Installation Overview
- Decide on standalone Linux or dual boot.
-Install Windows first in a dual boot system.
-Determine how you want the Linux system to be partitioned. -Do NOT create any extra partitions with Windowsfdisk. Just leave the space unallocated. The Linux install will create the partitions (or allow you to).
- Boot the Linux Media
-Hopefully you have a bootable CDROM (and booting from the CD is supported in your BIOS.)
-In many cases you can use_boot.img_from the installation CD to create a bootable floppy for the install if booting from the CD is not possible.
- Accepting most defaults works.
-Your hardware will be detected and configured under most (if not all) circumstances. If the install freezes or breaks, try again in “text” mode or “expert” mode, if available. This is often caused by video card or SCSI card problems or conflicts. Support online is extensive if you have problems.
- Partition and format for Linux
-Use at least two partitions.
-Root ( / ) as type “Linux Native”.
-Swap as type “Linux Swap” (use 2x your system memory as a starting point for swap size).
-You will hear alot about using multiple partitions for different directories. Don’t let that confuse you. There are arguments both for and against using multiple partitions for a Linux file system. If you are just starting out, just use one large root (/) partition, and one swap partition. This will allow for the least confusion. You will see examples of other partitioning schemes later.
If you are comfortable with the idea of multiple partitions for your Linux install, then it is recommended that you use at least a separate_/boot_partition along with the root (/) and swap.
- Package installation (system)
-When asked which packages to select for installation, it is usually safe for a beginner to select “everything” (as in Red Hat or Mandrake). This allows you to try all the packages, along with both KDE and Gnome (X Window GUIs). This can take as much as2GB on some of the newer distributions, however it includes_all_the software you are likely to need for a long time (including “office” type applications). This is not really optimal or recommended, but for a learning box it will give you the most exposure to available software for experimentation.
- Installation Configuration
-Sound
-Usually automatic. If not, search the Web. The answer is out there. If the sound is not configured automatically, try running_sndconfig_if it is available (i.e. mostRedhat systems).
-Xfree86 (X Window system) -Know your hardware.
-If you choose to configure X during the installation routine,do notclick “yes” when asked if you want X to start automatically every time you system boots. This can make problem solving difficult and results in less control over the system. You can always start the GUI with “startx” from the command line.
- Boot Method (the Boot loader…selects the OS to boot) -LILO or GRUB.
-Some people find GRUB more flexible and secure. Usually select the option to install to the MBR. The presences of other boot loaders determine where to install LILO or GRUB.
-The boot loader contains the code that points to the kernel to be booted. Checkwww.tldp.orgfor “multiOS” and “multiboot” HowTo documents.
-Bootdisk should be created for rescue.
- Create a username for yourself
-Linux is a multiuser system. It is designed for use on networks (remember, it is based on Unix). The “root” user is the system administrator, and is created by default during installation. Exclusive use of the “root” login is DANGEROUS. Linux assumesroot knows what he or she is doing and allows “root” to do anything he or she wants, including destroy the system. Create a new user. Don’t log in as “root” unless you must. Having said this, much of the work done for forensic analysis must be done as “root” to allow access to raw devices and system commands.