Installing PCLinuxOS - Full tutorial

Hello,

Here we go again, another tutorial is ready. Some of you have waited quite a long, hopefully you won't be disappointed.

It's the same format - step-by-step image and text tutorial, with installation, basic configuration of drivers, shares, useful tips, and more.

Feedback is much appreciated.

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/install_pclinuxos.html

Cheers,
Mrk

 

Another well-done tutorial
I've noticed PCLOS uses basically the same "End Session" screen as MEPIS.
I'll have to trial a live distro and see how well it plays with my wireless.

Nice touch on the Samba walk-through; hopefully this is one more reason to wean more converts from the Dark Side.

 

Thanks, i might install it soon.

 

Hi Mrk! I want to ask about the three partitions u create, swap, root and home. These must be primary partitions or can be logical( inside a single extended partition). Also if I make another partition it should be primary or can be extended.

Thanks

 

It will nice to have downloadable PDF versions of these tutorials but it will take much time I know.

 

Hello,
Sure they can be logical. I do it this way for the sake of simplicity.
As to pdfs, I could try - maybe ps files.
Mrk

 

Thanks Mrk. PDF is a lot of work to do so better to leave it. I think current web site is OK and is written very clearly.

 

PCLinuxOS has been one of the distros I have been testing.
Superfast install, fast system. FWIW, best apps set-up out of the box, beautiful graphics, some limitations.

Now close to equal No1 dls with Ubuntu.
This is part of a ..long and cumbersome effort by me... to trial various distros, I'll give the "Are you experienced: Doofus Linux Report" some more time this week.
Tetsed in VMWare so far:
Ubuntu,
PuppyLinux
Kubuntu
XUbuntu
PCLinux

Still to come
Simply Mepis
SuSE.
Mandriva
Fedora.

This will of course be a completely useless review

 

Hi Mrk:

Well done. Your tutorial has prodded this newbie to try PCLinuxOS again. I was bouncing back between this distro and Ubuntu. I have some observations directed at fellow newbies, and implore you and our fellow linux-heads to correct me if I am wrong.

Both distros have almost perfect hardware recognition. Was up and running right out of the (cd) box.

If you happen to trash PCLinuxOS by fooling around with it (not a hypothetical), insert the live CD and re-install. When you are finished some 15 minutes later, you will find that almost all your settings and preferences have been saved .

If you are replacing Ubuntu with PCLinuxOS, you will not be able to do an install automatically with the wizard. I found it necessary to wipe my HD before install. However, replacing PCLinuxOS with Ubuntu is a matter of inserting the live cd and clicking on the default settings. It seems that Ubuntu will install over anything. A double edged sword if you are attempting a dual boot for the first time.

By the way, I'm starting to think I'm a gnome person. Is this a good thing?

 

Hi, benny bronx

If you like living under ground that your choice.

Can not be said to be bad, other than you will not get your full dose of Vitamin "D" without Sunlight.

Take Care,
TheQuest

 

.

I actually thought gnomes lived on the front lawns of upper middle class homes.

 

PrimoPDF offers a free PDF converter. It installs as a virtual printer driver.
All you have to do is 'print' using the PDF printer and give the PDF file a name.

 

Hello,
I'm familiar with Primo and like it very much. There are many other handy tools, as well. But I was thinking about maybe merging the pages into one document, preserving the styling etc... Then, there's issue of bandwidth... I'll see.
Mrk

 

Really nice job Mrkvonic! I read through the whole Tutorial. I have been interested in Linux but it seemed so daunting each time I read about it.

PCLinuxOS seems like it would work well for me. Thanks for the info.

 

Hello,

Thanks all for your feedback, I appreciate it.

BTW, WOW, people really seem to like this article. Since posting it, the traffic on my website has QUADRUPLED. If this continues, I'll have to increase my bandwidth

I find reviews about the article on this tuxmachines, reviewlinux, and many other site. Looking good babe, looking good.

Cheers all,
Mrk

 

Good for you, that goes to show what a good job you have done

I'm gonna try just running it as a Live Session from the CD first. Since I'm behind a Router FW is that all I would need in terms of protection? I thought I remember reading Linux barely gets any of the nasties that windows gets.

 

Hello,
The right one would be gets NO nasties.
And if you are running live CD, well then ... you could attack with a helicopter, it would not really matter.
Mrk

 

Legend evolving.

