mirror of https://github.com/tLDP/LDP
1311 lines
41 KiB
Plaintext
1311 lines
41 KiB
Plaintext
<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook V3.1//EN">
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<article id="index">
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<artheader>
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<title>GNU/Linux pre-installation checklist</title>
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<author>
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<firstname></firstname>
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<surname></surname>
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<affiliation>
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<orgname>
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<ulink url="http://members.tripod.com/~algolog/index.htm">Algologic Research & Solutions</ulink>
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</orgname>
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<address>
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<email>algolog (at) hd1.vsnl.net.in</email>
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</address>
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</affiliation>
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</author>
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<revhistory>
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<revision>
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<revnumber>2.6.0</revnumber>
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<date>28 November 2000</date>
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<authorinitials></authorinitials>
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<revremark>
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Initial release using docbook sgml.
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</revremark>
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</revision>
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</revhistory>
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<abstract>
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<para>
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This document provides a checklist for installing GNU/Linux (hereafter referred
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to as Linux) as well as hints and tips along the way.
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Translations in Japanese, Dutch, and French are available in <xref linkend="translations">.
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The most current version of this checklist will be posted online at:
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<ulink url="http://members.tripod.com/~algolog/lnxchk.htm">
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http://members.tripod.com/~algolog/lnxchk.htm</ulink>. Sgml source for this document
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is located <ulink url="">here</ulink>. <!-- <NEED> to fix this link -->
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</para>
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</abstract>
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</artheader>
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<!-- SECTION 1.0 INTRO -->
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<sect1 id="introduction"><title>Introduction</title>
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<toc></toc>
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<para>
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Are you a Linux newbie ? Are you a Linux guru ? In both cases, you will find
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this checklist of great help to you. How many times have you found yourself
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fumbling in the middle of a Linux installation process, because some vital
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information about the target hardware is not known ?
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</para>
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<para>
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Have you ever crossed your fingers when you were asked by the installation
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procedure, a simple question, like: to which COM port is the mouse
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connected ?
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</para>
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<para>
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Let's face it, all of us have, at one time or another, felt we should have
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been better prepared before starting to install Linux. Here is a simple
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solution, brought to you by Algologic Research & Solutions
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</para>
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<!-- SECTION 1.1 COPYRIGHT -->
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<sect2 id="copyright"><title>Copyright Information</title>
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<para>
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This document is copyrighted (c) 2000
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<ulink url="http://members.tripod.com/~algolog/index.htm">Algologic Research & Solutions</ulink>
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and is distributed under the terms of the Linux Documentation Project
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(LDP) license, stated below.
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</para>
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<para>
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Unless otherwise stated, Linux HOWTO documents are
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copyrighted by their respective authors. Linux HOWTO documents may
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be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part, in any medium
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physical or electronic, as long as this copyright notice is
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retained on all copies. Commercial redistribution is allowed and
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encouraged; however, the author would like to be notified of any
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such distributions.
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</para>
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<para>
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All translations, derivative works, or aggregate works
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incorporating any Linux HOWTO documents must be covered under this
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copyright notice. That is, you may not produce a derivative work
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from a HOWTO and impose additional restrictions on its
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distribution. Exceptions to these rules may be granted under
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certain conditions; please contact the Linux HOWTO coordinator at
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the address given below.
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</para>
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<para>
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In short, we wish to promote dissemination of this
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information through as many channels as possible. However, we do
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wish to retain copyright on the HOWTO documents, and would like to
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be notified of any plans to redistribute the HOWTOs.
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</para>
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<para>
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If you have any questions, please contact
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<email>linux-howto@metalab.unc.edu</email>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<!-- SECTION 1.2 DISCLAIMER -->
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<sect2 id="disclaimer"><title>Disclaimer</title>
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<para>
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No liability for the contents of this documents can be accepted.
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Use the concepts, examples and other content at your own risk.
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As this is a new edition of this document, there may be errors
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and inaccuracies, that may of course be damaging to your system.
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Proceed with caution, and although this is highly unlikely,
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the author(s) do not take any responsibility for that.
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</para>
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<para>
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All copyrights are held by their respective owners, unless
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specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document
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should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark
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or service mark.
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</para>
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<para>
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Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen
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as endorsements.
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</para>
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<para>
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You are strongly recommended to make a backup of your system
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before major installation and continue to do so at regular intervals.
