Reviving a PowerBook G4 with Ubuntu 9.04 PPC

[ Thanks to William Masopust for this link. ]

"Previously, I had attempted to install Ubuntu on this laptop, but I ran into numerous errors during the installation, and frankly, it wasn't worth the trouble at the time. Soon after the release of Ubuntu 9.04, I checked the PPC download page and saw a download link available. I downloaded it and burned the image to a CD with the hopes of installing it on my laptop. Upon booting to the CD, I was very surprised to see a live CD session typical with all other Ubuntu editions. After noticing that most of the hardware was working, I began the install.

"(In past times I did not get a live CD session. I had to attempt the install from a very basic UI, which at first didn't detect my keyboard, and later, after detecting the keyboard, the CD-Rom drive was not detected. The message read, "No common CD-ROM drive was detected." The solution is found here.)

"To my surprise, the install completed in good time and Ubuntu was asking me if I wanted to reboot or continue using the live CD session. Of course, I rebooted. Shortly after, the computer came to the log-in prompt without a hitch, and after typing in my username and password, I was staring at my new Ubuntu desktop on my PowerBook G4. I was ready to begin."

Complete Story

Related Stories:

• 2 Open-Source Alternatives to Everest (Complete System Information)(May 19, 2009)
• Compile source code - and solve problems(Mar 15, 2009)
• Editor's Note: Finally, We Have It All- Small, Fast, and Affordable(Feb 21, 2009)
• Installing Yellow Dog Linux 6.1 on PS3(Dec 31, 2008)
• The Xubuntu Difference(Dec 28, 2008)
• World's Smallest Humanoid Robot Can Run Linux(Nov 24, 2008)
• Via Panel PC Resists Shock, Liquids(Nov 20, 2008)
• Customizable PowerPC Board Comes With Linux(Nov 05, 2008)