 

I knew him way back when.

 

Yes very

I'd like to add acouple of little things I picked up while (still) experimenting with VMware workstation/VirtualBox et al: see post #8

AFAIK VMware server still only supports USB1?
The free trial of VMWareWorkstation V6 is fully functional for 30days for creation of VMs and install of VMTools
VMPlayer is free: get the drift.
Virtual Box is also free but seems to have some limitations re various Guests.
A very good option if your distro is supported.
VB has some very nice touches in the GUI.
Cant confirm, but feels lighter and maybe faster.

MY rig: ( ~5years old)
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)
Processor a 2.67 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
Main Circuit Board Board: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. P4P800S Rev 1.xx
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 080009 08/05/2003
2048 Megabytes Installed Memory
Local Drive Volumes
c: (NTFS on drive 0) 157.28 GB 103.41 GB free
g: (NTFS on drive 0) 52.43 GB 51.63 GB free
j: (NTFS on drive 1) 136.31 GB 71.72 GB free
k: (NTFS on drive 1) 63.72 GB 58.14 GB free
1394 Net Adapter
Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 [Display adapter]
ISP:Telstra Big Pond: avg speed 3-5mbs/sec
( dont laugh if you live elsewhere )

Heh; maybe not right at cutting edge: but works ok. ( put in extra ram b4 starting with VMs)
Using this as host.
NO distro so far has had issues with it

If you are average Wilders frequenter (pre-linux) with 2 FW, 3 Realtime scanners, 2 HIPS, sandboxie, DW, and BOClean etc etc : you WILL max out your VMWare particularly with installations and freeze up: need to turn off lots!!
Installed distros may be slow with other tools running live in Host

VirtualBox freezes and then gives helpful message re "no memory"

Virtual tools are a help unless you are super fast with the keyboard: I have googled etc and managed to install VT in all my trials so far: just need to play and get the Linux rhythm. Lots of web sites have useful info but often are related to ood distros or "earlier" versions of VMWare tools. I forgot to write down what I did with each disto but if I have managed to some degree then others will too.

Even if things go well there may be unexpected little issues
VMs obviously raise the bar a bit for any potential issues.
Check compatability lists for your distro: and VMWare or VirtualBox.
I'm never really sure that what I've done has been the right thing till after I've done it .
Make a good image !!
Keep the VMs off the main drive.
Use a hash checker, get a good dl manager.

If you search around there are lots of pages with ready made VMs for many distros with Vtools already installed: particularly at VMware appliance market.
But you'll miss out on the fun of the live CD and the install.

When you're ready: install and dual booting ??
I'll make a couple of comments about each distro and me when I've finished my immersion.

@MrK: feel like going as far as adding details of VTools installation on the web page? I'll help if I can.
Sorry for hijacking, any comments or advice appreciated.

Regards.

 

Hello,
Don't forget the Server, which is also free.
As to the VTools instructions, are you referring to VMware Tools?
Cheers,
Mrk

 

yes VMWare tools.

I hadn't forgotten the VMWare server, but when I looked ot only had USB1 support. BTAICBW!

I am rather disturbingly actually having fun doing this

 

MRK....I just took a peek at both the tutorial and your website. I have been wanting to put some version of linux on my AMD XP2200 that is sitting in the closet with one 80gig HD with Win XP SP2 Home and one 40gig HD that is empty. I would like to put a version of Linux on the 40gig empty HD and leave the XP on the 80gig HD for now. I have been looking at something called Freespire 2.0 which was looking like a possible install for a "greenhorn" like me. Everytime I start to read about about a version of Linux I find out about another one and get confused at all the choices.

What do you think of Freespire? I am in the middle of filing for retirement, both Pension and SS so I will probably not be able to start anything for a few more weeks until those areas get resolved, but looking at your Tutorial and your website I would call this the "Best find of 2007" for me...Thank You for sharing your knowledge, especially with the "Greenhorns"...William

 

I'm not MRK. So you might not care.

Go with PCLOS. Freespire is behind the times.

And PCLOS is easier.

 

Hello,
spydikers, thanks for the compliment.
Honestly, I have not YET had the time to try Freespire, therefore I cannot comment on it. But from the many distros I have tried, the newbies are well advised to start with Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, maybe even SUSE.
Freespire is on my todo list, along with a 100 others, so it's only the matter of time... I'm writing all kinds of stuff right now.
Mrk