Chapter3.Getting Ready to Install Linux

Chapter 3. Getting Ready to Install Linux

Some thought, and perhaps some work, is necessary to prepare for Linux. Before you begin the installation of Linux, you need to do the following:

• Check your hardware: Linux requires certain minimum hardware resources. In addition, Linux needs to communicate with your hardware, such as your monitor and your mouse. You can check your hardware to ensure that it's compatible with your Linux distribution.

• Obtain the Linux software: The easiest way to obtain Linux is to purchase it. When you purchase a Linux distribution, CDs with Linux ready to install arrive on your doorstep. On the other hand, the quickest way to obtain Linux is to download it from the distribution Web site. However, then you must copy the downloaded files onto a CD.

• Plan your preferred computer system: Linux can be installed alone on your computer or can be installed together with another operating system, such as Windows.

• Prepare your computer for multiple operating systems: If you plan to run more than one operating system, you need to prepare separate sections of the hard disk, called partitions, for each operating system.

• Set up your computer to boot from the CD drive: To install Linux from the CDs, you need to boot your computer from the CD drive. You need to determine whether your computer can boot from the CD. If it doesn't, you can change its settings so that it does boot from the CD. Or, you can boot from a floppy disk.