Linux RedHat Setup
Step #1 - Obtain Linux
Step #2 - Document Hardware
Step #3 - Boot to DOS or Linux
Step #4 - Partition Drive (optional)
Step #5 - Install RedHat
Step #6 - Feedback
This document is for those new to Linux, who want a quick summary of how
to install Redhat Linux.
You can obtain Linux from many distributors. If you want to download the
Redhat version directly from the web you can do so at the
Redhat FTP Site.
Obtain detailed documentation of the hardware in your computer. Information
such as CPU Type, Expansion Bus, Memory, Drive Types, Video/Grahics card,
Sound Card, Network Card, Printer, Tape Backup, Scanner, Digital Camera,
and Zip Drive may be required. More recent versions of RedHat detect much
of this hardware automatically.
If possible boot your PC in DOS mode so that you can access the CD-ROM
drive. You have to be in pure DOS mode, opening up DOS as a window in
a Microsoft Windows Operating System will not work. If this is not
possible you can make a Linux Boot Disk with a blank floppy and executing
d:\dosutils\rawrite on the RedHat distribution disk. When you are asked
for the "disk image source file" enter \images\boot.img.
By starting out with an unpartitioned drive you can let RedHat automatically
partition it. This would be especially convienient for new users.
As stated in the Redhat documentation you have to have the boot partition
on the first 1024 cyclinders of the hard disk used for your Redhat install.
Since you can not install Redhat LILO on the first drive since it will cause
problems for System Commander be sure the partition you use has less than
1024 cyclinders and is one of the 1st 2 drives in your system. For example
a setup you may want to use would divide up a 2 Gig Drive as follows:
/boot 10 meg
/ 1800 meg
Swap 128 meg
You may also want to keep your /home directory in a separate partition along
with others depending on your requirements. But the important point here is
that if your disk drive as more than 1024 cylinders you should create a
separate smaller boot partition as we have done here.
To get the maximum flexibility choose the CUSTOM install. This is the only
install that will let you decide where to install LILO (Linux Loader) which
is especially important it you have a multiple boot system. Do not install
LILO over the MBR (Master Boot Record) if you use products such as System
Commander for multiple boots. Also be careful not to select SERVER INSTALL
since it will erase all hard drives on your system whether or not they are
Linux formatted.
Drop Netmation a note at
tell us if you succeded or failed. If you need additional information
or support please don't ask me, write the companies who's software you bought,
though I would be very much interested in updating
any of this information for others to take advantage of.