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<!-- SECTION 1.3 TRANSLATIONS -->
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<sect2 id="translations"><title>Translations</title>
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<para>
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This checklist is available in:
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Japanese as a <ulink url="http://www.linux.or.jp/JF/JFdocs/Pre-Installation-Checklist.txt">text-only</ulink>
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or <ulink url="http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/jeanne/linux/chk.html">html</ulink> version.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Dutch as <ulink url="http://www.nl.linux.org/~hccnoord/checklist.html">html</ulink>.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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French as <ulink url="http://www.freenix.org/unix/linux/HOWTO/mini/Pre-Installation-Checklist.html">html</ulink>.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<!-- SECTION 1.4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -->
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<sect2 id="acknowledgements"><title>Acknowledgements</title>
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<para>
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Algologic acknowledges with gratitude the useful suggestions
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and inputs from many members of the Linux community, for
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preparation of this checklist. This checklist is proof of the
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cooperation and goodwill which exists between Linux users.
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Algologic submits this checklist to the Linux community, as a
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humble tribute to the spirit of Linux. Many thanks to the following people:
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</para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Mrs. Chie Nakatani for the translation into Japanese. You can also
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visit her home page by clicking <ulink url="http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/jeanne/">here</ulink>.
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<email>jeanne (at) mbox.kyoto-inet.or.jp</email>
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Pierre-Charles David for the translation into French.
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<email>david (at) essi.fr</email>
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://nl.linux.org/~hccnoord/index.html">Linux werkgroep HCC afdeling Groningen</ulink>
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for the translation into Dutch.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Jesse Goerz for converting the document to docbook sgml.
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<email>jgoerz (at) linuxfreemail.com</email>
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect2>
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<!-- SECTION 1.5 AUDIENCE -->
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<sect2 id="audience"><title>Who should read/use this?</title>
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<para>
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If you are planning to install Linux on somebody else's machine, or
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in a location which is not your own work place, you must absolutely get
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this checklist completed in advance. It is important to get this
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questionnaire answered by your host, so that you go adequately prepared
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for the installation.
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</para>
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<para>
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If you are planning to organize an "Install fest" (we Indians
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call it "Linux mela"), ask your participants to come with this
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checklist answered.
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</para>
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<para>
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Conversely, if you are going to an Install fest (aka Linux mela), to get
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Linux installed on your machine, do your home-work. Go with answers to
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this checklist.
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</para>
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<para>
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If you are going to ask someone to come over and install Linux for
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you, send him/her this questionnaire with as many responses as you know.
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</para>
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<para>
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If you are the D-I-Y type, you must start by answering all these questions,
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so that you can save time for enjoying your Linux!
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<!-- SECTION 1.6 GOALS -->
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<sect2 id="goals"><title>What does this checklist (aim to) achieve?</title>
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<para>
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This is a memory aid which may make installation of Linux a pleasant
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experience for you. It fills an important role in the promotion of Linux.
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</para>
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<para>
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It will help you to be prepared with all the answers which may be needed
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during the course of installation of Linux on your machine or on anybody
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else's machine. Sometimes, it is very inconvenient and even impossible
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to find out some details in the middle of an installation procedure. This
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becomes all the more difficult when you are installing Linux on somebody
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else's machine, and in somebody else's office.
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</para>
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<para>
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This checklist, when filled up, will help you go through your Linux
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documentation and verify in advance whether certain hardware is supported
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by the distribution you are planning to install. It will also help you
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to be prepared with the packages you would need to install, and the
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configuration choices which need to be done.
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</para>
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<para>
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The idea is to reduce the chances of frustrating surprises.
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</para>
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<para>
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This checklist is only for installing Linux on PCs. You may use this
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checklist as a model for other classes of machines (e.g.SUN, Alpha, ...)
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also.
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<!-- SECTION 1.7 MORE INFORMATION -->
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<sect2 id="moreinfo"><title>Where do I find more about Linux?</title>
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<para>
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If you want professional (PAID) help with Linux -- <ulink url="http://members.tripod.com/~algolog/tools.htm#linux">ask Algologic</ulink>.
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Algologic Research & Solutions is listed in the official CONSULTANTS-HOWTO of the
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<ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org">Linux Documentation Project</ulink>.
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</para>
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<para>
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This checklist does not give any details about hardware compatible with
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Linux, or other details about actually procuring or installing Linux.
