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Chapter 3: Ready, Set, Install!
Overview
In This Chapter
Deciding which Red Hat Linux installation type to use
Starting the Red Hat Linux installation process
Automatically selecting Linux partitions
Configuring your network
Configuring your system options
Going beyond the point of no return
Configuring your graphics system
Finishing the installation
Installing Red Hat Linux 10 isn’t rocket science — it’s more like astrophysics. No, no — just kidding. Don’t run — just relax, sit down, grab your favorite drink, and contemplate the fun you will have installing Red Hat Linux. After you’re done, you will have a powerful computer that’s capable of performing most, if not all, of your daily computing chores — all for the cost of this book! That’s pretty amazing when you think about it: For a few dollars, you get the same amount of operating power that cost megabucks just a few years ago.
This chapter walks you through the process of installing Red Hat Linux. The process involves inserting the companion Red Hat Linux DVD-ROM disc, powering on your computer, and answering some questions.
TipThis book comes with a companion DVD-ROM disc that contains the entire Red Hat Linux distribution. The single DVD-ROM replaces several CD-ROMs and reduces the need to continually swap CD-ROMs during the installation process; it also makes installing the software easier by eliminating the need to find the particular CD-ROM that contains the needed package. If your computer can’t handle DVD-ROMs, however, you can obtain the Red Hat Linux distribution on CD-ROMs by mailing in the coupon in the back of this book.
WarningThe Red Hat Linux installation process has a point of no return. That time comes toward the end of the configuration process, after which the disks are partitioned and the software is written to your hard drive (see the later section “Installation Stage 5: The Point of No Return”). If you stop at or before that point, you save whatever operating system (or systems) exists on your computer.
Warning For installation purists only
You can run the Red Hat Linux installation system from either a graphical or text-based interface. If the installation process successfully detects your graphics hardware, the graphical method is selected automatically, and that’s what we discuss in this chapter. In addition to the ease of using a mouse to point and click, the graphical method groups similar configuration choices. For example, the keyboard and mouse selections are presented within one window, not two, as in the text-based installation.
You may have to use the text-based installation, for these reasons:
Your mother told you never to point and click.
The Red Hat Linux installation system can’t use your graphics adapter. You figure out this situation when the graphical installation window doesn’t appear, but a text-based window does appear; with the text-based system, you use the keyboard to enter information and the cursor (arrow) keys to move from step to step. It doesn’t happen often any more because the folks at Red Hat have done their homework and refined the installation process. However, manufacturers occasionally introduce new graphics systems that the installation system can’t use.
You can select the text-based installation method by typing text at the boot: prompt.
Chapter 3: Ready, Set, Install!
Overview
In This Chapter
Deciding which Red Hat Linux installation type to use
Starting the Red Hat Linux installation process
Automatically selecting Linux partitions
Configuring your network
Configuring your system options
Going beyond the point of no return
Configuring your graphics system
Finishing the installation
Installing Red Hat Linux 10 isn’t rocket science — it’s more like astrophysics. No, no — just kidding. Don’t run — just relax, sit down, grab your favorite drink, and contemplate the fun you will have installing Red Hat Linux. After you’re done, you will have a powerful computer that’s capable of performing most, if not all, of your daily computing chores — all for the cost of this book! That’s pretty amazing when you think about it: For a few dollars, you get the same amount of operating power that cost megabucks just a few years ago.
This chapter walks you through the process of installing Red Hat Linux. The process involves inserting the companion Red Hat Linux DVD-ROM disc, powering on your computer, and answering some questions.
TipThis book comes with a companion DVD-ROM disc that contains the entire Red Hat Linux distribution. The single DVD-ROM replaces several CD-ROMs and reduces the need to continually swap CD-ROMs during the installation process; it also makes installing the software easier by eliminating the need to find the particular CD-ROM that contains the needed package. If your computer can’t handle DVD-ROMs, however, you can obtain the Red Hat Linux distribution on CD-ROMs by mailing in the coupon in the back of this book.
WarningThe Red Hat Linux installation process has a point of no return. That time comes toward the end of the configuration process, after which the disks are partitioned and the software is written to your hard drive (see the later section “Installation Stage 5: The Point of No Return”). If you stop at or before that point, you save whatever operating system (or systems) exists on your computer.
Warning For installation purists only
You can run the Red Hat Linux installation system from either a graphical or text-based interface. If the installation process successfully detects your graphics hardware, the graphical method is selected automatically, and that’s what we discuss in this chapter. In addition to the ease of using a mouse to point and click, the graphical method groups similar configuration choices. For example, the keyboard and mouse selections are presented within one window, not two, as in the text-based installation.
You may have to use the text-based installation, for these reasons:
Your mother told you never to point and click.
The Red Hat Linux installation system can’t use your graphics adapter. You figure out this situation when the graphical installation window doesn’t appear, but a text-based window does appear; with the text-based system, you use the keyboard to enter information and the cursor (arrow) keys to move from step to step. It doesn’t happen often any more because the folks at Red Hat have done their homework and refined the installation process. However, manufacturers occasionally introduce new graphics systems that the installation system can’t use.
You can select the text-based installation method by typing text at the boot: prompt.
