Ubuntu LogoXBMC hasn’t yet shipped out a release to work natively with the newly released Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala release, so you’ll need to install if via XBMC’s SVN.

Realistically, all that this means is that you still need to follow the step by step instructions given on XBMX’s how-to wiki exactly as before, but this time around you do need to replace the software sources additional line deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu/ jaunty main with http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-svn/ppa/ubuntu karmic main.

In other words, the install steps should now look like this:

Adding the XBMC Repo

Adding the XBMC Repo tells your system where to look for xbmc for installation and future updates

  • From the Desktop, click System -> Administration -> Software Sources.
  • Click the “Third Party Sofware” tab.
  • Click “Add”. For the Apt line type the following:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-svn/ppa/ubuntu karmic main
  • Click “Close”. If you see a GPG Error upon closing the window, not to worry. That will be handled in the next step.

Adding PPA Keys

These packages are signed with a unique key for added security. Synaptic needs to know this key in order to verify the packages’ authenticity.

  • Click here to view the PGP key
  • Select the text from the beginning of the keyblock to the end (including those lines)
  • Copy that text to the clipboard (Edit -> Copy)
  • Open your text editor from Applications -> Text Editor.
  • Paste the key contents (Edit -> Paste)
  • Save the document in your home folder as xbmc-ppa.key
  • Reopen Software Sources, this time choosing the “Authentication” tab.
  • Click “Import Key File” and choose the newly created xbmc-ppa.key and press OK.

Installing XBMC

Now that the repo and key have been added, install XBMC like any other program.

  • Click System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager
  • Click “Reload”
  • Search for “xbmc”
  • Mark xbmc and xbmc-standalone for installation and mark additional changes when prompted.
  • Click “Apply” and agree to the changes after reading them.

XBMC is now installed and ready for use.

Autostart XBMC (optional)

By following these instructions, your system will boot directly into XBMC rather than your desktop from now on. It is advised that you delay this step until XBMC is setup as you’d like it.

  • From the desktop click System -> Administration -> Login Window
  • From the “Security” tab choose “Enable Automatic Login” and select your username.
  • Click “OK” to exit.
  • Logout of your system.
  • From the Login screen choose “Select Session”
  • Choose “XBMC” and click “Change Session”

(Sorry for the copy/paste hack from the original steps, but it does the trick doesn’t it?)