HOW TO - Install linux


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Hi All,

I'm a Windows user and want to try Linux, but there are lot of brand names like Mandrake, RedHat and etc.,

Which is good? I'm a n00b when it comes to installing and etc., So i need a guide to install linux from the beginning,

What are softwares that i can use in linux as freewares ( The needed ones or the must ones..).?

I hope this is the right way to post.. If wrong then i'm sorry.. :yes:

Thanks in advance....

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For a first time I say go with Mandrake. Installing Mandrake is no harder than installing windows, just do what it tells ya to.

Alot of the software for linux comes on the distributions CDs, It's all ready there for you to install.

Also check out http://www.linuxquestions.org

Gook luck, and have fun. :)

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hummm .. why dont u use a LiveCD* , if u just wanna try ... you can get good feel with knoppix or mandrake live CD. if you wanna taste the pain try gentoo stage 1 install :D ....

* LiveCD = CD when booted from runs Linux without installing.. you hve to configure basic settings (language , keyboad, monitor resolution... ) everytime you boot from the CD .. after that you get full Linux OS with nice apps for common uses (Openoffice, browser , all other things..)

get Live CDs here

Mandrake - Mandrake 9.2 Move LiveCD 2004-01-07

Knoppix - KNOPPIX_V3.3 EN (English) v3.3 (2004-02-16 build) mirrors

Edited by kyro
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hummm .. why dont u use a LiveCD* , if u just wanna try ... you can get good feel with knoppix or mandrake live CD. if you wanna taste the pain try gentoo stage 1 install :D ....

* LiveCD = CD when booted from runs Linux without installing.. you hve to configure basic settings (language , keyboad, monitor resolution... ) everytime you boot from the CD .. after that you get full Linux OS with nice apps for common uses (Openoffice, browser , all other things..)

get Live CDs here

Mandrake - Mandrake 9.2 Move LiveCD 2004-01-07

Knoppix - KNOPPIX_V3.3 EN (English) v3.3 (2004-02-16 build) mirrors

If i can try without installing, with the help of LIVECD, then i will give it a try... If problem arise i hope that you people will help me....

Thanks a lot and keep the replies coming....

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If i can try without installing, with the help of LIVECD, then i will give it a try... If problem arise i hope that you people will help me....

Thanks a lot and keep the replies coming....

if problem arises there are good bunch of helpers here ;) counting me too.

I am suggesting you LiveCD cause it has lots of positive things going for virgin linux users.

1) you only have to download and burn ONE CD .

2) if your hardware is really new , its gaurented there will be no problem.

3) if it doesnt work out, you can remove the CD and boot to hard-disk and no one is hurt.

4) if you dont like it . you save lots of time wasted which goes into downloading 2 to 3 CDs and installing them , and also ur hard-disk partitioned to linux filesystem.

anyway you will like it a lot . enjoy.

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Thanks again...

What abt the System Requirements?

Like Processor speed, free space and etc.,

Here is mine..

533Mhz

more than 2GB free space and can be cleared as needed.

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Thanks again...

What abt the System Requirements?

Like Processor speed, free space and etc.,

Here is mine..

533Mhz

more than 2GB free space and can be cleared as needed.

http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/mandrakemove

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-info/index-...ml#requirements

i was going tosay "google it" ... but had the links... google for basic info.... linux is famous ;)

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Just remember that a LiveCD runs off of the CD and available RAM, so it will be MUCH slower and sluggish than a "real" install. And also know that the "look & feel" are greatly modifyable - much more so than a Windows PC.

Oh, and don't let the number of choices overwhelm you. Linux is all about "choice", so you will see a few different text editors, browsers, media players, etc.

Welcome to the world of Open Source! :D

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I am just like MSN6 ... just trying bout Linux these days ... I really recommend Knoppix MSN6 I have been runnnig it for 2 days now ... absolutely love it... there's one thing I didnt know now that I think about it its obvious .. if u download something say aMSN ( MSN Messenger for Linux ) and then use it and turn off ur computer .. the data will be lost so don;'t turn your comp off if ur planning to use knoppix again ...

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Save to a floppy?

Or, a USB key, if you got one. ;)

(of course, installing Linux to a small space on a drive is the preferred method, and there are TONS of people here willing to help)

[EDIT: and about 2 or 3 who will just say to RTFM] :pinch:

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Hi,

I couldn't burn the knoopix version on a 700MB CD, it saying that there is not enough space for the compilation process....

