Why is linux so hard to install

[TuOni]

I cant stand the install process for 6.0 turbo..geez

 

[Regalk]

I just tried it out - can't get past the login screen - I am begininng to get frustrated

 

[jaywallen]

Keeps the riff-raff (like me) out!

It will be worth it. Think of the snob-appeal when you get it running and you can sneer at us Windows users!

Regards,
Jim

 

[cirrus1]

Regalk: You say that you have forgot the password or does it hang?
The user that you've entered password for during installation is called "root" and that is what you should log in as in the firstplace

 

[Regalk]

Thanks again for the reply cirrus1. After 7 repeated installs i gave up. It did not like my new Matrox 450 (have new driver downloaded and waiting) and monitor showed NO display even after i set it to generic.
So now I am on to Windows 2000. Had enough of linux for now.

 

[michaelh20]

Yeah, it's kind of not so user friendly. You have to run the right setup program and then try to enter things that don't completely mess up the display (for x windows) (unless you happen to find the right monitor in there, I guess??)

I wish they'd just have people writing configuration files for video cards and monitors so people could just stick em in there without guessing at the obscure numbers they dont have.

I had a fun time trying to setup my mouse too. Do not, I repeat do not, change the mouse settings if it works ok when you start. Because if you do, it might get messed up and you'll have to get through the menu with a mouse that randomly jumps all over the screen and you can't just use the keyboard ....

I managed to install SUSE without the 2 gigs of stuff it does by default. In a testament to the install program, though, I did install everything and then xwindows and it worked ok......

 

[FUBAR]

If you want a better handle on the way things work, you should do a non-X install and then pile it on top.

Either way, if you do screw up the X settings, you can drop back to a virtual terminal in text mode. All decent dist's that I know of run multiple (7 usually) terminals. In an all text environment (no X running) you switch back and forth with alt+F#1-7 and from an X session you do a ctrl+alt+F#1-7 to get to a non-x term.

That's a really helpful tidbit for when you screw up your x settings.

 

[ddiccico]

Regalk:
if you forgot your root pass, boot the machine in single user mode. you should get a root shell - you can change password there.

 

[Damaged]

Actually the virtual terminal thing is an x86 thing, not a distro thing.

To get to single mode type: linux single at the LILO prompt.

 

[BOFH]

Damaged - actually Virtual terms work on almost all hardware supported, but linux. I've used it on Sparcs most recently

I don't understand what all the problems people have installing stuff is about. My mother has installed several times on her own just by reading the freely available docs

 

[Damaged]

BOFH, really? I swear I read somewhere that VCs weren't supported on SPARC or Alpha hardware. I'm not sure about PPC stuff either.

I'll take your word for it on the SPARCS though.

 

[BOFH]

Damaged - yep. I have a ppc motorola box sitting next to me right now and VC's work nicely on it. I've also used VC's on various Macs. I've seen them used on alphas, but haven't messed with them much. I'm pretty sure they work on Mips and m68k too.

 

[Damaged]

Crap! Nevermind. It wasn't Linux, it was OpenBSD where that was the case. For whatever reason their disto only supports VCs on x86 stuff. Again, this was from about a year ago, but at least I know where that idea came from now.

 

[najar]

Personally I have had the best experience with RedHat realeases. It's installation gives you just the right amount of flexibility and user-friendliness. BTW, i have tried all the other Distributions that claim to be very user-friendly such as CorelLinux and Mandrake. Also make sure you have the latest release you can get your hands on. Linux installaton has come a long way since just a year ago so make sure you have the latest or better yet waite a short while 'till the major distributions come with their next release which will include kernel 2.4.x and lots of other goodies. good luck!!