How To Automatically Install Linux Without A LiveCD
For beginners, the installation of a Linux distribution with the help of a LiveCD could represent a difficult task sometimes. Currently, various methods and software applications to automate a Linux installation without directly interacting with a LiveCD exist.
UNetbootin is a free to use software application for Windows (Windows 2000/XP/Vista) and Linux that permits the installation of various Linux and BSD distributions on a hard drive or on an USB (related article: Automatic Creation of An Ubuntu 8.1 Live USB From Windows).
As a consequence the desired distribution could be installed and deployed from the local hard drive or a LiveUSB in a simpler manner, without the need of a burning a CD. UNetbootin provides built in support for Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint, Free BSD and more. Practically, any other platform distribution as CD image could be installed with UNetbootin.
First, you must run the UNetbootin application and specify the desired distribution to be installed and the target drive (USB or local hard drive). After the reboot, select from the boot menu the UNetbootin entry.
Then, the on-screen installation instructions provided for a certain distribution must be followed until finish. At the next reboot, the new operating system will be ready to use.
UNetbootin is also capable to run system utilities like Parted Magic, Super Grub Disk, Smart Boot Manager (SBM), Free DOS and other. The uninstall process can be performed from the boot in case of Windows operating system, respectively by running again the UNetbootin executable with root privileges.
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