Linux and you: Part 1, Installing Linux-A guide by Lead Head

[Lead Head]

Since someone asked, I am going to create a step by step guide to installing Linux. :D

NOTE: Some distros that linux newbies should stay away from are Slackware and Gentoo, these distros are hard to use.

First, You will need to choose wich distro(Linux Distrobution) you will want to use, and download it. I recomend Ubuntu or SuSE 10.0, for this guide I use Ubuntu because it was the only disc I had at the time. The install method is pretty much the same for all distros.(images can be clicked to be made bigger)



Next, Reboot you computer and enter the bios, this is usually done by hiting Delete during POST. Set the computer to boot from the CD-ROM drive, this setting is located in different places with different motherboards, mine was located in the "Soyo Combo Setup". Once you have set the first boot device, hit the Save & Exit option in the BIOS, this is usally followed by a prompt asking "Are you sure you want to save & exit? y/n?" Hit the "Y" key if this is asked.



After the computer restarts, it will beging to boot from the CD or DVD and usually you will need to hit "Enter" to start the installer.

With Ubuntu, wich is the distro that you will most likely want to choose, It firsts asks you wich country you live in, Select wich country you live in with the arrow keys, then hit enter.



You are next asked wich keyboard layout you use, For me, Its "American-English", Like above, use the arrow keys to select your keyboard layout and then hit enter.



The setup will go through about two sections where its is dectecting and seting up hardware.

Once the above is done, you will be asked to set the hostname, this is the name your computer will apear as on the internet or your local network.



Partitioning. After you set your host name, a box will come up asking you how you want to partition your Hard Drive. If you have a blank emtpy HD you want to install Linux on click that. If you have a Windows installation and you want to completely remove any trace of it and just install Linux, hit the "Erase entire disk" option, or if you want to shrink your Windows or other OS partition, hit the "Resize option".Once you select what you want, it will ask you to confirm, just hit "Yes"

Once, you hit yes, it will partition/format your Hard Drive(s) and install the base system.

Once this is done, you will have to select your time zone, this is done the same way as in other menus in the installer.

Next you will have to setup your username and password.

After that, it will finalize some stuff, and ask you to remove your CD, please do this. The computer will reboot.

After reboot, Ubuntu will finish installing the remaining packages, how ever, you may or may not be asked this question. Use the space bar to select/deselect resolutions and press tab to get over to the "Ok" "Cancel" selections.

(Note: The X server is the Window Manager, the Window Manager displays the desktop,apps,etc...Without the X Server running, you are at a terminal(command promt), if for any reason the X server crashed or it didn't start up, log in through the terminal wich is easy enough, then type the following command, Start X, that will start the X server up)



Congradulations, you've just installed Ubuntu Linux, you will be presented with the Log-On screen.
I will make a "How to use guide" in a few days, and I will make other install guides if needed.



Rev1-Updated Pictures
Rev2-Added what the X-Server was
Rev3-Added clearer BIOS shot

[Tyreal]

Overall, pretty good guide! I would suggest that you retake some of the pictures if you want to get this published onto the website.
Try using a tripod or resting the camera closer to your body so that it does not get blurred.
Spelling on some stuff could be better too but it looks like your on the right path.

[simple_inhibition]

looks pretty good man. im definitely going to be using it!

[Lead Head]

Originally Posted by Tyreal

Overall, pretty good guide! I would suggest that you retake some of the pictures if you want to get this published onto the website.
Try using a tripod or resting the camera closer to your body so that it does not get blurred.
Spelling on some stuff could be better too but it looks like your on the right path.

Actually 95% of the pictures are crystal clear, but I am at my dads house atm, and he only has dial up, so I had to resize the pictures using paint to get file sizes down,but I will update the pics ASAP

[Capper]

yeah, I can't read any of the pics. you can take them and email them to me. I'll be happy to resize and edit them , as well as host them.

[Lead Head]

Originally Posted by Capper

yeah, I can't read any of the pics. you can take them and email them to me. I'll be happy to resize and edit them , as well as host them.

Aight, I'll send them tommorow :)

[gvblake22]

Nicely done. Can you make a part two about how to set up and use the software after it is installed? :D

[Lead Head]

Yes, but I forgot the password I set Do'h. So I have to install it again :-/

[Jokerswild]

Good job.

[Tyreal]

Originally Posted by Lead Head

Actually 95% of the pictures are crystal clear, but I am at my dads house atm, and he only has dial up, so I had to resize the pictures using paint to get file sizes down,but I will update the pics ASAP

Compression really kills some photos. Looks like you've got it down then.