Bootdisks for Mandrake 8.1

[BFD Deadeye]

I am new to the whole Linux thing. I just got the iso images burned succesfully yesterday. I was wondering if there is a utility on those newly burned cd's that would allow me to create boot floppies, or a site where I could download the files. I use System Commander, so in order to set it up properly in a multi boot config, I need floppies. Thanks guys!

[mairving]

You don't usually need bootdisks with System Commander. What I would always do is disable System Commander, boot off of the CD, install Linux, then renable System Commander. It will find your new install and add it to the boot menu.

[BFD Deadeye]

Ok, I'll try that way. But don't I need a partition created first? Or can I create a partition in the Linux setup with my unpartitioned space? If so, do I need just 1 partition, or do I need 1 for the OS, 1 for the boot, and 1 for the swap? Like I said, I'm a noobie at Linux. Also, what is the best file system to use with Linux? Thanks a bunch.

[mairving]

Mandrake plays well with other OS's. It will create the space for you.

[OOPS!]

Hi,

You should be able to setup your partions during the install. The generally recommended partioning scheme would be / (root), /swap, /var (logs and such generally end up here), /usr (where programs go) /home (where you store your personal files and preferences). My personal preferences for Mandy are / (150meg), /swap (equal to the amount of ram you have, if you have lots, then you can shave a little off), /var (about 100-200megs depending on how much logging you do), /usr (I like 1.5-2.5gigs, I seem to like to play with lots of programs, but really depends on how much software you want), /home (I like to figure about 500megs, more if you want to burn CD's or store mpg's less if you only will have text files). It's all very flexible. And I'd bet no 2 partition schemes are the same. My Mandy partition runs to about 5.5gigs. My Debian partition fits on less 800meg. Go figure.

Hope this gets you going! Oh, and let me Welcome you to the wonderful world of freedom!

OOPS!

[mairving]

Originally posted by OOPS! And I'd bet no 2 partition schemes are the same. OOPS!

Yeah, you are right on that one. I have a tendency to make my /home partition the largest. I generally have quite a few graphics files and websites in there. I think mine on an 8G is / 50M, /var 200, /usr 1.5 swap 250M, and the rest home.

[BFD Deadeye]

Oww. My head hurts! Linux Mandrake 8.1 is HARD!

It's like you have to be a programmer to understand it. I'm all for "learning something new", but I can't make heads or tails out of this OS! How do I get to the equivelant of Windows' Explorer? I can't even shut it down properly. Or do ya just shut it off with the power button? I hate being a n00bie.

[Statica]

You do plan to use a GUI with your installation right?

If you do then its just like windows. If not, all you need to do is type "halt"

[BFD Deadeye]

I would love to use a GUI, if I knew what that was. It's installed already, can I use the GUI now, or do I have to reinstall it?

[OOPS!]

Hi,

Mandy should default to GUI log-in (Graphical User Interface). If you are looking at the CLI (Command Line Interface), you need to log in first. Type your user name, hit enter, then type your password, and hit enter. You should now be looking at a line that looks something like [username@localhost]. At this point you can type: startx and hit the enter key. This should take you to the default desktop (in Mandy that would most likely be KDE). Now you can point and click your way around to your hearts content.

I would recomend getting a good book on linux. At least install the all the documentation the comes with the distro and really read it. Linux isn't all that hard.... Just different, and you need to relearn some things.


OOPS!