Differences between current version and previous revision of HowToPreInstallationChecklist.
Other diffs: Previous Major Revision, Previous Author, or view the Annotated Edit History
| Newer page: | version 3 | Last edited on Sunday, November 28, 2004 1:01:50 am | by AristotlePagaltzis | |
| Older page: | version 2 | Last edited on Thursday, May 1, 2003 11:19:04 am | by JohnMcPherson | Revert |
@@ -1,1363 +1 @@
-(see also LinuxInstallationNotes)
-----
-
-GNU/Linux pre-installation checklist
-!!!GNU/Linux pre-installation checklist
-! Algologic Research 8 Solutions
-
-
- algolog (at) hd1.vsnl.net.in
-
-
-
-__Revision History__Revision 2.6.028 November 2000Revised by: Initial release using docbook sgml.
-
-
-
-
-
- This document provides a checklist for installing GNU/Linux (hereafter referred
-to as Linux) as well as hints and tips along the way.
-Translations in Japanese, Dutch, and French are available in Section 1.3.
-The most current version of this checklist will be posted online at:
- http://members.tripod.com/~algolog/lnxchk.htm. Sgml source for this document
-is located here.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-----; __Table of Contents__; 1. Introduction: ; 1.1. Copyright Information; 1.2. Disclaimer; 1.3. Translations; 1.4. Acknowledgements; 1.5. Who should read/use this?; 1.6. What does this checklist (aim to) achieve?; 1.7. Where do I find more about Linux?; 1.8. Conventions used; 2. Linux pre-installation checklist: ; 2.1. Before you fill out the checklist; 2.2. About you; 2.3. General; 2.4. Mouse; 2.5. CD-ROM; 2.6. Floppy drives; 2.7. Tape drives; 2.8. Disk drives; 2.9. Video Display Units (Monitor and controller); 2.10. Networking; 2.11. Printers; 2.12. Laptops; 2.13. Miscellaneous; 2.14. Feedback; 3. What next...?
-!!!1. Introduction
-
- Are you a Linux newbie ? Are you a Linux guru ? In both cases, you will find
-this checklist of great help to you. How many times have you found yourself
-fumbling in the middle of a Linux installation process, because some vital
-information about the target hardware is not known ?
-
-
-
-
- Have you ever crossed your fingers when you were asked by the installation
-procedure, a simple question, like: to which COM port is the mouse
-connected ?
-
-
-
-
- Let's face it, all of us have, at one time or another, felt we should have
-been better prepared before starting to install Linux. Here is a simple
-solution, brought to you by Algologic Research 8 Solutions
-
-
-----
-!!1.1. Copyright Information
-
- This document is copyrighted (c) 2000
-Algologic Research 8 Solutions
-and is distributed under the terms of the Linux Documentation Project
-(LDP) license, stated below.
-
-
-
-
- Unless otherwise stated, Linux HOWTO documents are
-copyrighted by their respective authors. Linux HOWTO documents may
-be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part, in any medium
-physical or electronic, as long as this copyright notice is
-retained on all copies. Commercial redistribution is allowed and
-encouraged; however, the author would like to be notified of any
-such distributions.
-
-
-
-
- All translations, derivative works, or aggregate works
-incorporating any Linux HOWTO documents must be covered under this
-copyright notice. That is, you may not produce a derivative work
-from a HOWTO and impose additional restrictions on its
-distribution. Exceptions to these rules may be granted under
-certain conditions; please contact the Linux HOWTO coordinator at
-the address given below.
-
-
-
-
- In short, we wish to promote dissemination of this
-information through as many channels as possible. However, we do
-wish to retain copyright on the HOWTO documents, and would like to
-be notified of any plans to redistribute the HOWTOs.
-
-
-
-
- If you have any questions, please contact
-`linux-howto@metalab.unc.edub
-
-
-----
-!!1.2. Disclaimer
-
- No liability for the contents of this documents can be accepted.
-Use the concepts, examples and other content at your own risk.
-As this is a new edition of this document, there may be errors
-and inaccuracies, that may of course be damaging to your system.
-Proceed with caution, and although this is highly unlikely,
-the author(s) do not take any responsibility for that.
-
-
-
-
- All copyrights are held by their respective owners, unless
-specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document
-should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark
-or service mark.
-
-
-
-
- Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen
-as endorsements.
-
-
-
-
- You are strongly recommended to make a backup of your system
-before major installation and continue to do so at regular intervals.
-
-
-----
-!!1.3. Translations
-
- This checklist is available in:
-
-
-
-
-
-*
-
- Japanese as a text-only
-or html version.
-
-
-
-*
-*
-
- Dutch as html.
-
-
-
-*
-*
-
- French as html.
