5. How Do I Install Linux?
Linux installations run from supersimple, done-in-30-minutes quickies to toss-your-computer-out-the-window frustration sessions. Why? First, Linux installation utilities generally require you to know more about your system than you'd expect. Second, Linux doesn't support all the hardware that you're bound to have (see Question 3).

Before You Start
The best thing you can do to make things go as smoothly as possible is create a list of your computer's components. Unlike Windows, which generally does a pretty good job of identifying hardware and configuring itself, Linux often needs some help. To be safe, jot down the following:

  • Make, model, and interface for your CD-ROM drive
  • Make and model of your SCSI adapter (if you have one)
  • What type of mouse you have
  • The make, model, and memory size of your graphics card
  • The make, model, and refresh rates for your monitor
  • Any networking information you may have kicking around (IP address, netmask, gateway address, DNS addresses, domain name, and type of network card)
During installation, Linux may ask you for any or all of this info, and if you don't know it, you're going to pull your hair out. 

Install a CD
As for the actual install, you have several options. Once again, the easiest way is with a CD-ROM version of Linux and a PC that supports booting from the CD drive (newer systems do). In that case, you'll often just have to drop the disk in your drive, set your system's BIOS to search for bootable CDs, and follow the installation instructions that pop up on the screen.

Install From DOS
If your system can't boot from the CD, you'll need to install from a DOS directory (if your distribution supports the option) or work from boot disks. Commercial distributions of Linux, including those from Caldera and Red Hat, come with 3.5-inch boot disks. Otherwise, you'll have to create the disks yourself (check this installation how-to for more information on creating the disks and installing Linux from a CD. You'll also probably need these disks if you plan on installing Linux from a hard disk or via Network File System (NFS).

Installing Specific Flavors
Your distribution's Web site should have all the details you need to know about installing its specific flavor of Linux. If it doesn't, or if the docs are too difficult to understand, go with another distribution. We've had good luck with Red Hat, Caldera, Debian, and Slackware.
 
 

How do I get online with Linux?
1.  What Is Linux?
2.  Will My Computer Run Linux?
3.  Will Linux Support My Peripherals?
4.  How Do I Download Linux?
5.  How Do I Install Linux?
6.  How Do I Get on the Internet With Linux?
7.  How Can I Make Linux More Like Windows?
8.  How Do I Run It With Windows?
9.  How Do I Run My Web Site on Linux?
10.  Where Can I Get Technical Support for Linux?