ancient ibook; want ubuntu

Asked by Lessa Weaver

I have this ancient iBook from 1999. You know, the clamshell. I'm not a total tard with computers, as I can usually do what I'm trying to do with a nudge in the right direction. I've put Ubuntu on four or five computers, but I can't get this iBook to boot up on Ubuntu. I've followed all the steps to put 11.04 on a CD, I put it in, and I've found a few ways that were supposed to help me get the mac to boot, and nothing helped. When it starts up, I only get a screen with a folder in the middle that blinks from a question mark to a face.
Just, anybody who can tell me how to do it, please? I have the CD, I have the computer with the charger (as well as a Dell sitting right next to it), and I have a bit of patience left.

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mycae (mycae) said :
#1

If I remember correctly, the old 99 ibooks are a PPC processor -- which version of 11.04 did you boot? There is no official PPC support in ubuntu.

Macs also have to use magic boot key combinations to make the mac boot from anything other than the HDD. Which instructions were you following? An x86 or x86-64 ubuntu version clearly wont work -- its for a completely different CPU type.

The old Ibooks also had limited ram. It may be that you don't have enough ram, and may want to run Xubuntu, or Lubuntu (lightweight desktops) instead.

Here is the FAQ for PPC based ubuntu:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ

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