clock set to UTC?
Installation complete
Remove CD from CD reader - System restarts into new system.

Updated 13 May 2008