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If you want details, please reference the
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<ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html">Linux hardware howto</ulink>,
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the <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Distribution-HOWTO.html">Distribution howto</ulink>,
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and the <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Installation-HOWTO/index.html">Installation howto</ulink>,
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which are all located online at the Linux Documentation Project.
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</para>
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<para>
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If you are the impatient type, and want help on installation directly,
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please reference <xref linkend="install"> and skip the pre-installation checklist.
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</para>
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<para>
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<emphasis>ATTENTION:</emphasis> We are actually overwhelmed by the number of general
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inquiries about procuring, installing and using Linux. We DO NOT answer such general mail. We strongly
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advise you to check out the <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org">Linux Documentation Project</ulink>
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for finding other sources of help. Please DO NOT send us any general Linux questions.
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<!-- SECTION 1.8 CONVENTIONS -->
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<sect2 id="conventions"><title>Conventions used</title>
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<para>
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<warning><title>WARNING!</title>
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<para>
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Warnings are admonitions which if disregarded,
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will result in an inoperable <emphasis>system
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</emphasis>, which may or may not be recoverable.
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</para>
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</warning>
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</para>
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<para>
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<caution><title>Caution!</title>
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<para>
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Cautions are admonitions which if disregarded,
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will result in an inoperable <emphasis>application
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</emphasis> or cause the loss of data, configuration
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files, or leave the system in an unbootable state.
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</para>
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</caution>
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</para>
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<para>
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<note><title>Note</title>
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<para>
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Notes state important facts which may be necessary
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to perform an operation.
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</para>
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</note>
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</para>
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<para>
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<tip><title>Tip</title>
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<para>
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Tips provide shortcuts or foresight to make performance
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of operations easier.
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</para>
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</tip>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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</sect1>
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<!-- END SECTION 1 -->
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<!-- SECTION 2. -->
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<sect1 id="Checklist"><title>Linux pre-installation checklist</title>
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<sect2 id="pre-prechecklist"><title>Before you fill out the checklist</title>
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<para>
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Welcome to the world of Linux. Your first step in installing
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Linux on your PC will begin by answering a few simple
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questions about your hardware.
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</para>
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<para>
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This checklist will make it easy for you and us to go through
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the installation, painlessly and without surprises. Please
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take your own time and fill up the following checklist.
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Wherever possible, and necessary, we have given some
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suggestions and hints, for your convenience.
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</para>
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<para>
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If you don't know all the details, you should be able to find
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them in your computer's manuals. Or, ask your hardware
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vendor, or your local hardware "guru."
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</para>
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<para>
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If you still have problems finding answers, don't worry --
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you can just ignore any areas you don't know. Bring in
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your machine and ALL manuals you have. The installation
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may succeed with some trials and a lot of luck.
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</para>
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<para>
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Remember, Linux, like many other software products, is a
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growing product. Some of your hardware may still not be
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supported in the version of Linux which is being installed.
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</para>
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<para><!-- <NEED> to fix the way this is referenced -->
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Each question below can be identified by the section number followed by
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the question number (e.g. <xref linkend="general">.1 is a question on processor speed). If you
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need any assistance/clarifications about the questions asked
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in this form, please specify the section identifier
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and the question number, and send an email to:
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<email>algolog (at) hd1.vsnl.net.in</email> It is imperative that
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you also include the version number of the checklist. The version number of
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this checklist can be found on the first page of the document.
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</para>
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<para>
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Assumptions:
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<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
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<listitem>
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<para>
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You are interested in installing Linux on a PC (386 upwards).
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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You have a CDROM drive on your PC. You have made sure that
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your proposed version of Linux supports this CDROM drive.
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Check latest version of the
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<ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html">hardware howto</ulink> at the Linux
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Documentation Project (LDP).
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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You have at least one 3½" floppy diskette drive on
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your system.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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The 3½" diskette drive is a BOOTABLE drive.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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You will keep readily available, three, bad-sector-free,
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formatted (3½"), blank diskettes, for use in the
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installation procedure.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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If you wish to install Linux over a LAN, you have
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confirmed that your network interface card is supported
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by your version of Linux. Check latest version of the
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<ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html">hardware howto</ulink> at the LDP.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</orderedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2 id="aboutyou"><title>About you</title>
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<para>
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<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Your Name ____________________
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Your contact phone numbers:
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Your email address ____________________
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Have you used Linux before ? What distribution?
