Next: 2.1 Distributions of Linux Up: Linux Installation and Getting Previous: 1.10 Getting Help

# 2 Obtaining and Installing Linux

In this chapter, we'll describe how to obtain the Linux software, in the form of one of the various pre-packaged distributions, and how to install the distribution that you choose.

As we have mentioned, there is no single ``official'' distribution of the Linux software; there are, in fact, many distributions, each of which serves a particular purpose and set of goals. These distributions are available via anonymous FTP from the Internet, on BBS systems worldwide, and via mail on diskette, tape, and CD-ROM.

Here, we present a general overview of the installation process. Each distribution has its own specific installation instructions, but armed with the concepts presented here you should be able to feel your way through any installation. Appendix A lists sources of information for installation instructions and other help, if you're at a total loss.

This book contains additional sections detailing the Slackware distribution of Linux.

- 2.1 Distributions of Linux
  - 2.1.1 Getting Linux from the Internet
  - 2.1.2 Getting Linux from other online sources
  - 2.1.3 Getting Linux via mail order
  - 2.1.4 Getting Slackware
    - 2.1.4.1 Slackware disk sets
    - 2.1.4.2 Getting Slackware from the Internet
      - 2.1.4.2.1 Downloading the files
    - 2.1.4.3 Getting Slackware on CD-ROM
    - 2.1.4.4 Installation methods
      - 2.1.4.4.1 Creating the boot and root floppies
      - 2.1.4.4.2 Preparing for installation from hard drive
      - 2.1.4.4.3 Preparing for floppy installation
      - 2.1.4.4.4 Preparing for CD-ROM installation
- 2.2 Preparing to Install Linux
  - 2.2.1 Installation overview
  - 2.2.2 Repartitioning concepts
  - 2.2.3 Linux partition requirements
  - 2.2.4 Repartitioning your drives
- 2.3 Installing the Linux software
  - 2.3.1 Booting Linux
  - 2.3.2 Drives and partitions under Linux
  - 2.3.3 Creating Linux partitions
  - 2.3.4 Creating the swap space
  - 2.3.5 Creating the filesystems
  - 2.3.6 Installing the software
    - 2.3.6.1 Installing Slackware with setup
  - 2.3.7 Creating the boot floppy or installing LILO
  - 2.3.8 Additional installation procedures
- 2.4 Postinstallation procedures
- 2.5 Running Into Trouble
  - 2.5.1 Problems with booting the installation media
  - 2.5.2 Hardware problems
    - 2.5.2.1 Isolating hardware problems
    - 2.5.2.2 Problems recognizing hard drive or controller
    - 2.5.2.3 Problems with SCSI controllers and devices
  - 2.5.3 Problems installing the software
  - 2.5.4 Problems after installing Linux
    - 2.5.4.1 Problems booting Linux from floppy
    - 2.5.4.2 Problems booting Linux from the hard drive
    - 2.5.4.3 Problems logging in
    - 2.5.4.4 Problems using the system

Next: 2.1 Distributions of Linux Up: Linux Installation and Getting Previous: 1.10 Getting Help