-
-
-
-*
-
-
-----
-!!1.4. Acknowledgements
-
- Algologic acknowledges with gratitude the useful suggestions
-and inputs from many members of the Linux community, for
-preparation of this checklist. This checklist is proof of the
-cooperation and goodwill which exists between Linux users.
-Algologic submits this checklist to the Linux community, as a
-humble tribute to the spirit of Linux. Many thanks to the following people:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-*
-
- Mrs. Chie Nakatani for the translation into Japanese. You can also
-visit her home page by clicking here.
-`jeanne (at) mbox.kyoto-inet.or.jpb
-
-
-
-*
-*
-
- Pierre-Charles David for the translation into French.
-`david (at) essi.frb
-
-
-
-*
-*
-
- Linux werkgroep HCC afdeling Groningen
-for the translation into Dutch.
-
-
-
-*
-*
-
- Jesse Goerz for converting the document to docbook sgml.
-`jgoerz (at) linuxfreemail.comb
-
-
-
-*----
-!!1.5. Who should read/use this?
-
- If you are planning to install Linux on somebody else's machine, or
-in a location which is not your own work place, you must absolutely get
-this checklist completed in advance. It is important to get this
-questionnaire answered by your host, so that you go adequately prepared
-for the installation.
-
-
-
-
- If you are planning to organize an "Install fest" (we Indians
-call it "Linux mela"), ask your participants to come with this
-checklist answered.
-
-
-
-
- Conversely, if you are going to an Install fest (aka Linux mela), to get
-Linux installed on your machine, do your home-work. Go with answers to
-this checklist.
-
-
-
-
- If you are going to ask someone to come over and install Linux for
-you, send him/her this questionnaire with as many responses as you know.
-
-
-
-
- If you are the D-I-Y type, you must start by answering all these questions,
-so that you can save time for enjoying your Linux!
-
-
-----
-!!1.6. What does this checklist (aim to) achieve?
-
- This is a memory aid which may make installation of Linux a pleasant
-experience for you. It fills an important role in the promotion of Linux.
-
-
-
-
- It will help you to be prepared with all the answers which may be needed
-during the course of installation of Linux on your machine or on anybody
-else's machine. Sometimes, it is very inconvenient and even impossible
-to find out some details in the middle of an installation procedure. This
-becomes all the more difficult when you are installing Linux on somebody
-else's machine, and in somebody else's office.
-
-
-
-
- This checklist, when filled up, will help you go through your Linux
-documentation and verify in advance whether certain hardware is supported
-by the distribution you are planning to install. It will also help you
-to be prepared with the packages you would need to install, and the
-configuration choices which need to be done.
-
-
-
-
- The idea is to reduce the chances of frustrating surprises.
-
-
-
-
- This checklist is only for installing Linux on PCs. You may use this
-checklist as a model for other classes of machines (e.g.SUN, Alpha, ...)
-also.
-
-
-----
-!!1.7. Where do I find more about Linux?
-
- If you want professional (PAID) help with Linux -- ask Algologic.
-Algologic Research 8 Solutions is listed in the official CONSULTANTS-HOWTO of the
-Linux Documentation Project.
-
-
-
-
- This checklist does not give any details about hardware compatible with
-Linux, or other details about actually procuring or installing Linux.
-If you want details, please reference the
-Linux hardware howto,
-the Distribution howto,
-and the Installation howto,
-which are all located online at the Linux Documentation Project.
-
-
-
-
- If you are the impatient type, and want help on installation directly,
-please reference Section 3 and skip the pre-installation checklist.
-
-
-
-
- ''ATTENTION:'' We are actually overwhelmed by the number of general
-inquiries about procuring, installing and using Linux. We DO NOT answer such general mail. We strongly
-advise you to check out the Linux Documentation Project
-for finding other sources of help. Please DO NOT send us any general Linux questions.
-
-
-----
-!!1.8. Conventions used
-
-
-
-
-
-
-__WARNING!__
-
- Warnings are admonitions which if disregarded,
-will result in an inoperable ''system
-'', which may or may not be recoverable.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-__Caution!__
-
- Cautions are admonitions which if disregarded,
-will result in an inoperable ''application
-'' or cause the loss of data, configuration
-files, or leave the system in an unbootable state.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-__Note: __ Notes state important facts which may be necessary
-to perform an operation.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-__Tip: __ Tips provide shortcuts or foresight to make performance
-of operations easier.
-
-
-
-
-
-----
-!!!2. Linux pre-installation checklist
-!!2.1. Before you fill out the checklist
-
- Welcome to the world of Linux. Your first step in installing
-Linux on your PC will begin by answering a few simple
-questions about your hardware.
-
-
-
-
- This checklist will make it easy for you and us to go through
-the installation, painlessly and without surprises. Please
-take your own time and fill up the following checklist.
-Wherever possible, and necessary, we have given some
-suggestions and hints, for your convenience.
