So I don'know the first thing about installing Linux. Please can someone give me a run down on it so I can learn to do it myself. Start from step one to the end. I really appreciate the help.

Thanks,

DMark

The general procedure is to choose a distribution, download the CD/DVD images and burn them (or otherwise obtain CD/DVD), boot from the first CD or DVD and follow the instructions. Obviously, backing up important data beforehand is wise, just in case something goes wrong.

Also, why did you choose to post in the member intro forum? There are better places for your thread.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in <Newbie>, and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Hi DMark,

You need to have following:

1. Linux CD/DVD for desired OS of your choice.
2. Insert this CD/DVD into the device.
3. Follow the steps on the screen.
4. Create root and swap partition on the selected drive.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Note: You can get lots of installation guide for desired OS.Download and make a print outs of the same and start installing.....

Which OS are you trying to install? Even i am new to Linux but i followed above steps to successfully install the OS, But i am dual booting (XP and FC7).

Thanks and Regards,
Mahesh M

These helpful people forgot to tell you you have to boot from the cd/dvd. So press the key to get to the boot mode and choose the cd mode. It may vary from computer to computer, I have a laptop on which you must press F12.

Welcome to linux! For a newbie, the best course of action is to pick a distro and follow the official guide that comes with it. As an example, Slackware has the "Slackware Linux Essentials" book as its official guide. Other distros have their own official guides so it's really up to you to choose. Never mind that you don't like your first picked distro. The important thing is that you are introduced to a typical Linux installation.

This may help

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

Pick your distro and then google for info on that distro.

I am having a problem installing Linux Puppy to an old laptop which has an AMD 400 processor, 756mg of memory and a 4gig HD. I do not want to install Windows at all. I want the whole drive Linux. The machine is set to boot off of the CD Drive.

I used a windows 98 boot disk and totally cleaned everything off of the hard drive, all partitions including the Dos partition. I reformatted it and then tried to install Puppy.

All I can get is the message saying that "no operating system can be found". I have tried the ISO that I burnt three of, and they are fine. I have also tried Mandriva, Mepis, and Gutsy Gibbons.

Is there a booting file that I could have removed??

Thank You,
Irv

You should see something like:

Press F2 to enter setup


or del or esc or some other key. Do that to enter BIOS setup. Find the boot priority and tell it to boot off of your CD/DVD-rom drive first. Only then can you boot off the cd.

Also make sure the cd is good by putting it in another computer. You should see a ton of files and directories and NOT the .iso file.

I'm new to linux as well...I was refered to Wubi. You should check it out. After, check out Envy.
Awesome for updating your video card driver. There's also a nice guide to installing Compiz(beryl) on that site as well! Good luck!

Aloha,
I like How to Forge a lot because they do a lot of step by step things. For instance..
http://www.howtoforge.com/installati...edora8-desktop
is a step by step guide on installing Fedora 8. It does not include partitioning but once partitioned this guide is great for getting everything setup. As far as partitioning goes, I use a LiveCD of Ubuntu with Gparted and resize windows to make room for the new OS. Remember, in windows, to virus scan, defrag and shut off the swap file before resizing the partition. A back-up would also be a good idea. Lost data is never fun.
Mahalo,
Edward

Are you still with us?? The "getting started" link below might help.....but the best short advice is to download a CD image, burn a CD, and then install. When you get stuck, then yell.....

Yes I am still with you all, but a slight problem occured. I finally figured out that the CD player in the laptop is bad. I tore it apart yesterday and removed it and now have to find a replacement for it.
Thank you all for the input.

After you download the iso image and burn it to a cd, do the following:
1-make sure you set your bios to boot from the cd as first option.
2- boot into the live cd and try it out for a while. The system will be slow but at least you can ensure compatibility with your hardware. After you make sure everything works, install. Good luck. There will be a learning curve but it is well worth it.