In this post I would be highlighting the steps that is involved in setting up a Linux system with the aim of giving an overview to those new to Linux in making the switch. I have restrain myself from going into the technical details that is involved in setting it up, I would rather do that in subsequent posts.
Any Linux distro followings the three important processes of downloading, burning and booting. They are very easy processes if instructions are carefully followed, as any configuration mistake made can freeze or break your installation. And this can become a frustrating experience.
Downloading
Linux has a low system requirements, meaning that most computers available today can be used to install a basic Linux OS. If you have decided on the distro you would like to try, head up to vendor’s site and download a copy (usually in the form of .iso disc images). in this stage you must ensure that you have a fast and reliable internet connection, if your internet connect breaks during downloading it might damage the .iso image – which would create problem during booting – and for you to solve this you would have to re-download. And also ensure that you read the description of the .iso image you are downloading, like the size (usually in MB/GB) and for which architecture (32-bit or 64-bits). Once you’ve downloaded it properly you are ready for the next stage.
Burning
at this stage you burn (copy) the .iso image you downloaded earlier ti a CD, DVD or USB drive. Detailed instruction would be given in a subsequent post. Must Linux systems have have default apps to do this. But if you have a windows system you can download (after a little search of course) such applications to help you burn the .iso image. And this burning must be carried out successfully, and when it is proceed to the next stage.
Booting
This is where extra care is required and its the most complicated – because there are some slight variations in boot setting of different computers. For you to be able to boot the Linux image you’ve burned, you need to change the booting sequence of your computer. This is done when you boot your computer for the first time, before the operating system loads, and pressing a particular key (usually one of the F keys). Depending on your computer make, in you boot settings you should be able to access an area that has too do with boot sequence (that is the order in which your computer hardware components are started). If you burnt the Linux .iso to a CD/DDVD you should set your boot sequence to DVD-ROM/DRIVE, or if it is was on a USB drive you boot sequence setting should begin with the USB drive port. Then SAVE and reboot you computer this time with your Linux burned media (CD/DVD/USD drive) inserted to their respective drives.
When this is done properly you should be able to boot into the chosen Linux installation menu, from which you’re free to explore and start the installation proper.
Happy Linux’NG!
- Time complexity analysis: How to calculate running time - April 1, 2024
- Sovereign Tech Fund Invests €1M In GNOME’s Open-Source Project - November 19, 2023
- Google’s Bard AI: ChatGPT Rival or The Next Frontier in AI and NLP Technology - February 8, 2023
