Install Fest
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What is an Install Fest?

An Install Fest is a special meeting where members bring their own computer systems to the Install Fest location for the purpose of installing Linux and/or configuring an existing Linux installation or related applications.

Do I need to register for this event?

Registration helps us plan the number of volunteers needed, room size, tables, power equipment and other things needed to help assure that the Install Fest runs smoothly. If people show up without registering in advance, there may not be enough space to allow them to participate.

What version of Linux will I install on my computer?

We suggest that you carefully consider the version {called a distribution} of Linux that best suits your needs from among the popular ones; Red Hat, Caldera, S.u.S.e, Debian, Slackware and others. The choice of which one to install is yours. Because preparation is so important to a successful installation, you should get your distribution prior to the Install Fest, so you can consider any special conditions or requirements.

What Distribution of Linux do you recommend?

Each of the popular distributions has strengths and weaknesses. Assuming that you have considered what you want to do with your Linux system, you will select the distribution that best suits your needs. We recommend that you purchase a "boxed set" from that distributor because, for a nominal charge of about $30-90, you will receive a current release, documentation, tools and utilities that will make installation easier, and typically 90 days of technical support. You can also buy your Linux distribution from retail stores such as Best Buys or CompUSA., or you may choose to install a distribution that is provided with a book.

I thought Linux was Free. Why should I buy a distribution?

Actually, Linux is 'Open' software. This means that you get the source code with the software. Yes, you can download it from the Internet without charge for the software, but remember that it will take time to get hundreds of megabytes of software this way. Further, you may not get the most recent version, special utilities to help with installation, or printed installation guide. Finally, you will not be able to get free technical support for the distribution from the publisher. Often, downloaded versions require considerable additional effort to install, taking even more of your time. We feel that when these factors are considered the boxed distributions are a bargain.

Can I get my distribution from the User's Group?

Often, distributors provide user's groups with CD's that can be provided to members at our Install Fests, for free or for a very nominal cost. Sometimes these are new "unknown" or "experimental" distributions. If you are adventurous, and would like to try one of these, check with us prior to the install fest to see if any will be available.

Who will help me install Linux on my machine?

Other members, like you, will be on hand to volunteer their time to help you install Linux on your computer. These volunteers will have varying degrees of experience installing Linux on other computers. They may need to share their time helping more than one person with an installation. If a member installing Linux is properly prepared, they can anticipate a successful "basic" installation by the end of the Install Fest session.

What is a "basic" installation of Linux?

A basic installation of Linux involves partitioning the hard disk, creating and testing the Linux file system, entering configuration settings for specific system hardware, loading the Linux kernel and selected packages, setting up root and one user account, and cycling through the shutdown/boot up operations to test for proper installation. It time permits, other features, such as x-windows, apache, Netscape and others, may also be installed and tested.

What other steps may need to be performed to complete my Linux installation?

If you plan to connect your system to a printer, the internet, dial-in to your school's computer, or network with one or more other computers, you will need to configure and test these services. Many of these configuration issues will be covered separately as topics of user's group meetings, following the Install Fest. Members will often find other members who will volunteer to assist them in configuring specific services, once the basic installation is complete. After completing the operating system set-up, you may want to install one or more productivity software packages. Samples, demos and trial versions are sometimes included on the distribution CD.

What preparation is necessary, prior to the Installfest?

You need to gather information about the computer system that you want to install Linux on. Where possible, gather manuals. datasheets and documentation for the following:

1) Hard Drive interface: IDE/SCSI, Brand Model, Channel, address, & IRQ

2) Hard Drive: Brand, Model, Size, Heads, Cylinders, Address Mode {LBA?}

3) CD-ROM Drive interface: ATAPI/Proprietary, Brand Model Channel, address, IRQ

4) CD-ROM Drive: Brand, Model, Version, Speed

5) Video Card: Brand, Model, chipset, memory, Type VGA/SVGA

6) Monitor: Brand, Model Scan Frequency

7) Sound Card: Brand, Model, address, IRQ

8) NIC Brand Model, address, IRQ

9) Printer: Brand, Model

10) Mouse: Brand, Model, #buttons, port {com1:?}

11) Modem: Brand, Model, port

With this information available, check over the list of "hardware supported" by the distribution that you plan to install, to make sure there are no conflicts.

