Installing Redhat 7.2

[Poontos]

Just got the CD from one of my text books for my program. My situation appears to be semi-unique, so I thought someone would be kind enough to help me out. 🙂

In class, we have not approached the installation point, but I have installed it before on an empty HD.

Question: Safe to install, if so what tips do you have for this setup?

Inspiron 4100 Laptop
IBM 20GB HD
3Com 3C920 Integrated Fast Ethernet Controller (3C905C-TX Compatible)
ATI Mobility Radeon 16MB

If the NIC & the video card works, that is all I care about.

So the key is, NOT to loose any data on C:\ & E:\.

C:\ NTFS w/ Win2K Pro (One year old rock solid install with lots of custom stuff and such).
D:\ NTFS w/ WinXP Pro (Not using, and plan to use this partition for RedHat) = 4GB total size
E:\ NTFS w/ Backup config files, storage, etc.

Yes, I will make backups, but I do not plan on using them, nor should I have to if RedHat is all it is supposed to be. 🙂

So, will the RedHat install see these NTFS partitions, allow me to identify which is which, and install on the "D:" without screwing up C:\ and & E:\, while allow an obvious dual boot between Win2K & Redhat?

Thank you!

 

[cleverhandle]

I don't think it should be any problem. The video card should be supported by Xfree's radeon driver, and I can't imagine the network card being a problem. What I would suggest is wiping the D: partition using WinXP's management tool rather than linux cfdisk. Just leave it as free space, and let RedHat take it from there. Follow the AT FAQ on dual-booting. No problem.

 

[Poontos]

Originally posted by: cleverhandle
I don't think it should be any problem. The video card should be supported by Xfree's radeon driver, and I can't imagine the network card being a problem. What I would suggest is wiping the D: partition using WinXP's management tool rather than linux cfdisk. Just leave it as free space, and let RedHat take it from there. Follow the AT FAQ on dual-booting. No problem.

Wiping, as in formatting? If so, what file system. If not, please advise. 🙂 Tks!

 

[Poontos]

From the FAQ

a. When asked where to install LILO, DO NOT install LILO in the MBR (Master Boot Record), since this will overwrite Windows OS Loader and you may have to reinstall Windows 2000. Instead, install LILO in other partition (superblock of the root partition of Linux drive).

What is the "other partition" & superblock of the root partition? And how do I create a boot disk from RedHat -- only if you know off the top of your head.
Thanks!

 

[cleverhandle]

Wiping, as in using Windows' disk management utility (part of Computer Management in XP, not sure in 2K) - just right click the partition and choose delete. That will leave free space on the drive, which the RedHat installer should find and use appropriately.

 

[Poontos]

>> 1. Install Windows 2000. Partition part of it for Windows 2000 (either NTFS or FAT32 will work).

Installed last year.

>> 2. Install Linux (any distribution).

In the process. Please see "install options below".

> You have to follow the following two steps exactly:

>> a. When asked where to install LILO, DO NOT install LILO in the MBR (Master Boot Record), since this will overwrite Windows OS Loader and you may have to reinstall Windows 2000.
>> Instead, install LILO in other partition (superblock of the root partition of Linux drive).

What would be the superblock with my setup?

>> b. Create a Linux boot disk. For now, this will be your only way of booting up to Linux.

Quick and dirty way of doing this from another Win2K PC?


THanks!







My current install options....

Should I use GRUB or LILO

Use GRUB as the boot loader

Use LILO as the boot loader

Do not Install a boot loader

Install Boot Loader record on:

MBR
1st sector of boot partition

kernel paramters ?

For use of LBA32 ?

 

[cleverhandle]

I really don't know GRUB vs. LILO questions - but I've always gotten by with LILO just fine, and that's what's in the FAQ, so I'd go with it. I'd guess GRUB would be OK, too, though. You need to install to the boot sector (superblock) of the Linux root partition. I haven't installed RedHat in a long time, but I imagine it should be phrased as a choice between 1) MBR of /dev/hda, 2) boot sector of /dev/hda2, or 3) no boot loader. You want #2. The installation program should give you the opportunity to make a boot disk before it finishes - no need to do this from Windows. You shouldn't need any special kernel parameters. I think you'll want LBA32 addressing for LILO, but the install program should set that up automatically.