Linux Installation Process

Before you begin, make sure you have everything ready for the installation:

1. You have downloaded and burned the Linux Mint 4.0 Daryna .iso to CD.
2. You have allocated the required hardware resources (dual boot, second machine or a virtual machine).
3. (Optional) You have installed and configured the VMware Server and created a Linux Mint virtual machine.
4. You know how to boot from CD (regardless of the installation platform).

If you have troubles with the above stages, you really should read the other Linux articles ...

Insert the CD and boot. Choose the first entry to boot into the live CD session.

After a few minutes, you will reach the live desktop. Just like the latest Ubuntu release (7.10 Gutsy Gibbon), Daryna boots into a desktop with a somewhat awkward 1680x1050px resolution. If your monitor does not support this resolution, the live CD will change it to fit the highest available resolution that your monitor can allow.

Personally, I found this resolution to be too big for my taste. However, manually changing the resolution does not work at this stage. For this reason, most of my screenshots will show a truncated section of the desktop centered around relevant windows.

Daryna features a pleasant black-and-green desktop. Windows users will appreciate the location of the would-be Start Menu in the left lower corner, which is more typical for the KDE rather than Gnome.

This is a good opportunity to get accustomed to the menus and features, check the hardware compatibility and test some of the installed programs.

The Start Menu is progressive (similar to SUSE 10.2); in other words, it will change as you hover your mouse over different sections, allowing you to reach the required entry without too many clicks. It also allows quick access to some of the most important functions - different locations on the machine, applications, and system functions, like the Terminal, Control Center, or the Package Manager.



To begin the installation, click on the Install icon. You will first have to select the installation language.



The next step is to choose your location. Amsterdam looks like a good choice. Be aware that the location choice will determine the local time on your machine as well as which servers will be used to download updates; the closer the better.

Next, select your keyboard layout.

Since the hard disk is empty, we will first create a partition table. If your system already contains partitions and might have other operation systems installed, you will not have to do this step. Furthermore, you should carefully examine the layout of the partitions and choose accordingly.


Click on the listed device (in our case,the single SATA drive, /dev/sda). Next, click on New Partition Table.



If your hard disk is empty, you can ignore the warning. If you have partitions and data that you do not wish to remove, you should not proceed. Instead, use existing partitions to setup your system. Nevertheless, no change will be permanent until you complete the partitioning process




Click Continue to proceed.

Once the Partition table is created, you will have the free space available to create the partitions.






Click on the free space and choose New Partition.

We will repeat the process three times, creating the swap, root (/) and home (/home).

Once you are done, click Forward to proceed.

Next, you will have to setup the user. Choose a strong password.

That's it. Review your choices before you click Install.

he distro will now install. It should take only about 5-10 minutes.

Once the installation is complete, remove the CD from the tray and restart the computer.


After you restart the computer, you will see the GRUB menu. The default timeout is only 5 seconds, but you can change that later if you want.

After several moments, you'll reach the login screen.

The first time you log in, the Linux Mint assistant will pop and ask you a number of questions.



First, you will be asked if you wish to setup the root account. Like Ubuntu, Linux Mint offers full sudoing without the root account. This increases security and therefore, enabling the root account is not recommended. Indeed, you should not enable the root account unless you really feel like it.

Next, you'll be asked whether to enable fortunes in the terminal windows - geeky quotes that are in the best spirit of Linux. It's entirely up to you to decide if you want or need them.

You will be asked to approve your choices.

That should complete the assistant setup.

You will now reach an elegant desktop.

Ubuntu Installation Process

What do I need to get started?

· You will need the Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop ISO image that corresponds to your hardware architecture (i386 or amd64), and which can be downloaded from here. When the download is over, burn the ISO image with your favorite CD/DVD burning application (Brasero on Ubuntu or Nero, CDBurnerXP, Roxio on Windows) on a blank CD at 8x speed. Insert or leave the CD in your CD/DVD-ROM device, and reboot the computer in order to boot from the CD. Hit the F8 or F12 key (depending on your BIOS) to select the CD/DVD-ROM as the boot device.


Select your language when asked...

Select the second option "Install Ubuntu," and hit the “Enter” key...

Wait for the CD to load into RAM...

When the installer appears, you are able to select your native language for the installation process. Click the “Forward” button to continue...

Where are you?

· The second screen will feature a map of the Earth with little red dots, so you can select your city/country. Upon the selection of your current location, the time for the final system will adjust accordingly. You can also select your current location from the drop down list situated at the bottom of the window.

Click the “Forward” button after you have selected your desired location...





Test your keyboard

· On the third screen, you will be asked to select the keyboard layout that suits you best (default is U.S. English). You can also test your keyboard on the small text input field situated at the bottom of the window.

Click the “Forward” button when you have finished with the keyboard configuration..




