For Windows Users: Installing Redhat Linux Part I
From GLUG-BOM
You are here: Main Page > Howtos > For Windows Users:Installing Redhat Linux Part I
Pre-installation steps for installing Redhat Linux 9.0 (RH9)
This How-To is based on how I prepared to install Redhat Linux 9.0 on my home computer and on computers of some of my friends. I will try and keep the language as simple as possible, and try to explain terms with simplicity.
This How-To, is specifically for Windows Users (Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, Home Edition) and how they can install most GNU/Linux based distribution on their computer. I expect this How-To to be more of a generic pre-installation step, though it has been only tried by me for installing Redhat Linux 9.0. This would be useful for those who have Windows installed and plan to dual boot. By dual boot, I mean having Windows installed and install Redhat Linux 9.0 without disturbing or removing Windows. This How-To should also be useful for those, who have installed Windows and partitioned the hard disk with few other partitions that have no data in it. For example, assuming 40 GB hard disk, C: drive is 13 GB disk (Windows installed) and D: drive is a 12GB and E: drive is 12 GB partition. I'll use this as a reference below.
There are advanced techniques for installing GNU/Linux, but what I will cover in this How-To, is how I installed RH9. Assuming, most things work as they are supposed to and there aren't any detection failures. I would like to urge advanced and expert GNU/Linux users to contribute to this How-To and make it comprehensive for different scenarios.
Finding out partitions on your hard disk and allocating "unallocated partition"
1. Typically, you will have a Primary partition and one Extended partition housing several Logical partitions. Use the glossary in Windows Help to see definitions of Primary, Extended and Logical Partition.
2. You can find out this by Right Clicking on My Computer, left click on Manage, and then select "Disk Management" on the left pane. Whenever I mention the terms, Primary Partition, Extended and Logical Partition, you can remember this image and understand what I mean.
3. You will then see how many Primary Partitions and how many Logical partitions you have in your Extended partition.
4. Primary and Logical within Extended are marked with appropriate color codes as it would be seen on the right pane with the mappings of color code to the partition type at the bottom.
5. If you have any unallocated space on your disk, you'll see it marked in black. If this is around 10GB or atleast 8 GB, great. You can proceed further to checking the media, else read the following section to partition your hard disks
Partitioning before installing
1. If you do have Windows installed in C: drive, and data in D: or E: or other drives, that cannot be moved or emptied, and there is no unallocated space for installing RH9, I guess, you will have to spend some time re-partitioning and re-installing.If this is your state, jump to step 3.
2. Though there are distributions, that allow Windows and GNU/Linux, to exist in the same directory, this how-to is more specific to bigger and better distros that are common among many. Redhat Linux, Fedora Core, Ubuntu, Mandriva, Slackware, SimplyMepis.
3. Use any available Partitioning software for Windows or bootable off a CD. Alternatively, one can use GParted LIVE CD.
4. You can view your existing partitions intially to get an idea of where you need to create space for GNU/Linux. Below are the steps for creating an unallocated space for GNU/Linux
4.1 Delete the C: partition
4.2 Create a new partition of around 6 GB (6000 MB), leaving the rest (assuming the above said configuration)
4.3 Format it with FAT32 filesystem and install Windows. (not in the scope of this How-To)
4.4 Check the size unallocated using the fdisk program. Should be around 7 GB. (assuming the above said configuration)
5. Now, assuming that you have Windows installed and an unallocated space, you are ready to install RH9.
6. If you have a Logical partition (in extended partition) that has FAT32 filesystem and does not have any data in it (for example E: drive) , then you can delete this partition and keep it as unallocated space for GNU/Linux.
7. Now you have an unallocated space, that will be used by RH9 for itself.
8. Note, the unallocated partition inside the extended partition can be used for Automatic Partitioning while actually specifying where you wish to install RH9. For unallocated paritions outside the extended partitions , extracted from the primary partition area, they would have to be partioned manually into /swap and / partitions. We'll see details later in Part2.
Checking the Media before installing Redhat Linux 9.0 (RH9)
1. Redhat Linux 9.0 is distributed over three (3) CD's with lots of application programs for use. The list is huge.
2. When you are logged on to Windows, insert the first CD. Close any programs that auto-run from the CD. Save any unsaved files and close all windows.
3. Restart the computer and when the computer begins to restart (after the single beep), press a button to enter the BIOS. Most computers will require the user to press "Del" button or "F2" button on the top to enter the BIOS. You can confirm this using your Motherboard Manual.
4. Select the Boot Device Priority / Boot menu and set the preference of your CD-ROM / RW drive to first boot device. Use your BIOS help on how to do that. Usually, the help is available on a right hand side of the menu/selected item in the BIOS.
5. Press F10 or select the exit menu and select "Save and Exit" to restart the computer.
6. Your computer should boot from the CD-ROM drive and RH9 will detect some hardware and show you a screen with options of Function Keys F1 ... F5, for advanced options. Somewhere near the bottom you should see
boot:_
If your computer doesn't boot off the CD-ROM / RW drive, probably, there is no support for booting from that device.
7. At this prompt, type "linux mediacheck" (without quotes). Therefore, you should see the following thing on screen when you have to check the media
boot:linux mediacheck
8. It will begin checking the first CD and confirm whether it is ok to use this media. Check the other two. You will be prompted to insert the second and third disc.
9. If all the discs are "OK" to use, you can proceed with the next step.
The Part2 of this How-To will direct to a link of Redhat Docs for installation of RH9. The screenshots are already available and the important step in installation, is partitioning the unallocated disks. This will be covered in Part2. I'll try to prepare this Part2 as early as possible.