-
-
-
-
- If you don't know all the details, you should be able to find
-them in your computer's manuals. Or, ask your hardware
-vendor, or your local hardware "guru."
-
-
-
-
- If you still have problems finding answers, don't worry --
-you can just ignore any areas you don't know. Bring in
-your machine and ALL manuals you have. The installation
-may succeed with some trials and a lot of luck.
-
-
-
-
- Remember, Linux, like many other software products, is a
-growing product. Some of your hardware may still not be
-supported in the version of Linux which is being installed.
-
-
-
-
- Each question below can be identified by the section number followed by
-the question number (e.g. Section 2.3.1 is a question on processor speed). If you
-need any assistance/clarifications about the questions asked
-in this form, please specify the section identifier
-and the question number, and send an email to:
-`algolog (at) hd1.vsnl.net.inb It is imperative that
-you also include the version number of the checklist. The version number of
-this checklist can be found on the first page of the document.
-
-
-
-
- Assumptions:
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- You are interested in installing Linux on a PC (386 upwards).
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- You have a CDROM drive on your PC. You have made sure that
-your proposed version of Linux supports this CDROM drive.
-Check latest version of the
-hardware howto at the Linux
-Documentation Project (LDP).
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- You have at least one 3½" floppy diskette drive on
-your system.
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- The 3½" diskette drive is a BOOTABLE drive.
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- You will keep readily available, three, bad-sector-free,
-formatted (3½"), blank diskettes, for use in the
-installation procedure.
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- If you wish to install Linux over a LAN, you have
-confirmed that your network interface card is supported
-by your version of Linux. Check latest version of the
-hardware howto at the LDP.
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.2. About you
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- Your Name ____________________
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Your contact phone numbers:
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Your email address ____________________
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Have you used Linux before ? What distribution?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Have you used any version of Unix before ? Which one ?
-On what hardware platform ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Is this an upgrade to an existing Linux distribution ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What will be the end-use of this Linux installation ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you wish to retain DOS/Win/any other OS along with
-Linux, on your system ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Any other detail you want to add:
-_____________________________________________________
-_____________________________________________________
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.3. General
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- CPU type
[[i386, i486 DX2...
]:
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Bus type [[ISA, EISA, VESA, PCI, MCA ... ]:
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Processor speed (MHz) ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What size is your RAM (minimum 4 MB needed) ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you want X Window System (i.e. Graphic User
-Interface for Linux) to be installed on your system ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- How many serial ports (COM ports) do you have on your PC ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Are you planning to add dumb terminals to your PC ?
-How many ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Please mention below, any additional details you wish to add:
-__________________________________________________
-__________________________________________________
-__________________________________________________
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.4. Mouse
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- To which port is your mouse connected ? What IRQ ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What type of mouse are you using
-[[Microsoft, Busmouse, PS/2 ..] ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- How many buttons does the mouse have ?
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.5. CD-ROM
-
-
-
-__Tip: __ If you are not sure if your CDROM is bootable or
-not, power on the machine and go to BIOS settings (do not let
-the PC bootup). Look for bootable drive options in the BIOS
-settings.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- What is the make and type of CDROM drive
-[[e.g. IDE ATAPI, Sony, S-B Pro/Panasonic, SCSI, true IDE ..] ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- On which drive interface [[1st IDE, 2nd IDE, 3rd IDE,
-4th IDE, SCSI, proprietary interface] and which drive
-[[drive 1 , drive 2, SCSI-ID 5] is the CDROM connected
-(e.g. drive 2 of 1st IDE, SCSI-ID 5 of built-in SCSI
-interface) ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Is your CDROM a bootable drive ?
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.6. Floppy drives
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- Do you have a 3½" floppy drive?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Is the 3½" floppy drive a bootable drive ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you have a 5¼" floppy drive?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Is the 5¼" drive a bootable drive ?
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.7. Tape drives
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- What type of tape drive do you have (can be NONE)
-[[floppy interface type, SCSI, parallel port ..] ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you have a secondary floppy controller for your
-tape drive?
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.8. Disk drives
-
-
-
-__Tip: __ At this point, you must be clear about how your
-Linux will be installed and on which disk etc. You must also
-be clear how your Linux will be booted (there are
-different possibilities).
-Read the Installation howto
-before you answer the following questions.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- What type of drive do you have [[IDE, SCSI, RLL, MFM ....] ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- How many partitions are there on your first disk drive ?
-Name, type, size ? Collect these details also for other
-disk drives you may have on this machine.
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- On which drive are you planning to install Linux (e.g. drive
-2 of first IDE, or SCSI-ID 5 of built-in SCSI interface)
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Can we re-partition your disk ? (All existing data
-will be lost)
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Which partitions can be reformatted to become Linux
-partitions ? Note: All information recorded in this
-partition will be erased.
