RHEL vs Fedora? as RHEL is commercial Linux that costs money, then I believe the more correct chice would be CentOS vs Fedora as CentOS is a free alternative to RHEL.

So I suggest starting from CentOS and if that seems too conservative for your taste, then move on to Fedora.

Hi wigry,

I downloaded the Slackware image (Slackware 14.0 x86 Install ISO disc 3 (KDE)) and burnt it onto a CD but it doesn't seem to be a bootable image. Can you please tell me how to install Slackwate? Which images I need to download?

Thank you,

Slackware comes as 6 CDs, the first is the bootable one, the third comes with the KDE packages. You will have to download CD1 and CD2 and if you want KDE you'll also need CD3. CDs 4-6 are the sources.

I would suggest that you instead download the packages from a mirror with wget and create only a minimal install-CD as described here: ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/linux/slackwar...nux/README.TXT

Markus

Hi markush,

6 CD's? Isn't that a bit archeic?

How come there is no image that contains all the necessary files to install Slack? I understand that it gives the user total control of what to do, but at least the files should be available in one image.

Your post suggest to create such image, which is great. But it assumes I will be working from within a Slack or other linux system. What if I, as a beginner, prefer combining the images into one install DVD from a Windows workstation? Is that possible? How?

P.S. I'm currently using Fedora Live CD...

Thank you,

You could also download the DVD image, it comes with all packages. You could also (which is most easy) download and burn only CD1 and then make a network installation. This means that the packages are downloaded while installation.

BTW: you can do a minimal install with only the packages of CD1. But as far as I remember, the X server is on CD2.

Markus

recommend to download DVD which gives you single disc for everything. If you must use CD-s you need at least CD1 and CD2 and if you want KDE, then as told, CD3. But nowadays it is quite rare to have CD-ROM in the machine without capabilities to read DVD-s

BTW what was your reason to download CD3? All countable things start from 1...

Hi wigry,

My first experience was with Fedora. I saw that it has the default image (gnome) then it has spins for KDE, Games and other. I looked at the Slack download link and I saw different images and one of them is KDE. Since I wanted to try KDE, I was under the impression that this CD image is the only image required to install Slack with KDE.

I'll download the DVD from home and see how it installs tomorrow.

By the way, is there a way to get to you faster that throughthe forum? I'm thinking that I will get stuck a lot in my attempt to go with Slack and since it was your suggestion... Just kidding! But it would be nice to be able to reach you faster.

Thank you,

i agree, especially since the last 2 pc's i've owned dont come with a cd-rom drive. most newer distros provide a persistent live-usb bootable image.

That's no problem, when you run into problems with Slackware, post here http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/slackware-14/
The LQ Slackware forum is the official Slackware forum. You will quickly find help there. I would also recommend, that you post every Slackware related question there!

You may take a look at http://docs.slackware.com/start our Slackdocs page.

There is everything explained.

Markus

One can boot the Slackware installer from
1. CD
2. DVD
3. USB-memorystick
4. PXE

The installation can be done with packages on
1. The CDs
2. The DVD
3. On the USB-device
4. On a premounted partition of your computer
5. from an FTP server in your own network or in the internet.

aren't this enough choices?

Markus

ok, i was wondering why the op was talking about burning disks; the live-usb option would be better.

hi Arie01,

I am just one of very many happy Slackware users and there is no need to ask the questions from me specifically. The Slackware subsection of LQ pointed out by markush is the best place to get immediate help by fellow Slackers.

Also before diving into Slackware installation it is good idea to make some homework by skimming through the http://slackbook.org/html/index.html

It really helps and gets you up and running the fastest way. Please pay attention to what is told there. Otherwise it would be very very frustrating to be stuck in the middle of installation and waiting for 15 minutes to get answer to some simple question. All what you need to know should be answered in the book. Read the installation section through before actually starting the installation and see if you understand it? If it is quite confusing then come to the Slackware section of LQ and post your questions.

Good luck and I'll be watching :)

My suggestion would be perhaps do a installation in a VirtualBox first. And set it up to your likes. Once you sussefully do that then move on to install it on your computer.

The Slackware install DVD is not a liveCD like the one for Fedora or linux Mint. it will drop you to a command line and you go from there. There is not graphical interface, after booting you login by typing root, then you create your partitions by typing cfdisk. once you have your partition you can start the installation by typing setup

It is very exciting and rewarding if everything works from the first try (rarely happens so be prepared) Otherwise it can make you want to kick your computer with a hammer(be prepared for that too)


Good luck to you

I'm using Slackware since about 19 years, but I've never kept a hammer at hand while installation :D

Markus

Once I started to experiment with custom kernels I wanted to throw the computer out of the window on the third Kernel Panic :D But after countless re-installs (how else an inexperienced newbie kernel hacker would recover from the panic) I realized that really I need to have at least my disk controller and file system drivers in the kernel to have any success of seeing the Init process to start.