Getting ready to install slackware linux

This thursday is the big day! Installing linux! Alright, I need to prepare so I don't waste time on thursday. I'm going to download slackware from www.slackware.org. I'm going to use fdisk to format the 20 GB hard drive (windows is not installed on that one).

At this point, there will be my 100 GB hard drive with windows on it.

How do I make a boot disk for installing linux? Also, when and where do I need to install [LILO?] for a dual boot setup? Is LILO the only option? How do I set it up?

Any tutorials on this would be helpful as well.

>> How do I make a boot disk for installing linux?

use the rawrite util that is on the cd to copy the right image (again, on the cd) to the disk. There should be a readme or something on the cd telling you which image you should copy onto it and how to use rawrite. Once thats done place the floppy in the floppy drive and the cd in the cd drive then restart + pray.

//I'm going to download slackware from www.slackware.org
Nice selection, slack, is one of the most big distros, and for a lot of users, is the best distro ever.

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How do I make a boot disk for installing linux? Also, when and where do I need to install [LILO?] for a dual boot setup? Is LILO the only option? How do I set it up?

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Slack will install this alone, you can make a system boot disk using rawrite, but do not worry, slack will install alone the LILO in /mbr (choose mbr, or else, if you know what you're doing).

The slackware CDs you burn are bootable, so just set your BIOS to boot from the CD before the hard disk . Stick the CD in the drive, reboot the computer and the install program will start after the POST.

So I don't even need to create a boot diskette? I've got two physical hard drives right now, neither have partitions. They are the c: and f:. I am going to format the f:. After that I just go into the BIOS, change boot order to boot from CD-ROM first, put in slackware CD that I get from www.slackware.org (download of course), then the install should start up?

And I get to select the hda2 or whatever it is called?

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So I don't even need to create a boot diskette?

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No, you dont need, the only case that you'll need is if the cd-rom, isnt making any boot.

Remember, linux don't work under FAT's or NTFS.
You'll need to create an special partition with EXT as file system.

You can do this, trough the fdisk, during the linux installation, it may require you some hability with working in Fdisk, but this fdisk is more difficult than the Window's one.

is there anything special i need to do or prepare prior to installation that will enable me to have a dual-boot with windows and linux?

pray

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Originally posted by Leeman_s
is there anything special i need to do or prepare prior to installation that will enable me to have a dual-boot with windows and linux?

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Well if its like Mandrake, it should install that part for you and set up the mamager, either grub or LILO. In the worst case you will have to set that up for yourself, slackware may take care of it for you.

Just back up necessary files if you arent confident, and pray..

Someone above said slack will install LILO. What do I set for the boot order in BIOS after I've installed?

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Originally posted by Leeman_s
Someone above said slack will install LILO. What do I set for the boot order in BIOS after I've installed?

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if you dont know what your doing slackware might not be the best bet by the way...

look into suse or redhat

and if you just like causing yourself pain i would recommend debian over slackware(silly slackware people will surely pipe in)

hey man i'll be fine, im good at figuring things out

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Originally posted by Vber

Remember, linux don't work under FAT's or NTFS.
You'll need to create an special partition with EXT as file system.

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On the contrary, you can install linux on a FAT partition.

Also, instead of messing up your hard drive, I'd try a cd rom bootable linux distro like demolinux or knoppix first.

I'd suggest reading thru http://www.slackware.com/book/
It'll tell you everything you need to know.

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Originally posted by Scourfish
On the contrary, you can install linux on a FAT partition.

Also, instead of messing up your hard drive, I'd try a cd rom bootable linux distro like demolinux or knoppix first.

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Not all the linux dude, not all!