Help information

System requirements:

• Processor/Motherboard: 386 and up/ISA, EISA, VLB, PCI
• Min RAM/HD[Mb]: plain linux 4/40, with X 8/100
• Video/Monitor: Any one which works under DOS
• Coexist with Any other OS

Linux Distributions :

• The latest info in the Distributions HOWTO
• Linux on CDs in Israel: Israeli LUG www.linux.org.il/linux_sell.html , Jonathan(benavrhm@tcltek.co.il) at TclTek www.tcltek.co.il, Maagarei Tochna www.softsrcs.co.il
• Linux on CDs from Abroad: www.infomagic.com, www.redhat.com, www.ssc.com, www.cheapbytes.com, www.cdrom.com , www.pht.com, www.infomagic.com,
• Buy the book with Linux CD:
• Use FTP to download: ftp.linux.org.il, ftp2.linux.org.il, ftp.huji.ac.il, ftp.technion.ac.il, master.dsi.co.il, tsx-11.mit.edu, DCSN Linux NFS Installation, ftp.redhat.com, ftp.pht.com, ftp.infomagic.com,

Linux installation:

• Get one of the Linux Distributions: Slackware, RedHat, Debian or other from the above sources.
• Prepare the Space for Linux on your HD:
• Repartitioning:
• Make a full backup of your system (or just the things you know can't be restored)
• Run Scandisk or other tool (Defrag) to move all your data to the beginning of the HD
• If you have Win95 installed you need:
1. Cancel the win95 disk compression and swap file (this is done in the "386 Enhance Setup")
2. (Win95/[NT 4?]) - Remove the trash can folder
3. IMPORTANT: Cancel any boot-sector virus-detection programs.
4. Disable BIOS Plug & Play and set a fixed setup for P&P cards
5. Registry (Win95/NT?) - the Registry can't be moved by Defrag, so after defragging the following steps should be done:
• 1.Exit to DOS (i.e. "reboot" to DOS if you are under Win95)
• 2.Move (don't delete!) the following files under c:\windows to some other file names: 1.user.dat 2.user.da0 3.system.dat 4.system.da0
• 3.Copy the moved files back to the original name
• 4.Delete the original files (In short "circulate" the files so the new copies will "naturally" find their place right after the defragged data)
• Get FIPS utility (generally comes with Linux CD) and follow the instructions to split your HD into 2 partitions without destroying the original Data (Do not take it as deterministic, backup your data anyway)
• Create a Linux Partitions:
• Create a DOS boot disket: c:\>format /s a:
• Copy fdisk.exe and format.com to this floppy
• Boot from that floppy and run fdisk.exe to create/delete a new partitions (note: this action can be Destructive to the data on your HD, read how to use fdisk before use it!)
• Now you can create the Linux partition: You should make one small swap partition ~16Mb, and the second a bigger one for the Linux itself. You better use linux fdisk to do that when you boot from the linux floppy. (note: It depends on the distribution, some lets you create the partitions during the install process, others ask you to do that before the installation)
• Install Linux:
• Make Boot Diskettes:
• You should create 2 to 3 diskettes to boot and install the Linux (once again it depends on dist)
• Use RAWRITE.EXE to write the Linux Image to the floppy, you may need to Ungzip the image first. Use GZIP.EXE. Both utilities you can find in the install directory.
• Proceed the directives from your installation guide to choose the right set of images to install (you have a few sets of images depending on your Hardware)
• Installation process:
• Boot the linux floppy, swap the 2 [3] floppies as you are being asked for. You are in
• You will get the menu or you have to start one (just type "setup" or "install")
• The installation program will guide you how to install , mostly you will have to press the Enter key. You will need to know a few things about your hardware to help the install prog. Nowadays these programs becomes more and more "user friendly" (like PnP).
• Most of the distributions ask you if you want to create the rescue boot disk. Do your a favor, and listen to advise you will need it later.
• When you sure that the install process is over, just RNP (Reboot aNd Prey :-)
• Procceeding with Linux:
• Israeli LUG is a Good starting point
• My Linux Page can be help full as well
• Generally, search the Internet for "linux" keyword and you will get a lots of places for digging the info, you are looking for...
• Subscribe for the linux Mailing lists or Read the Usenet newsgroups. Both of them can be very helpfull when you RTFMed (Read The F???? [fine] Manual) and didn't find the solution for your problem. But only after you realy RTFMed, since you will be flamed if you didn't !!!