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Have you used any version of Unix before ? Which one ?
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On what hardware platform ?
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Is this an upgrade to an existing Linux distribution ?
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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What will be the end-use of this Linux installation ?
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Do you wish to retain DOS/Win/any other OS along with
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Linux, on your system ?
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Any other detail you want to add:
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_____________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</orderedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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|
|
<sect2 id="general"><title>General</title>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
CPU type [i386, i486 DX2...]:
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Bus type [ISA, EISA, VESA, PCI, MCA ... ]:
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Processor speed (MHz) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What size is your RAM (minimum 4 MB needed) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you want X Window System (i.e. Graphic User
|
|
Interface for Linux) to be installed on your system ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
How many serial ports (COM ports) do you have on your PC ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Are you planning to add dumb terminals to your PC ?
|
|
How many ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Please mention below, any additional details you wish to add:
|
|
__________________________________________________
|
|
__________________________________________________
|
|
__________________________________________________
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="mouse"><title>Mouse</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
To which port is your mouse connected ? What IRQ ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What type of mouse are you using
|
|
[Microsoft, Busmouse, PS/2 ..] ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
How many buttons does the mouse have ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="cdrom"><title>CD-ROM</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
|
|
<tip><title>Tip</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
If you are not sure if your CDROM is bootable or
|
|
not, power on the machine and go to BIOS settings (do not let
|
|
the PC bootup). Look for bootable drive options in the BIOS
|
|
settings.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</tip>
|
|
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is the make and type of CDROM drive
|
|
[e.g. IDE ATAPI, Sony, S-B Pro/Panasonic, SCSI, true IDE ..] ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
On which drive interface [1st IDE, 2nd IDE, 3rd IDE,
|
|
4th IDE, SCSI, proprietary interface] and which drive
|
|
[drive 1 , drive 2, SCSI-ID 5] is the CDROM connected
|
|
(e.g. drive 2 of 1st IDE, SCSI-ID 5 of built-in SCSI
|
|
interface) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Is your CDROM a bootable drive ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="floppy"><title>Floppy drives</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you have a 3½" floppy drive?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Is the 3½" floppy drive a bootable drive ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you have a 5¼" floppy drive?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Is the 5¼" drive a bootable drive ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="tape"><title>Tape drives</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What type of tape drive do you have (can be NONE)
|
|
[floppy interface type, SCSI, parallel port ..] ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you have a secondary floppy controller for your
|
|
tape drive?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="disk"><title>Disk drives</title>
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
|
|
<tip><title>Tip</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
At this point, you must be clear about how your
|
|
Linux will be installed and on which disk etc. You must also
|
|
be clear how your Linux will be booted (there are
|
|
different possibilities).
|
|
Read the <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Installation-HOWTO/index.html">Installation howto</ulink>
|
|
before you answer the following questions.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</tip>
|
|
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What type of drive do you have [IDE, SCSI, RLL, MFM ....] ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
How many partitions are there on your first disk drive ?
|
|
Name, type, size ? Collect these details also for other
|
|
disk drives you may have on this machine.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
On which drive are you planning to install Linux (e.g. drive
|
|
2 of first IDE, or SCSI-ID 5 of built-in SCSI interface)
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Can we re-partition your disk ? (All existing data
|
|
will be lost)
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Which partitions can be reformatted to become Linux
|
|
partitions ? Note: All information recorded in this
|
|
partition will be erased.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
How much of disk space can you give for Linux [50 MB minimum] ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is your second hard disk (if any)?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is your third hard disk (if any)?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is your fourth hard disk (if any)?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is your fourth hard disk (if any)?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you have any SCSI device ? Which SCSI controller do
|
|
you have (if any)?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you plan to boot from your hard disk or floppy?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
On which hard disk partition do you want LILO boot
|
|
loader to reside?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you wish to retain the original boot sector/master
|
|
boot record that is currently on your hard disk?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
On which disk partitions will your Linux root reside?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you access the IDE drive in LBA mode (check your BIOS
|
|
settings) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="video"><title>Video Display Units (Monitor and controller)</title>
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
|
|
<tip><title>Tip</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
If you do not have good documentation on your
|
|
VDU, try to look at the sticker (nameplate) on the back of
|
|
your VDU, you may find the answers to some of the questions
|
|
given below.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</tip>
|
|
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What kind of monitor do you have [Monochrome, Color]
|
|
[EGA, VGA, CGA ..] ? What make ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Size of screen [14", 15", 19"] ? Is it an
|
|
interlaced monitor ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What are the resolutions, and number of colors
|
|
possible on this monitor [600x480, 800x600, 1024x768]?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is your monitor's vertical refresh rate / vertical
|
|
sync. frequency (could be a range)?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is your monitor's horizontal refresh rate / horizontal
|
|
sync. frequency (could be a range) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Monitor's bandwidth ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Video RAM size ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
VDU Control card : make and model ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Chip set used in VDU control card ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What RAMDAC do you have ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="network"><title>Networking</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Are you using an internal modem | external modem ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What make ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
On which COM port is the modem connected ? What IRQ ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is the speed of the modem [bps] ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What serial interface chip does your computer use (e.g.
