Clueless about installing Linux/Unix

[NevadaSam]

Clueless about installing Linux/Unix

I have an extra PC and I am considering installing a version of Unix for learning purposes. The only thing I know is I think I want to get a copy of Linus which is a scaled down version of Unix. Oh yes, and I also know it is free (I can afford that). I have installed WinXP Pro and other versions of Windows many times so I know how to insert a CD and click next. :)

Where do I start? What is the best site to download what I need and where can I find good instructions? I've heard that there are not many programs that will run on Linus; basic web tool and a browser will be enough for now. I have heard a lot of great things about the reliability of the operating system and I am at the stage in my learning process where I am ready to dive in.

I am sure I will have more questions after I am up and running and I will appreciate all the help you can give.

Sam

[nox-Hand]

Hey Sam.

I would recommend you start with getting Kubuntu (www.kubuntu.org).

This is a very easy to install Linux version, which boots up from your CD, and then it's very explained in how you install. If you were to bump into any problems, I'd just ask about it, but it is relatively easy. It runs the KDE desktop system(( see below )), and comes with a lot of applications pre-installed, so you will have webbrowser, sound etc. You will, however, NOT have MP3 support, which can be easially installed, but they may not give it out pre-installed due to some patents.

I presume you shall be using the whole harddisk? If so, the install couldn't be easier. :)

You should download this file if you are on a 32 or 64 bit PC (( a regular PC :) ))
http://us.releases.ubuntu.com/releases/kubuntu/breezy/kubuntu-5.10-install-i386.iso

After downloading, you should burn this image file to a CD using a CD burning tool, such as Nero.

After that, simply pop the CD in your drive, reboot, and follow the instructions. You cannot do anything wrong, really, if you are going to use the whole harddrive, as you can't delete anything from Windows :)


If you need more help, please post again :)

Here is an image of the KDE desktop system (( apart from it being in some odd language ;) (( is that Polish? )) )

http://www.imagex.info/uploads/03fbc43fc6.jpg (http://jakilinux.org/reviews/Windows/Kubuntu_default.png)

Hope it goes OK :)

nox-Hand

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Hey nox do you know the command to use framebuffer on the kubuntu live cd? *goes to google*

[NevadaSam]

Thanks, nox-hand. That sounds like as good of a place as any to start. I am down loading the file now. I have NERO and can finish the rest. I did have my hard drive partitioned into 2 drive, but I just make one drive. If I have any questions I'll post here or start another thread.

[nox-Hand]

I think you should post here, as I am subscribed to this thread, and get mails at every reply :)

Well, then just, when you get to the HardDrive installation thing, I'd use the selection 'Erase and use entire harddisk hd<somthing>'

In Linux, instead of C:, D: etc, harddisks are called hda, hdb, hdc etc. Therefore, if you only have one harddisk, it will probably say hda (( or sda if it's a SATA harddisk :) ))

@Aero, just a sec, will find it


nox-Hand

[nox-Hand]

Well, what I could find out was:
Do this >>
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
...and use framebuffer. It's near the end of the config stuff.

I am not sure how this'll work, mate, I don't know. But, that is the way to do it. I have never done this in Kubuntu, but I am guessing it's a lot like xorgconf in Gentoo, so it isn't that hard, and it's full of comments :) You'd get to a text-based terminal once your X crashes by pressing [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[F1].

Then, when configured, issue the command:

#killall xserver kdm

That should do it, then just type kdm, and you should be there. I hope it works. Oh, and you need to be root//sudo to use these commands. To get this done, do this:

# password su
<enter password>
# sudo su
<enter password>

This should work, I am pretty sure :)

Let me know how it goes!

nox-Hand

[NevadaSam]

What have I gotten myself into? :eek:
I did not know that hda, hdb stuff. It looks like I am going to have a lot of question. The computer that I am putting it on does not have a SATA drive. Also I just downloaded a version of Mozilla Firefox for Linux; I'm kinda of hooked on it, but I will try what ever comes with the CD and experiment with other browsers. I have email notifications set for this thread also so I'll know when someone posts.

[nox-Hand]

Downloading and installing is quite simple :) Once you get your sudo (( administrator temporary install thing, very secure :D )) set up, which is also simple, you can just open command line and.. for example:

apt-get install firefox


and it will download, configure and install all by itself :D


You don't need to know that hda, hdb stuff, but it's nice to be warned ;)

nox-Hand

[NevadaSam]

I am up and running but more confused than ever!

Last night I finished installing Kubuntu. I am using it now during this post. After I get use to its web browser "Konqueror" I will probably like it. For now I would like to go ahead and use Firefox so I am in familiar surrounding. I looked at the Quick Guide on line but couldn't find how to get to the command prompt. I will need to use the command prompt to do other things also. I have down loaded Firefox and extracted it to this folder: file:///home/sam/firefox . Now how do I install it? I will probably need a printable manual of either Kubuntu, Linux, or both. Is there a download site or a book that anyone would recommend?