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- How much of disk space can you give for Linux [[50 MB minimum] ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is your second hard disk (if any)?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is your third hard disk (if any)?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is your fourth hard disk (if any)?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is your fourth hard disk (if any)?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you have any SCSI device ? Which SCSI controller do
-you have (if any)?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you plan to boot from your hard disk or floppy?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- On which hard disk partition do you want LILO boot
-loader to reside?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you wish to retain the original boot sector/master
-boot record that is currently on your hard disk?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- On which disk partitions will your Linux root reside?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you access the IDE drive in LBA mode (check your BIOS
-settings) ?
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.9. Video Display Units (Monitor and controller)
-
-
-
-__Tip: __ If you do not have good documentation on your
-VDU, try to look at the sticker (nameplate) on the back of
-your VDU, you may find the answers to some of the questions
-given below.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- What kind of monitor do you have [[Monochrome, Color]
-[[EGA, VGA, CGA ..] ? What make ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Size of screen [[14", 15", 19"] ? Is it an
-interlaced monitor ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What are the resolutions, and number of colors
-possible on this monitor [[600x480, 800x600, 1024x768]?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is your monitor's vertical refresh rate / vertical
-sync. frequency (could be a range)?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is your monitor's horizontal refresh rate / horizontal
-sync. frequency (could be a range) ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Monitor's bandwidth ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Video RAM size ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- VDU Control card : make and model ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Chip set used in VDU control card ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What RAMDAC do you have ?
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.10. Networking
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- Are you using an internal modem | external modem ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What make ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- On which COM port is the modem connected ? What IRQ ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is the speed of the modem [[bps] ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What serial interface chip does your computer use (e.g.
-8450, 16550C) ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Is it a "Windows only" modem [[WIN-MODEM...] ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Which ethernet card do you have [[10base2 or 10baseT;
-NONE for none] ? What type ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Will this machine be a part of Internet or any
-Intranet ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Will this machine use a dialup connection / PPP connection
-to an Internet/Intranet server ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Will this machine be used as an Internet or Intranet server ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What will be the hostname of your computer (e.g. penguin) ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What will be the domain name, if any, of your computer
-(e.g. family_name.city.country)
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What will be the IP address, if any, of your computer
-(e.g. 123.1.2.3) ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is the IP address of the DNS server (can be none) ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is the IP address of the default router (can be none) ?
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.11. Printers
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- Have you connected any printer on the parallel port of
-your PC ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What is the type, make of the printer ?
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.12. Laptops
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- Number and type of PCMCIA slots on your Laptop ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- PC cards you plan to use ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Built-in devices on your laptop (e.g. trackball,
-pointer, touchpad) ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- COM ports used for the above built-in devices ?
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.13. Miscellaneous
-
-
-
-__Tip: __ Try to make a consolidated hardcopy list of I/O
-addresses, IRQs, DMA-addresses used by the different devices
-in your machine. Take care to find out the configuration
-details of your VDU-driver card, Ethernet card, SCSI card etc.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-#
-
- Does your keyboard use a round connector (DIN-5) or
-PS/2 connector?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you plan to use keyboard mapping to any non-US
-keyboards [[French, Greek, Cyrillic, ..] ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Are you using any Plug 8 play devices ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Are you using any sound card ? What card ? What I/O,
-IRQ, DMA does it use ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- How many ISA spare slots do you have ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- How many EISA spare slots do you have ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- How many VESA spare slots do you have ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- How many PCI spare slots do you have ?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- How many other (describe) spare slots?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- What kind of other removable media do you have (can
-be NONE)?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Do you have any other interesting hardware?
-
-
-
-#
-#
-
- Please add any details you wish to highlight:
-__________________________________________________
-__________________________________________________
-__________________________________________________
-
-
-
-#
-
-
-----
-!!2.14. Feedback
-
- Did you find this form clear ? Any suggestions for
-improvement ?
-__________________________________________________
-__________________________________________________
-__________________________________________________
-
-
-
-
- Thanks for filling out the form.
-Please cross check the above responses, and keep the checklist
-handy at the time of installation.
-
-
-----
-!!!3. What next...?
-
-
-
-
-Even the longest journey has to start with a small first-step.
-
- --Confucious
-
-
-
-
- Now that you have taken the first step of filling up the checklist, you would
-like to prepare for the real installation. Here are a few tips, for starters:
-
-
-
-
-
-*
-
- A very good installation guide is here.
-You must visit this excellent site. It also gives tips to find answers for some of the questions asked in
-the pre-installation checklist (e.g. video cards, monitor, chipset, modem, ...etc.).
-
-
-
-*
-*
-
- The official Installation HOWTO is
here.
-
-
-
-*
+Describe
[HowToPreInstallationChecklist
] here.