|
|
8450, 16550C) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Is it a "Windows only" modem [WIN-MODEM...] ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Which ethernet card do you have [10base2 or 10baseT;
|
|
NONE for none] ? What type ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Will this machine be a part of Internet or any
|
|
Intranet ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Will this machine use a dialup connection / PPP connection
|
|
to an Internet/Intranet server ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Will this machine be used as an Internet or Intranet server ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What will be the hostname of your computer (e.g. penguin) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What will be the domain name, if any, of your computer
|
|
(e.g. family_name.city.country)
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What will be the IP address, if any, of your computer
|
|
(e.g. 123.1.2.3) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is the IP address of the DNS server (can be none) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is the IP address of the default router (can be none) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="printer"><title>Printers</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Have you connected any printer on the parallel port of
|
|
your PC ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What is the type, make of the printer ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="laptop"><title>Laptops</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Number and type of PCMCIA slots on your Laptop ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
PC cards you plan to use ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Built-in devices on your laptop (e.g. trackball,
|
|
pointer, touchpad) ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
COM ports used for the above built-in devices ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</orderedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="misc"><title>Miscellaneous</title>
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
|
|
<tip><title>Tip</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Try to make a consolidated hardcopy list of I/O
|
|
addresses, IRQs, DMA-addresses used by the different devices
|
|
in your machine. Take care to find out the configuration
|
|
details of your VDU-driver card, Ethernet card, SCSI card etc.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</tip>
|
|
|
|
<orderedlist numeration="arabic">
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Does your keyboard use a round connector (DIN-5) or
|
|
PS/2 connector?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you plan to use keyboard mapping to any non-US
|
|
keyboards [French, Greek, Cyrillic, ..] ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Are you using any Plug & play devices ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Are you using any sound card ? What card ? What I/O,
|
|
IRQ, DMA does it use ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
How many ISA spare slots do you have ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
How many EISA spare slots do you have ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
How many VESA spare slots do you have ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
How many PCI spare slots do you have ?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
How many other (describe) spare slots?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
What kind of other removable media do you have (can
|
|
be NONE)?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Do you have any other interesting hardware?
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Please add any details you wish to highlight:
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________________
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</orderedlist>
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</para>
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|
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</sect2>
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|
|
|
|
|
<sect2 id="feedback"><title>Feedback</title>
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|
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|
<para>
|
|
Did you find this form clear ? Any suggestions for
|
|
improvement ?
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|
|
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|
__________________________________________________
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|
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|
__________________________________________________
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|
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|
__________________________________________________
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
Thanks for filling out the form.
|
|
Please cross check the above responses, and keep the checklist
|
|
handy at the time of installation.
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect2>
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
<!-- END SECTION 2 -->
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|
<!-- SECTION 3 -->
|
|
<sect1 id="install"><title>What next...?</title>
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
<blockquote><attribution>Confucious</attribution>
|
|
<para>Even the longest journey has to start with a small first-step.</para>
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
Now that you have taken the first step of filling up the checklist, you would
|
|
like to prepare for the real installation. Here are a few tips, for starters:
|
|
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
A very good installation guide is <ulink url="http://www.xmission.com/~howardm/install.html">here.</ulink>
|
|
You must visit this excellent site. It also gives tips to find answers for some of the questions asked in
|
|
the pre-installation checklist (e.g. video cards, monitor, chipset, modem, ...etc.).
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
The official Installation HOWTO is <ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Installation-HOWTO/index.html">here.</ulink>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
<!-- END SECTION 3 -->
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|
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|
</article>
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|
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