Installing Linux

Thanks for visiting InstallLinux.org.  Here we will do our best to show you how to install Linux on your computer.  The version we will be showing you how to install is Linux Fedora Core 6.  Linux is a fantastic operating system packed with all the programs you need for your computer.  It comes with programs such as gimp (graphics editor), OpenOffice.org (programs similar to word and excel), and loads of other programs as well.  Installing linux is a good learning opportunity as it is becoming more popular and may be the wave of the future as it gains on Microsoft's Windows

Before installing linux it is important that you understand installing linux MAY overwrite your current operating system.  Make thorough backups of all your files that you need.

The below guide is for installing Fedora Core, probably the most popular Red Hat Linux operating system.

How to install Fedora Core:

To install Fedora Core you will need 5 CD’s and a cd burner, or you can use 1 DVD and a dvd burner.  You will also need a image burner to burn image files to a CD.  This is simply a program that lets you burn image files.  Something such as roxio would do fine.

First go to the Fedora core website - http://fedora.redhat.com/ and click the download.  Here you will find many mirror sites where you can download image files to create your install discs.  Choose whichever mirror you wish and look for the folder that has 5 image CDs. 

Save the first (it is probably fairly large so give it some time).   Once you have downloaded the entire first Image file, also known as a full CD, your next step is to burn it to a CD or dvd.  If you have a dvd burner and wish to do install it on a dvd, skip downloading all 5 CD’s and simply download the 1 DVD file for the whole installation.  However if you only have a CD burner, no problem. 

Download the first CD and burn it.  You MUST burn it using an image burner.  Using a data disk burning software will not work.  The recommended program for burning image files is Nero.  Repeat this step downloading and burning disk 2.  If you are downloading version 6, stop here. 

Next insert the first disk into your computer and boot the computer.  You should get the beautiful Fedora screen asking you about your installation.  Just fill out the installer as for what fits your computer and what you wish.  It should take you around 45 minutes for the first CD to finish.  Once this has finished it will tell you to put in disk two and then it should reboot.  All is going well!  Again proceed to installing.  It should take another 45 minutes or so and tell you it has successfully installed Fedora. 

Congratulations!  You now have fedora installed on your computer.  Boot your computer and you should get a dos prompt for your username/password.  Enter the root and password.

For FAQ and problems, please see our FAQ section on the top left.