BOOT CAMP 446 (17/10/06)

Installing Linux part 1

A few weeks ago, in Faqs! Facts! Fax! 531 (10/09/06) in response to a query about the DT Mk II ‘Vista Ready’ computer (Boot Camp 436) I casually mentioned that if anyone was interested in finding out about how to install Linux on this machine they should write in, and you did!

The sizeable response was unexpected, and not just from DT MK II builders, so in the next few episodes of Boot Camp we are going to be looking at how to install Linux on a Windows XP computer in a dual-boot configuration, so at switch on you will have a choice of operating systems. We’ll also deal with a single boot (i.e. Linux only) installation, so there’s something for everyone. If you just want to get a flavour of Linux, without compromising your system have a look at Boot Camp 403, which looks at a version of Linux that boots directly from a CD.

I have to warn you that the dual-boot procedure we’ll be using is not without risk so I urge you not to try it on your main PC unless you have backed up all of your irreplaceable files and are prepared to accept the consequences of something going wrong. There is a small chance you could lose your XP system and if you do get into difficulties we are unable to provide technical help so consider yourself duly warned!

Let’s begin with a checklist of the things you will need. First your PC should be reasonably up to date and in good health. If your system is flaky or you have any hardware problems installing Linux will not improve the situation…

You will need somewhere to put Linux and in an ideal world that will be on a separate partition on your hard disc drive (i.e. the drive is split into two or more ‘logical’ or virtual drives). However, the chances of you having a spare unused partition handy, or enough ‘unallocated’ space on your drive to create one are very small. That leaves us with two alternatives; you can install a second or ‘slave’ drive exclusively for Linux, or put your faith in Linux and allow it to create a new partition from the free space on your drive.

Most versions or ‘distributions’ of Linux are quite small and do not take up much space, you can get away with as little as a 5 gigabytes but I recommend allocating at least 20Gb to it, preferably more if you are going to be using it seriously. If you are running out of space on your hard drive or it has become cluttered and fragmented the chances of something going wrong at the partitioning stage are higher so don’t take chances! If you still want to go ahead you should carry out a thorough clean up of your drive including running the Windows defrag utility and disc error checker (in Windows Explorer or My Computer right-click the hard drive icon and select the Tools tab).  

The only other thing you will need is a copy of Linux. There are many distributions to choose from -- almost 400 at the last count -- but the good news is that many of them are absolutely free. That’s one of the many benefits of Open Source software, but there is a catch. The freebie versions are all in the form of downloads and you will need to be able to burn a CD (possibly several) or a DVD from an ISO file. It’s not difficult (see this weeks Top Tip) but it can be a bit daunting if you never done it before and time consuming if you don’t have a lighting fast broadband connection. Alternatively you can use a ready-made copy of Linux, they are widely available from PC stores, on the web and ebay from around £5 upwards so it’s not going to break the bank, but the big question is which one to use?

Every Linux expert and aficionado will have their own favourite and the currently trendy and topical Ubuntu was high on my list of candidates but in the end I’ve plumped for a tried and tested distribution called Mandriva (formerly Mandrake).

There’s nothing to stop you using one of the others -- and many of the steps involved in the installation are exactly the same -- but you will be on your own when it comes to crucial things like disc partitioning. Mandriva scores highly with the simplicity and reliability of its partitioning tools. It’s also been around for a while, so it’s well housetrained. It’s very easy to use, ideal for beginners and if you want to take the plunge, it’s a very credible alternative to Windows.

NEXT WEEK – Installing Linux, part 2

JARGON FILTER

DISTRIBUTION

A complete Linux package containing the main operating software, a ‘shell’ or desktop program plus a selection of popular applications

ISO FILE

International Standards Organisation Image file (aka ISO 9660) a representation or ‘image’ of the contents and filing structure of a program installation disc

OPEN SOURCE

Software with minimal licensing and broad, often free distribution, which users are encouraged to help develop

TOP TIP

If you want to download and burn your own copy of Mandriva make sure that you have sufficient space on your hard drive to store the file, which is around 4.3Gb. For the sake of simplicity I suggest using the DVD version (assuming your have a DVD writer) if not you will have to use the CD version and burn 4 discs.

The download is in the form of an ISO file and although you can use applications like Roxio Media Creator and Nero Burning to make a disc the quick and simple method is a freeware utility like ImgBurn.

Once installed open ImgBurn, make sure your CD/DVD burner is showing in the Destination box, select the Mandriva download as the Source File and Burn Speed of x2 or x4 (the slower the better) and click the Record button. 

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© R. Maybury 2006, 0410

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