What is the difference betweeen Mandrake Move and Knoopix?

Thanks...

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Hi,

I couldn't burn the knoopix version on a 700MB CD, it saying that there is not enough space for the compilation process....

What is the difference betweeen Mandrake Move and Knoopix?

Thanks...

1)ok what software are you using to burn. if nero .. select the option to close the session (so it doesnt write on that CD anymore.) and make sure the blank CD is 700 MB.

2) Knoppix and Mandrake are two different companies providing their version of Linux-From-CD. the Knoppix is a old and mature company and they are famous for clean and stable version of LIVE-CD .. u downloaded good distro (distrubution).

[EDIT: and about 2 or 3 who will just say to RTFM]

RTFLOL :rofl: .. but i also answer :whistle:

Edited by kyro
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Hi Kyro,

Thanks for the help.... Now i am writing this post from Mandarake 9.2. I really like it.... The fonts are nice to view ....

But one thing.. I couldn\t configure my desktop to fit my screensize and the taskbar is hiding below... How to change this...

I am not able to see the screenwidth to adjust in configure desktop.... :no:

Can any1 tell me what is the font that is used in this.... So nice....

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Hi Kyro,

Thanks for the help.... Now i am writing this post from Mandarake 9.2. I really like it.... The fonts are nice to view ....

But one thing.. I couldn\t configure my desktop to fit my screensize and the taskbar is hiding below... How to change this...

I am not able to see the screenwidth to adjust in configure desktop.... :no:

Can any1 tell me what is the font that is used in this.... So nice....

a BIG Congrats :woot: . okay i dont have the mandrake 9.2 but knoppix. so cant help in messenger thing .. but look in the internet-section at start panel .. u have to have a CHAT programme in there.

and installing software when running linux from CD is waste or temporary.. cause when u reboot .. it gets erased :/ .

BTW there is a nice function in MandrakeMove 9.2 LiveCD . remove the LinuxCD after complete booting and insert a Movie or MP3 CD in it and enjoy ur JukeBOX :woot: .

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Will try knoppix also? but the problems is burning it in a CD...

I'm using nero for burning the CD....

So i dont need the CD in the drive after complete booting?

How do i save my settings? I have seen some where that i can save them to USB, if so how do i do it....? :unsure:

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Messengers Question: Yahoo makes a Unix version of Yahoo Messenger, and I use aMSN for my MSN needs. Both of these are probable downloads from the net. You should also have GAIM installed. It runs AIM, Yahoo, MSN, ICQ and others, as an all-in-one thing.

Screen Resolution Question: Sounds like a virtual desktop size. If you want, you can look at editing the /etc/X11/XF86Config file. It is a text file, and near the bottom it should list all of your resolutions. I think that if you see things like 1600x1200@1024x786, that means you will use a 1600 desktop on a 1024 screen, and you end up having to 'scroll' around. Double check this info, as I am doing it from memory from my Windows PC at work...

Knoppix Questions: Yes, you need to keep the CD in with the Knoppix LiceCD... As far as I am aware, anyhow... However, you can use a floppy disk (/dev/fd0) or you should also be able to mount a USB key (or USB hard drive with a FAT filesystem). It will appear to be a serial hard drive (/dev/sda, /dev/sdb or some such). I think that if you are going to be wanting to save data and have some persistant memory of your configuration, programs, etc., that it would be better to just install Linux and remove the worries (and speed it up) ;)

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Hi,

Thanks markjensen...

I found the messenger inside the mandrake itself...

Could someone check the file size of Knoppix_Linux?

I'm not able to burn it in to the disc...

Mandrake was 619MB and Knoppix was 699MB, when i try to burn the later in 700MB disc using Nero 6, it is saying that that there isn't enough space....

:wacko:

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It is much (MUCH) better if you do an md5sum on the .iso image, and compare it to what it should be (found at wherever you download it from).

There are free Windows programs to calculate md5sum somewhere floating about online...

md5 will be accurate to tell you if you have a good or bad download.

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so in Mandrake Move 9.2 you can actually remove hte CD? and put iin a movie disc or a m3 disc and listen to music ? wow can u burn other discs using k3b?

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