OpenSUSE 10.2 Installation Guide

1. Insert the OpenSUSE 10.2 CD/DVD into your drive and boot from it, you will be prompted with a boot menu, you have a couple of options here, like F2 if you want another language for the installation process (English is default) or to select the resolution and the installation source use F3 respective F4 buttons, then just select "Installation" option and hit enter. After the kernel will be loaded and you'll see a very nice OpenSUSE blue boot screen, the wizard appears, asking you to choose the language of the installation process and to agree to the OpenSUSE license.

2. At the Installation Mode screen just hit next and then you have to choose your time zone for the system clock. After you've hit next at the Clock and Time Zone screen select a desktop environment, GNOME or KDE, but you also have an option to choose another window manager. I suggest you stick to both KDE and GNOME, so right now, at this screen, choose either GNOME or KDE, because on the next step of the installation process, we will choose the other desktop environment as well.

3. You will see now a summary of the Installation Settings, which comes in a Standard (default) and Expert (for power users) view. I will suggest using an empty hard drive for this installation; that means no other operating system on it, ok? The partition process is automatic and it will erase all your data from the selected hard drive. Now click on the "Software" link and you'll arrive to the detailed software selection screen. Here, as I've told you a few rows above, you can select the other desktop environment (Graphical Environments section), and also more other software, regarding your needs.

4. After you have finished with the packages selection, click the "Accept" button to return to the initial screen (Installation Settings) so you can carry on with the installation process. Before you will return to the Installation Settings screen, you may see some windows that notify you about the modification in the package selection or to accept some licenses of non open source software. Now hit again the "Accept" button and an installation confirmation will appear, hit the "Install" button and the installation will begin. It will take about 20-30 minutes, depending on the software selection and specs of your PC.

5. When the install process is over, the system will automatically reboot and it will continue with the final configurations for the system. First, you must select a root (System Administrator) password, and then, you have to choose a hostname and Domain Name for the system. After this, you will see a screen with Network Configurations.

6. By default, your network card will be configured with DHCP (dynamic IP address), but if you have a static IP address, you must click on the "Network Interfaces" link and setup your IP manually (you must know the Netmask, Gateway and DNS from your provider). Just hit next after you've done all the settings here, and then you have the option to test your network connection. If everything is successful, click the next button and you'll arrive to "Novell Customer Center Configuration" screen, where I simply suggest you click on the "Configure Later" option and carry on with the installer.

7. Some additional installation sources will be prompted for you to register, but this will take some time and you can add them later, so I suggest you select No and then click the next button so you can opt for the authentication method. I suggest to leave it as it is if you don't know what these settings do and hit the next button again. Now, you must create a user for the system, because it's not a very smart idea to operate a Linux system as root, especially if you're a beginner.

8. After you have created the user, you will see the release notes for OpenSUSE 10.2, which you can view later on the Yast control panel. Hit next and the installer will scan and setup your computer hardware. Take a good look here to see that everything was recognized as it's supposed to be. Normally, the installer will recognize and setup all your hardware correctly, if not, you can click on the hardware component that you consider it was not set up correctly and do extra configuration. Now click the "Finish" button and you'll be automatically logged in into your new OpenSUSE machine. Enjoy !!!

Fedora Core 6 Installation Guide

1. Insert the Fedora Core 6 DVD/CD and boot your PC using it. You'll be presented with a nice Fedora artwork and some options. At this part, I simply suggest to press ENTER, and start the installation process.

2. After pressing the ENTER button, you will see a lot of text; don't worry, because it's normal; then, you'll see a warning telling you that it has found a CD and if you want to test it, just select the SKIP option and prepare to enter the graphical installation part. The first screen is just a welcome one; hit Next and then, on the second screen, you'll have to choose your language - default is English. Hit Next again - the third screen will ask you about your keyboard layout - default is U.S. English.

3. The next screen is about partitioning your hard drive. I always recommend having a blank drive, with no other operating system on it. At this point, I suggest leaving the settings as they are and hitting the Next button. Before we go to the next screen, a warning will appear that says all data on that drive will be destroyed; if you agree to that, just hit YES.

4. The fifth screen lets you set up your network. If you have DHCP (ask your provider if you're not sure), just leave the settings as they are and hit next. If you don't have DHCP and you need to configure your network manually, just press the EDIT button and a pop-up window will appear. Here, uncheck the "Configure using DHCP" option and you'll be able to enter the IP address and the Netmask (ask your provider if you don't know them). This version also has options to setup your IPv6 address, if you have one. Hit OK after you've finished entering the IP and the Netmask, and you'll be back to the initial screen, where you'll see that new fields are available:
Hostname - the name of your computer, you can just enter anything you like, or you can leave it as it is.
Gateway - ask your provider if you don't know what to enter here.
DNS fields - ask your provider if you don't know what to enter here.

5. On the sixth screen you will simply select your country and hit next to go to the following screen, where you'll be asked for the root (Administrator of the system) password - the longer, the better. Hit Next again and we have arrived to the software selection part, which will take some time.

6. The applications are presented in 5 big categories, and each one has subcategories that contain applications which you can add or remove with the help of the "Optional packages" button, that is available only when you check the respective category. Remember that every subcategory has a brief description of what applications it contains and every application has a brief description about what it can do.

Desktop Environments - it contains the GNOME and KDE desktop environments. GNOME is selected by default, but I suggest checking the KDE package and using it as your desktop. It is much more practical than other desktop environments. Remember to press the "Optional packages" button and check all the packages inside.
Applications - contains extra software for all your needs. I suggest exploring every subcategory here and taking a look inside to see if you need some of the existing software.
Development - Here, I strongly suggest checking all the subcategories and every software inside them; it will take some time to do that, but you will need these applications later if you want to compile and install software from the Internet.
Servers - Do not select anything in here. It's only for people who want to turn their machines into a Linux server, but this is not the purpose of this guide.
Base System - Along the selected subcategories, I suggest here to select the 'System Tools' and 'Legacy Software Support' and, of course, everything inside them, as well.
Languages - You can select another language(s) for your system. Later, you can set the system to use this language(s) as default.

7. Now everything will be automatically, just seat back and watch how the partitions will be formatted and the software installation will start.

8. If everything goes well, at the end there will be a final screen that lets you know you have successfully installed your new Fedora Core system, and all you have to do now is to enjoy your new Linux Workstation; don't forget to remove the DVD disc from your drive and hit the Reboot button. The machine will reboot and it will boot into your new Fedora Linux environment. Enjoy !!!

Note: If you require dual booting with Windows or more detailed instructions then refer to “Red Hat 9 Installation Guide” post.