How easy is it to install and use?

[KarlOldman]

Hi, im not one for complictaed installations, I a 8 gig HD (with only one partition) in my spare PC (which im using) and wondered if it uses a boot disc or boots from the CD rom. or even if you just go onto your CD drive is dos and type 'setup.exe'. After you have installed it does it boot up strait into the GUI?

Sorry for asking all these questions I'll need all the help I can get.

Thanks

Karl.

[MandK_10]

I hate to sound like a dork but what the heck are you talking about?

[KarlOldman]

Im asking about How easy is it to install Redhat Linux (or anyother) and how does it boot?

[Choozo]

Originally posted by KarlOldman:
<STRONG>Im asking about How easy is it to install Redhat Linux (or anyother) and how does it boot?</STRONG>

Now, why on earth don't you listen to any of the answers you already got on your multiple posts on this topic?

Read the Install NHF's on this site, get a good book (Running Linux, by O'Reilly). You will find all your questions answered there.
Post back when you hit some specific snags.

[KarlOldman]

So far this OS looks very un friendly (im only 14 :cool: )

[bdg1983]

If you think it's going to be like Windows, it isn't.

Do some reading first and if you think it's beyond your capabilities, then leave it for awhile or else spend a lot of time reading and learning first.

[MandK_10]

First there is no .exe files in linux.

Yes RedHat or Mandrake have a fairly easy setup program. Yes you can have it boot straight to a GUI. Yes the GUI will be different than that of windows but not so much so that you will be entirely lost.

But as mdwatts pointed out you should do some reading. There is a lot of information on this site, there is a lot of information on the sites of the different distributions, there is a lot of information in your local bookstore.

When you can do all of the following things you should be ready to install Mandrake or RedHat and do OK:

1. know the types of filesystems linux uses.

2. know what partitioning scheme you will use to setup linux.

3. know where your floppy and CDROM will be mounted.

4. know what mounted means.

5. know how to download a .iso file and properly burn it, or have the cash to buy a distro.

6. know what a .iso file is.

7. know whether you can boot from CD on your sytem and how to make it so.

8. know if your hardware is linux compatible.

9. know how to find out if it is.

10. know how to get installation help and be able to follow on screen propts.


This is some of the rudementary information that I discovered before I even tried to setup linux. I used RedHat and got it working on my first install. I have installed a couple times since just because I found better ways of doing things.

I may have left some stuff off the list. I hope this does not scare you though because all this information is very easy to find and if you spend about a week researching you should have all the information you need to get started.

Mike

[ 04 August 2001: Message edited by: MandK_10 ]

[MandK_10]

Originally posted by KarlOldman:
<STRONG>So far this OS looks very un friendly (im only 14 :cool: )</STRONG>

it is not unfriendly, just powerful.

[KarlOldman]

Thanks a lot MandK :D I think ill go out and look for a book. Its going to be a challenge! but I have four more weeks of Holiday :cool: But Im a computer freak so I enjoy the challenges.

[TacKat]

If you can get your hands on an old system, or you have an extra computer you don't use for anything important, I'd start by putting Linux on there and messing around with that. That way you can just mess around without worrying about screwing anything important and there's no actual pressure on you to make everything work properly.

One of the biggest frustrations I've seen is that someone can't get something to work, and they absolutely need it to run. It's best to just be able to walk away and turn on a computer that actual has what you need instead of getting more and more frustrated.

[aphryo]

Here's my step by step process to install.

1. Jaunt to Best Buy and purchase Mandrake8 3 cd set for 40 bucks, and Linux for Dummies(actually a pretty good beginner guide) for 25 bucks.

2. Read through the Mandrake install guide and the install chapters of LFD.

3. Set PC to boot from CD. Restart Machine with Mandrake disc in drive.

4. Answer few easy install questions. Watch the install.

5. Install any extra packages I want that didn't come with cd's and configure programs how I want them.

6. Read LNO Message boards religiously. Even if I am not having the same problem as people I always read what their problems are and what solutions are offered and pay attention to how they are fixed. I've learned more just reading these message boards then I think any book would've taught me.

My machine has been running for over a month now(I highly recommend picking up a PCI fan from Best Buy for 20 bucks) without a glitch or a hiccup. I had a few newbie problems, like losing realplayer after I installed it and it took me several days to figure out how to find where it installed to.

I say screw KDE or Gnome. Just my suggestion. The biggest thing I hate about Windows is that I'm sick of the interface. All it took to get me to install linux was to see Enlightenment. What a great window manager that is.

Peace.

[Dark Ninja]

L0L And if you want another installation option, try this:

1. Partition your drive and give yourself like 5 Gigs for Mandrake or RedHat. (Mandrake, IMHO, is VERY easy.)

2. Just go with the flow. (If it's Mandrake, it's pretty hard to screw up. Slackware was slightly more interesting, but not much.)

3. If you are using Mandrake, reboot, and then have fun. It's easy. I do recommend learning the command line, as opposed to KDE or Gnome. If you install Slackware (my OTHER Linux) good luck in everything. Read a lot.

Anyway, just mess around and have fun. If you program, it makes Linux especially worth while. If you don't have a stinking WinModem, it makes Linux even better.

Anyway, just have fun. "Hack" around with Linux (and I mean that word in the best possible way - not the media's description of the word hack). Enjoy it. It's fun.


Dark Ninja

[KarlOldman]

You say that mandrake is easy... what about RedHat? because I have managed to get that now and I've sent off the money and he will post it. So I will hopefully will have it by the end of this week. :eek:

[possumpuss]

Originally posted by KarlOldman:
<STRONG>You say that mandrake is easy... what about RedHat? because I have managed to get that now and I've sent off the money and he will post it. So I will hopefully will have it by the end of this week. :eek:</STRONG>

it's as easy to set up as windows
there are just different things to keep in mind
use the week to do some reading

[KarlOldman]

Thanks! :)

[PimpHolic]

im only 14 too :) making the most out of my summer with linux :D but just do some reading up on it..you might wanna install it twice just so you get the hang of it..and make a trip to the nhf section and read any of them that you think might help you...there is some good stuff there