View Full Version : Linux Installation
Hi Every1,
Just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction for some good advice on how to install Linux and should I use the LILO loader or the linloader.
I have already got Win98, 333Mhz, 64MB RAM, 8MB VRAM, 6.1GB machine with 2GB free.
I heard that there is lots of versions like SUSE and red hat and a few others, which one is best??
Thanks
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Have a nice day
iisbob
07-01-2001, 02:41 AM
i wont try to tell you which one is best ( they're all free for download, how much better can you get http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ) but i like and Corel-linux, it's a denebian version-you can download it for free from their site( an ISO image, about 350 mb's-so you need to be on broadband unless you wanna wait several days http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif ) it installs straight from the floppy, an easy to use graphical interface. Makes it soooo much easier to install linux this way( it even gives you the option to install on a windows system) so what i'm trying to say is that i liked this version and would recommend it to someone, especially if you're just getting into linux distributions.
"it installs straight from the floppy" oops! i meant CD http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
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iisbob
"Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run." http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif
[This message has been edited by iisbob (edited 07-01-2001).]
Beno
I have also used Corel Linux version 1 and 2
I replaced it with Red Hat 7.1
Is it any better ?
The Jury is still out on that one.
It will do everything that Corel Linux can.
It allows you to pick the GUI you want to use or switch between 2 options,
( Both are included on cd)
In addition it is Based on Kernal Version 2.4
The only thing I didn't like about Corel's version was the lack of support.
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To ERR is HUMAN
To REALLY screw things UP, YOU NEED a COMPUTER !
Thanks guys for that,
I've tried to install Linux before but I screwed it up on the partition.
By that I mean I wiped my whole computer. Luckily I backed things up!
Its a bit of a pain though trying to install it because there is a lot of reading and there seems to be so much yuo have to get concerned about to make it right especially when its on a compaq laptop!!
Laptops are tricky little bastards at times!!
Anyway thanks for your advice and I welcome anymore advice.
Cheers
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Have a nice day
If you are going to install on laptop. ( Especially a Compaq)
Check the hardware compatibility list for the Disto/Version you want to install.
Also Use the Auto install if you can. ( Warning Here some auto installs will clear your drive)
Select Desktop/Laptop install the first time around.
Don't put any of the server software till you learn more.
During the Install If it asks you to setup a user.
Do so with your default log on name.
Saves you the hassle of learning how to setup an account without digging into the administration
aspect fo the program from moment one.
It's also Safer .. You can't trash it with a normal user account.
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To ERR is HUMAN
To REALLY screw things UP, YOU NEED a COMPUTER !
If you are just going to try it first I'd suggest a Partionl;ess Install. This will install Linux into a Windows folder on your hard drive. No need to partition nothing and less chance of losing it all. To boot into Linux you just boot of the floppy boot disk and it will load. No need for LILO either.
I wouldn't suggest this for someone who wants to install it and run it for real, just to test it out, to see if you want to really use it long term.
ROd
yawningdog
07-29-2001, 01:48 AM
Hey Beno. You and I are in the same boat. Only yesterday I went to the library looking for Linux info. I walked out with Linux For Dummies complete with Red Hat 7 and partitioning software. I'll keep you posted with the details as I progress if you like.
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You cannot break God's law. You can only break yourself upon it.
yawningdog
07-29-2001, 01:51 AM
Hey Beno. You and I are in the same boat. Only yesterday I went to the library looking for Linux info. I walked out with Linux For Dummies complete with Red Hat 7 and partitioning software. I'll keep you posted with the details as I progress if you like.
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You cannot break God's law. You can only break yourself upon it.
yawningdog
07-29-2001, 05:26 PM
I dont mean to hog your topic space Beno, but this is turning out to be fairly tricky.
First, the partitioning utility that came with redhat7 -fips- didn't work. Oh it created a partition, but it ruined my windows installation. I had to format c: and re-install windows on that partition. Luckily, I backed everything up.
So now I have a primary partition c:, a primary slave d:, and another primary partition e:. I want to put redhat7 on e: (5gb) but the installation program says I need a mount point. Can somebody explain what this is, and why I need one?
Additionally, does Linux need more than one partition? There was talk about a swap drive or something. How many partitions do I need?
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You cannot break God's law. You can only break yourself upon it.
iisbob
07-29-2001, 08:14 PM
hey, yawningdog this link here, linuxdoc.org (http://www.linuxdoc.org/LDP/gs/node4.html) will helpfully clear some of your questions up. As for the partitions, yes-linux needs two-one is for a small swap file ( i believe 600mb's is the minimum for it ), a mount point is the place in the directory tree to which a device is grafted. In unix, there are no drive letters - instead, Unix uses a unified directory tree. For a partition to be accessible, the partition must be mounted into this directory tree. The place it gets mounted is known as the mount point. Think of it kinda like windows " C:/ " drive.
As great as an OS as linux hgas turned out to be-unfortunately there aint a lot of tech support out there-except for the big boys like redhat, corel, suse. Your best bet is to get involved in a linux forum, linux.com (http://www.linux.com) has some excellant links and info.
Best of luck!
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif
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iisbob
"Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run."
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." --Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
yawningdog
07-29-2001, 10:59 PM
The installation program says I dont have enough space to partition automatically, and that I must do it manually. So do I need one boot partition and one swap partition? If so, what size should they be? Why isn't 5gb enough? It sounds like it ought to be plenty. Is Linux that big?
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You cannot break God's law. You can only break yourself upon it.
johnnywyoming
08-04-2001, 05:51 PM
Hi Beno, I've been interested in Linux for awhile now and have installed SUSE 7.0 on my partitioned drive. It was a lot of work and I have learned a lot. A good place for questions is here http://www.linuxnewbie.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi Good Luck!
Thanks johnnywyoming! for that great website.
Yeah it is a bit of a pain to install isn't it but once you have it going it interesting to use. I am going to install Mandrake sometime soon to give that a go.
Cheers mate!
Beno
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Have a nice day
Thanks johnnywyoming for that great website!
I'm about to install Mandrake to give that a go but I must I have had some compatability issues as far as hardware goes but thats probably because I'm installing onto a Compaq laptop and I heard from someone that Compaq does funny things when you install non MS Op Sys's!!!
But interesting noneoftheless!!
Cheers mate
Beno
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Have a nice day
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