Hard disk partitioning

Hold on, don't leave just yet! The hard disk partitioning is an easy task, so I am quite sure you will handle it too. You have three options here:

1. If you want to keep your existing operating system (e.g. Dual boot with Windows XP), select the first option: "Guided - resize the partition and use the freed space." This option will appear if you have another operating system installed, such as Microsoft Windows. Remember that, after the installation, the Windows boot loader will be overwritten by the Ubuntu boot loader!

2. If you want to delete your existing operating system, or the hard drive is already empty and you want to let the installer automatically partition the hard drive for you, select the second option, "Guided - use entire disk."

3. Manual is the third choice and it is recommended for advanced users.

WARNING: Be aware that all the data on the selected hard drive or partition will be ERASED and IRRECOVERABLE.

Click the “Forward” button to continue with the installation...





Who are you?

· On this screen, you must do exactly what the title says. Fill in the fields with your real name, the name you want to use to log in on your Ubuntu OS (also known as the “username”), the password and the name of the computer (automatically generated, but can be overwritten). Also at this step, there's an option called “Log in automatically.” If you check the box on this option, you will be automatically logged in to the Ubuntu desktop.

Click the “Forward” button...



Are you really ready for Ubuntu?

· This is the final step of the installation. Here, you can select to install the boot loader on another partition or hard drive than the default one...

Click the “Install” button to install Ubuntu...

The Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) operating system will be installed...

After approximately 8 to 15 minutes (depending on your computer's specs), a pop-up window will appear, notifying you that the installation is complete, and you need to restart the computer in order to use the newly installed Ubuntu operating system.

Click the “Restart Now” button...

The CD will be ejected, remove it and press the “Enter” key to reboot...

The computer will be restarted and, in a few seconds, you will see the Ubuntu login screen. Input your username and password.

Have fun using Ubuntu!

windows 98 installation process

What you will require to do this walkthrough is

1. A Windows 98 CD

2. A Computer with CD-ROM access

To start this Windows install. First check that the first boot device in your system BIOS is set to the CD-ROM Drive.

( To find out how to access the BIOS please refer to your motherboard manual or the manufacturer of your computer. (The system bios can usually be entered on boot, usually by pressing the F1, F2, F8, F10 or DEL key. Make sure you save the settings before exiting))

If you are unsure or don't want to enter the BIOS then just test the computer by putting the CD-ROM in the drive and rebooting the computer. This is the recommended way to install windows.

You will know that your computer will/has booted of CD-ROM when the following screen appears.

PART 1

To begin the Windows 98 install select Option 2 (Boot from CD-Rom)

The following screen will appear next. Select Option 1. (Start Windows 98 Setup from CD-ROM)

Your CD-ROM driver will now install, be patient this may take a few moments.

Now press Enter to continue, or F3 to exit.

Setup will now perform checks on your system, press Enter to continue.

Next Scandisk will run, let this complete or setup.

Now setup will copy important files for the install.

PART 2

Setup has now begun, the mouse should now be active, press Continue to proceed. If you have a change of mind then press Exit Setup. If the mouse is not active press "ENTER" on the keyboard.

The wizard will now start. Be patient this may take a few moments.

Now select the directory you wish to install Windows into. By default C:\Windows will be selected. You can change this, but it is not advised. Click on Next to Continue.

Setup will now prepare the directory, be patient this may take a moment.

Setup now checks disk space.

What do you wish to install. We recommend Typical, which is the default. So click Next to continue.

Windows Components to be installed will now be listed. Leave at default and press Next.

If a Network card has been detected the following will appear. Fill in the details and click Next.

Now your country settings, select as needed and then press Next.

Windows will now copy files, this will take sometime. Be patient

PART 3

After sometime you will be prompted to restart, Windows will do it itself, you can click on Restart Now to quicken the process.

The CD-ROM boot menu will appear. Select option 1 (Boot from Hard Disk)

Booting for first time screen will appear.

Now enter your name, company is optional. Click on Next to continue.

Now the License Agreement. Read and if you agree click on "I accept the Agreement" and click next. If you select ""I don't accept the Agreement" then setup will end.

Now input your product key or certificate authenticity code. This is 16 digits and is located on the back of your CD case or on the Windows 98 Book. If you have an OEM computer then it could be on the side or back of your computer. Click next to continue.

Next click on Finish.

PART 4

Setup will now finalize the hardware and install settings.

Plug and Play Devices.....

Your computer will prompt to restart...

The CD boot menu will appear. Select option 1 (Boot from Hard Disk) and press enter.

Windows is booting.

and continuing the install of devices.

PART 5

Now select your date/time settings, using the down arrow beside GMT -0800.

Once selected click on apply and then OK.

Windows will continue to setup Windows items.

The computer will now need restarted again.

PART 6

The CD-ROM boot menu will appear. Select Option 1 (Boot from Hard Disk) and press enter

Windows will continue to load.

and update System Settings.

At long last you have arrived at the desktop.

If you are lucky you will have no drivers to install, but chances are the next step will be to install them. Check out device manager for unknown devices, likely items are Network Cards, Sound Cards, Printers, Scanners, Graphics Cards, Digital Cameras, plus any other item you have.