Gentoo Linux Install CD

[Raven76]

I'm currently running Linux Mandrake on my extra PC. It's alright, but since my ultimate goal is to set up a server, I would like things to be trimmed down a bit. I followed the advice of a certain member here and checked out Gentoo Linux. I looks interesting, but the install CD is confusing my a little. It's worded like this on their website:

"To begin the install process, first grab the latest 16Mb build CD ISO image (build-ix86-1.0_rc6-r17.iso is the latest at the time this article was written) from http://www.ibiblio.org/gentoo/snapshots/build/ if you want to use the "build from scratch" install method. If you prefer the Pentium+ fast binary install method; grab the ~600Mb binary CD ISO image (build-i586-1.0_rc6.iso is the latest at the time this article was written) from the same URL. The Pentium+ fast binary CD can also be used as a "from scratch" CD for i486+ systems. Once you're done downloading the CD that you'd like to use, burn the ISO image to a CD using your preferred CD burning software."

Baiscally, I don't understand which version I want since I don't understand the options. I know I want the version that will ask me a bunch of questions about what I want to install. That way I can answer the questions incorrectly and screw up the installation. Then I can reinstall a few times until I get it right at which point I can start screwing up the OS itself, because I know very little about Linux. Eventually, after fixing many of my own screw ups, I will finally know Linux.

What I need to know is:

Why is one install CD so much larger than the other?
Is the end result from both CD's the same, or does the 600MB CD have extra features/apps? (like the 2nd CD for Mandrake)
Am I going to go insane trying to use this version of Linux, and does it matter if I do? (answer is optional)

 

[TheWart]

Cool, glad to see you try this distro out, you wont be sorry. First thing i reccomend is that you joint the mailing list. It is your friend. Hundreds of emails go through each week and you learn a lot, also, before you ask anyhting on the list, be sure to search the archives. Okay, here is the deal with the diff versions.

The whole point of Gentoo is that all the programs are built for your architecture(not just the generic 386). So the traditional way to install Gentoo is to get the latest 16mb ISO image, whcih includes a barebones shell commands, and then format your disk, and then connect to the net and configue your software. However, if you have a 586 (a normal pentium if i remmber correctly, my PIII is a 686), then you can get the "binary" version which has the packages pre-configred for a 586 system. If for nothing more than to learn, I suggest doing the 16mb ISO way. You will need to burn the ISO to a CD, and then bootup with it. What you will do is bascially create some partitions, and then chroot over to them and complete the install. Be forewarned, it takes some time to build the programs, esp X/Gnome, but it is a lot faster than any other distro in the end.

Good luck!

 

[Raven76]

That is what I though it meant, but 16MB seemed so small that I doubted it was right. Since the rest of the files come of the net, it makes a lot more sence now. Thanks.

 

[SinNisTeR]

sweet. gonna do it now too

 

[DaHitman]

Hehe..this is funny to see...


I downloaded Gentoo night before last and started to try the 16mb compile everything from source install, and ran into some problems...


It seems that gentoo... MUST HAVE a separate /boot parition for it to install correctly.. I was just gonna put it all in one big / partition and only have a separate swap..

SO...something to keep in mind is that you need a separate /boot parition of about 100MB or so for it to work correctly apparently.

 

[SinNisTeR]

100mb!?!??!?!? deeeeeeeum

this is what they had on their site..

boot partition, containing kernel(s) and boot information >10 Megabytes ext2/3 highly recommended (easiest); if ReiserFS then mount with -o notail /dev/hda1

i made mines 20mb.. i hope it goes well.. doing it now

 

[SinNisTeR]

=\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ WTH!

my gentoo is doing alllllllllll fine.. up until it hits a snag in the bootstrap build.. ;[

it stopped at ms_MY.ISO-8859-1 :|

 

[EHobaX]

Wow. I've been intrigued by this distro of Linux since I first read about it.
No unwanted bloat. I suppose this is a tad easier than doing the LFS.
I may test it out as soon as I get my federal tax return to build a new box.

I'm wondering if anyone has tested out the WineX rpms on it. If not, it
looks like I'll have to get comfortable with CVS. I've been putting it off, but
better late than never I suppose.

 

[mcveigh]

DOesent sorceror linux install packages the same way? if so what is the difference in these distro's

 

[TonyRic]

It appears that the Lucent Technologies Orinoco cards are not supported on the 16MB build, dunno about the 600mb iso. Will try that after vacation, but I cannot find a way to (easily)rebuild ALL of the packages, post installation.

Any takers on this? I really don't wish to use my Xircom NIC just to install the OS.

Cheers.


BTW, installed Gentoo on my PIII 800 Thinkpad T21 inside VMware just to try it out and it looks slick.

 

[Derango]

If its not supported on the 16MB build...It probably wont be supported on the larger image. The only thing the larger image includes thats not in the 16MB ISO is binaries of all of the programs compiled during the bootstrap phase.