I also need to use jumpdrives to load and store data with. Whenever i insert a storage drive into the USB port I get this error:

An error occurred while loading media:/sda1:
The file or folder media:/sda1 does not exist.

Unlike windows, Linux apparently does not support plug and play. I need to learn how to configure the computer to use these divices.

[nox-Hand]

Okay, to do the firefox install, you must open a thing called Xterm. This thing is called shell or something, and it can be found under your 'Utilities' menu in the 'start menu'


then, when this thing is up, simply type:

sudo apt-get install firefox

Then it will ask for a password, and the password needed is YOUR OWN USERS password. Then a lot of output will come, and you shall have Firefox after that =)

The automount should work, I don't know why, sorry.

nox-Hand

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Well I tried installing kubuntu last night. Got to stage 1.5, the grub boot loader install, but it hanged there for about 8hrs (overnight). I restarted the system and the boot loader worked, I tried booting into kubuntu but got something like hda1 not found so obviously something was wrong. I am going to try and install knoppix or mepis. I had to restore my master boot record using my windows xp disc.

[nox-Hand]

Well, I'd try reinstalling again, and the grub should work. What version of Kubuntu are you using?

nox-Hand

[erisco]

I have not used Kubuntu, but I do use Ubuntu and I know there is an issue when mounting external drives (a glitch in Nautilus), so the easiest solution is to make a shortcut to mount the drive instead.

Rightclick on your menu bar, Add to pannel => Custom Aplication Launcher.
You will now be faced with a window (if things on Kubuntu are like Ubutu anyways) that will require a few things:

Name: Just insert any name that will identify the launcher
Generic name: Same thine as name
Comment: Not needed
Command: mount /media/*insert your USB drive name*
Type: Application

For example, my floppy drive is floppy0, if I had two I would be using floppy0 and floppy1, I am sure Kubuntu will use something similar. You will just need to stick in your USB to find the drive name, open /media/ and look at everything listed. Your device will have an obvious name (it should at least) and that will be it (usually the one with 0 at the end). I am sure there is a more technical method but it worked for me ;)

After you are finished, just click on the icon to mount the drive.

[nox-Hand]

I have not used Kubuntu, but I do use Ubuntu and I know there is an issue when mounting external drives (a glitch in Nautilus), so the easiest solution is to make a shortcut to mount the drive instead.

Rightclick on your menu bar, Add to pannel => Custom Aplication Launcher.
You will now be faced with a window (if things on Kubuntu are like Ubutu anyways) that will require a few things:

Name: Just insert any name that will identify the launcher
Generic name: Same thine as name
Comment: Not needed
Command: mount /media/*insert your USB drive name*
Type: Application

For example, my floppy drive is floppy0, if I had two I would be using floppy0 and floppy1, I am sure Kubuntu will use something similar. You will just need to stick in your USB to find the drive name, open /media/ and look at everything listed. Your device will have an obvious name (it should at least) and that will be it (usually the one with 0 at the end). I am sure there is a more technical method but it worked for me ;)

After you are finished, just click on the icon to mount the drive.

Sounds like a sollution :)

I just use command line, but I like commandline, so that's just me ;)

nox-Hand

[NevadaSam]

I found the add to pannel put there was no Custom Aplication Launcher. I also discovered the contents of the /media/ folder ( 2 dvd drives, floopy, and hard drive). USB ports were not listed. this is what I get when I stick two different jumpdrives into different USP Slots:

media:/sda1 does not exist
media:/sdb1 does not exist

Are sda1 and sdb1 are the names of the ports or drives?
How can I add these drives from the command prompt since I don't seem to have the Custom Aplication Launcher?

[nox-Hand]

I found the add to pannel put there was no Custom Aplication Launcher. I also discovered the contents of the /media/ folder ( 2 dvd drives, floopy, and hard drive). USB ports were not listed. this is what I get when I stick two different jumpdrives into different USP Slots:

media:/sda1 does not exist
media:/sdb1 does not exist

Are sda1 and sdb1 are the names of the ports or drives?
How can I add these drives from the command prompt since I don't seem to have the Custom Aplication Launcher?

Hmm, well, things are different from PC to PC, so I don't know mate, sorry :(

nox-Hand

[erisco]

Well that is not too good... if your drive was recognized by Linux then it would have created a folder for them. When you mount the drive, it will list the items in the folder that are on the external drive.

So this is telling me that you need to configure your USB drives, which I personally do not know how to do. I would try searching on Google for something. Unless Nox has worked with USB before.

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

I'm thinking about installing PCLinuxOS. I couldn't get fedora to install, or kubuntu, or gentoo. It could be because my laptop is a bit old. I've tried PCLinuxOS before on this laptop and it worked fine just never installed it. Its pretty well documented and is packed with a lot of software. http://www.pclinuxos.com/news.php

[nox-Hand]

''Radically Simple'' :D

Sounds okay, actually, I might try it :)

nox-Hand