Help! I'm a total Linux newb!!!

[1611AV]

I just bought Mandrake 8.2 The CD's I bought come with StarOffice 6, KDE 2.2, and a bunch of other software. I'm currently running a dual boot Win98SE/Win2k configuration, but I want to get rid of Win98SE, as my last piece of hardware that wouldn't work with Win2k is now gone. I'm pretty handy with Windows, but know next to nothing about Linux. How do I go about installing Mandrake? Win98 is currently on the C partition of my HD while Win2k is on the D. Is KDE 2.2 a standard component of the Mandrake 8.2 installation? I see that KDE 3.0 has just come out. I'd prefer to install that install of KDE 2.2. How?

I need some serious hand-holding here. Please help me out.

1611AV out...

 

[Jonitus]

Assuming you installed Win2k before Win98, The NT bootloader is in charge of your boot selection. You should have no problem using your windows 98 startup disk to format your Windows 98 partition. You could then install Mandrake 8.2, following the directions of the FAQ on the subject at this site (How to dual-boot Linux/Windows 2000).

...I'm a total computer retard, and I was able to do it easily.

When it works, sing praises to AndyHui for being such a good gent to have the FAQ for you.

Best of luck.

 

[1611AV]

Actually, I installed Win98SE on the C, then threw in my Win2k CD and ran the install program from there. When it asked whether I wanted to upgrade my Win98SE to Win2k I said no and then told it to install a fresh copy of Win2k to the D partition. So, am I using the Win2k bootloader?

 

[manly]

Yes, you're using the NT Boot Loader. This isn't an important detail, as I would recommend a new Linux user to use a boot floppy. Once you're more familiar with Linux booting, you can decide how to integrate Linux into the boot loader on the hard drive (there are at least two ways of doing this).

For starters, you'll need at least two partitions to install Linux. One is for the root filesystem; the other is for swap space. Mandrake comes with something called DrakX which should be able to carve the C: partition into two partitions. However, I'm concerned that this is not the way to go because W2K already believes there is a C: filesystem, and it is installed on the D: filesystem. If you remove the C: filesystem (replacing them with Linux), I strongly suspect W2K will become hopelessly confused.

Offhand, I'm not sure what the most reasonable way of replacing W98 w/ Linux in your case would be.

Mandrake's web site has user manuals you'd want to read before and after installation.

Finally, installing KDE3 is pretty easy. You download the KDE3 packages (rpm files) from a mirror site, and then install the .rpm files. You'll want to read up on RPM to understand a little of what's going on. These are the files you want:

arts3-1.0.0-2mdk.i586.rpm
kde3-koffice-1.1.1-7mdk.i586.rpm
kdeartwork3-3.0-4mdk.i586.rpm
kdebase3-3.0-6mdk.i586.rpm
kdebase3-nsplugins-3.0-6mdk.i586.rpm
kdeedu3-3.0-3mdk.i586.rpm
kdegames3-3.0-3mdk.i586.rpm
kdegraphics3-3.0-3mdk.i586.rpm
kdelibs3-3.0-2mdk.i586.rpm
kdenetwork3-3.0-4mdk.i586.rpm
kdepim3-3.0-3mdk.i586.rpm
kdesdk3-3.0-3mdk.i586.rpm
kdetoys3-3.0-3mdk.i586.rpm
kdeutils3-3.0-4mdk.i586.rpm
libarts3-1.0.0-2mdk.i586.rpm
libqt3-3.0.3-2mdk.i586.rpm

I believe the kdegraphics3 package requires gphoto2 (and whatever that requires) to be installed. Use the Mandrake Software Manager to easily install gphoto2.

 

[1611AV]

Thanks, manly. Would I be better off just reformatting my hard drive, making 3 partitions (C:, D:, E:, with a partition for the Mandrake root file system, one for Mandrake's swap space, and a Win2k one?) and installing Win2k on the C partition? I don't want to jury rig this. I want it done right the first time.

 

[manly]

Well, if you have free time on your hands, or your W2K installation is getting a bit dirty, then doing everything from scratch would not be a bad idea. Geeks wouldn't mind.

For W2K, you just need the C: filesystem (not D: and E. Drive letters are Microsoft's way of labeling formatted filesystems, so don't associate them with partitions (which can be used by any OS). Anyway, just create a partition/C: filesystem that's a portion of your hard drive, and install W2K. W2K Setup can both delete existing partitions, and create a C: filesystem of a specific size. You decide what portion of the drive should be allocated for W2K and Mandrake.

Afterward, you can start up Mandrake installation. Mandrake will pick up the blank (unpartitioned space) on the drive, and automatically carve it up (partition) appropriately (an expert user can customize the partitioning). Near the end of the installation, for a new user, I'd suggest using a boot floppy for Mandrake. However, if you let Mandrake installation write a boot loader to your hard drive, most likely it'll make an appropriate decision (meaning when your PC boots up, some type of menu will be shown and you choose which OS to boot).

I know it's obvious, but remember to back up any important data. =) Note I've tried to give specific-enough hints, but to not provide all the exact steps to take. That way, you can do some research and gain important understanding before diving in head-first.

 

[1611AV]

Manly:

I have a 30GB drive. So you're saying that when I reformat my HD I should create a c: partition of, say, 15 gigs and install Win2k on that, but to leave the other 15GB worth of drive unformatted and let Mandrake do that during it's installation process?

1611AV

 

[manly]

Yes.

 

[1611AV]

Thanks, manly. You've been a big help.

1611AV