Chapter 9 A Installing Linux

Synopsis What is needed. How to access the BIOS and boot a CD/DVD. How to repartition the hard drive. The Linux installation process Installing peripherals Installing Internet Installing Wireless Installing updates

What is needed. A lot of thought and decisions. Linux CD/DVD Driver files for some crucial hardware. Install media and license keys for the important Windows Programs we want to keep. (maybe) Internet Service setup disk and/or settings. Other Software (maybe)

A lot of thought and decisions Is Linux for me? – Test drive Linux Use a bootable live mode disk that will run Linux without touching your hard drive; some will even access your Windows files and allow you to work with them. An excellent choice is Knoppix. Note that, since files are loaded off the DVD, execution will be slow; an alternative is a bootable thumb drive. Do we want to keep Windows? Probably, the answer to both questions is “YES”

A lot of thought and decisions Do we want to be able to run Windows again? Do we want to be able to run Windows within Linux? Do we want to run Linux within Windows?

A lot of thought and decisions Which distro? – Linux? Fedora Ubuntu Linux Mint OpenSuse Mandriva – BSD? NetBSD OpenBSD FreeBSD PC-BSD

A lot of thought and Decisions Where to get the media – Download – Buy a magazine – Mail order the media (linuxcd.org) – Order the boxed distro

Driver files for some crucial hardware. Most Linux/Unix come with Drivers, there are some exceptions; in some, limited cases, we can use the Windows drivers (not many)

Install media and license keys for the important Windows Programs we want to keep. Suggested: you might want to store the license keys in a thumb drive. It is possible to run many Windows programs under Linux/Unix. However, Linux also offers many worthwhile alternatives.

Internet Service setup disk and/or settings. Some possibilities:  User name and password.  IP address ??  Phone number for ISP tech support.

Other Software ?????

Back UP Do a complete Windows Backup; sufficient to reinstall Windows if anything goes wrong.

How to access the BIOS and boot a CD/DVD. Reboot your computer, watch for a message that says how to enter the BIOS/SETUP. Peck at that key (esc, F2, Del,, etc.); if you boot into Windows, reboot and try again; don't worry about damaging Windows, your going to do worse damage to it soon anyway!. Once in the BIOS/SETUP menu, look for the BOOT menu, look for Boot Disk Priority/Boot Sequence, etc. Move the CD to the top of the list. Place your Windows install CD/DVD in the drive and follow instruction to exit BIOS with save. If you are booting from USB, place USB near the top.

Starting the Installation Process As with Windows, the DVD boots up, goes into a wizard, and starts a conversation: – Identify peripherals (mouse, keyboard, screen) – Hard drive partitioning If you have a Windows partition, the default is to split the drive between Linux and Windows, with Linux doing the repartioning for you; alternately, you can use a program like “Partition Magic”. Linux will often require three partitions: one for system, one for users and one for “swap”.

More choices At this point, many Distros will offer a dizzying menu of programs to install; don't spend too much time on your choices; you can always go back and add more. If you make a mistake, hit and start over; nothing has been changed yet, until you hit that final “enter”. Sit back and wait. The system will reboot exactly ONCE.

Wrapping up your installation You will be prompted for an administration password; choose wisely and do not forget it! Choose a user account: do not use the root account in vain! You may be offered (now or earlier) to install peripherals such as a printer or a webcam. Go ahead. Last but not least, you will be asked for your internet settings: you can provide them at this time.

Post-installation happenings: The first thing that will happen is that the system will go hunting for updates. Let it. A firewall should also be in action by now.

What else? Reinstall and update your programs. You may want to install them under wine, or on a virtual Windows machine. A wine upgrade, called Crossover is very good for this kind of thing You might have to keep your original media handy, specially for your Microsoft software.