Hi,

I'm new to Linux, and have a very basic question about installing Fedora Core 4 on a computer. First, a little context.

I have an old IBM Netvista with a 930mhz P3 processor, and 512meg memory. I wanted to use it as a server in an experimental system at home, and decided on Linux (Fedora, or Slackware).

The PC was reformatted and 'cleaned-up' prior to me getting it, and appears to only have an ms-dos 'boot program' on the hard drive. It does not have a complete ms-dos OS.

I have downloaded the 4 CDs of Fedora Core 4 and the one for Slackware. I can go with either one at this point, but was leaning towards Fedora, as I am assuming that it is a more complete system, and I haven't read, or heard anything convincing one way or the other; given that I am looking at a server application.

My VERY basic question ... is there any way of installing Linux without having a full windows OS already up and running on my machine? And how can this be done

Hi.

Simplified howto:

1) Put Fedora CD1 into CD drive.
2) Turn on PC.
3) Keep clicking OK
4) You're done.

No Windows required. In fact having Windows on the machine complicates matters slightly when installing Linux.

Dave

That assumes the PC can boot from the CD, but it's a very good, and complete, howto.

You may need to go into the bios and change the boot settings to "boot from cdrom" if the above does not work.

Thanks folks. I was kinda hoping that it would boot from the drive ... but no such luck, and I have been trying to figure out what voodoo was required to make that happen.

How do I get into the BIOS, and what exactly would I have to edit? I have tried editing a file, and this doesn't work since 'edit' and 'edlin' commands are not available (it does not have a complete MS-DOS). You will have to excuse me, but it has been a looonnnggg time since I did anything at the BIOS level. And even then it wasn't much.

When you first start your computer, before you get to any promp, you should see some text flash up on the screen. It should say [at the bottom] something like: Press Del to enter Setup. So while this is up on the screen hit delete a few times, you should enter the bios.

NB. It may not be the Delete key... could be F? on your computer.

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

One thing that seems to be missing: BIOS (Setup, in fact) uses menus. No need to edit anything using an editor. If you don't know how to enter it, look at the screen just after power-on/reset or (if you can't find it) look into motherboard manual. It should be mentioned with all options described.

and one inside BIOS you need to use arrow keys to select 'BOOT SEQUENCE' or something like that and change it so that your cdrom drive boots first. Then press esc twice and then select save changes a by pressing enter. This should restart the computer and it will boot from the disc which should be in the cdrom drive. then follow the on screen directions