 

How do I prepare my Hard Disk to install Linux?

First, make sure you have all files you care about backed up. You must also have a Boot Disk that has CD-ROM drivers, and other special drivers on it so that you can reinstall Windows if necessary. You can make a boot disk in windows from the Control Panel folder, by clicking the Add/Remove software icon. This does not necessarily create a boot disk that has CD-ROM drivers on it, however. You will need to look at autoexec.bat and config.sys files on the root directory of your hard drive to determine the drivers you will have to copy to your boot disk. After these steps are done, you must test booting up with this special disk, making sure that you can log on the hard disk and log in on the CD-ROM.

Next, you must have an unused space on your hard disk that you will install Linux in. Usually, you will need to reduce the size of your existing DOS, or Windows partition to create unused space for the Linux partition. On a 1.2GB Hard Drive, 200-300 MB should be enough for Win/DOS partition, leaving about 900MB for Linux. Alternatively, you may choose to install Linux on a separate hard drive {Plan B} or install Linux as the only operating system. Generally, unless yours is a very small Hard Disk, you will have a more flexible system {Plan A} if you set up a small Win-9x partition and then install Linux on the remainder. This will allow you to choose which operating system you want to use at boot time. Having a Windows partition may also help speed up the installation because you will be able to examine the hardware settings listed in the Device Manager under the System Icon, and because it will allow some baseline testing.

For Plan A, you may want to use PartitionMagic to adjust the size of your existing Win-9x or DOS partition. This allows resizing the Win/DOS partition without having to reinstall the operating system. If you don't have PartitionMagic you can use fdisk to resize the boot partition, then reinstall Win-9x or DOS. If you are going to use fdisk method, you would be wise to reformat the new Win/DOS partition and then reinstall Win-9x or DOS. Leave the remainder of the disk un-partitioned and unformatted. Check your work by booting the new smaller Win/DOS partition.

For Plan B, all you need to do is make sure that the drive is fully functional and working properly.

What size of hard drive do I need ?

It depends what you plan to do with Linux. For your reference :

- Linux alone, in "text mode" or "command prompt", will need about 30 MB to 50 MB .

- If you add X-window, (the graphic user interface) add about 150 MB to 250 MB.

- If you want to add an "office suite" kind of application, (for X-window), add another 150 -500 MB.

-Your OWN Data will be in addition to the space indicated above.

Realistically, Linux can be installed on a hard drive of between 540 MB and 1.2 GB. Bigger is always better, especially if you plan to do a lot of graphics applications.

What do I need to bring to the Install-Fest?

The following is a checklist for equipment and supplies you will need to bring:

--- Computer.

--- Monitor and VGA cable. This is required only if you are planning to install X-windows.

--- Keyboard.

--- Pointing device.

--- Power cable and Power strip.

--- 2 blank diskettes 1.44 MB DOS formatted.

--- Your Boot Disk.

--- Datasheets or specification sheets related to your computer.

--- All the original *distribution disks* for DOS/Win-9x, especially the drivers for CD-ROM.

--- A "print screen" of your BIOS setup.

What don't I need to bring ?

You don't need to bring your printer. You will need to configure and test your printer after Linux is installed. The steps you need to perform for this depends on the distribution you select. Not all printers are compatible with Linux because the maker has not provided information about software drivers that are needed. In general printers that are not supported are Winprinters like the Lexmark 1100 and the HP Deskjet 722 that has special Kodak imaging features. Standard HP 500, 550, and 6xxC DeskJet and HP Laser Jet printers will work correctly.

What kind of hardware will not work with Linux ?

Every distribution includes a list of hardware that is supported, and a list of hardware that is known to be incompatible. Normally, the most recent of these listings are maintained at the web site for your distribution. You should study this listing carefully to see if there are any special considerations for your specific installation.

In general, any hardware that is Windows-9x specific will not work with Linux. Other hardware that may not be compatible include hardware that is relatively new to the market place, or that has special and specific features. Such hardware may eventually become compatible when a Linux driver is written for it. Win-modems and Winprinters are two particular categories of hardware to look out for.

Soundcards may also present a problem, since only the most popular ones are usually supported in a standard distribution. If sound is important to you, you can obtain a driver from: http://www.opensound.com/ that will help you get most sound cards operating.