Michael's ArchLinux Installation

[Michael Whapples]

Hello,
I think many have given you good answers up to now.

Here's a few additional things I would mention.

Regarding hardware support, try linux and see what you get, if it 
doesn't work then may be have a look around for drivers. Specifically 
for audio whilst installing, if the modified archlinux CD doesn't detect 
your sound card by default then may be try GRML (if GRML works but the 
archlinux CD doesn't then Chris may like to get some info from you so he 
can try and fix it).

Regarding what is downloaded (assuming if installation is using the 
internet for the source), you will be downloading the entire system (a 
basic one with speakup but not brltty is only about 100MB of download, 
it goes up if you want gnome, brltty, etc). If you have package CDs then 
if you have all the core packages and the ones for speakup, etc it 
shouldn't need anything from the internet (NOTE: I haven't done an 
install from package CDs).

Finally coming to the dual booting stuff, I have always done it with 
Windows first installed. One thing you may want to do (if possible) is 
tell windows to only use part of the disk as that would save having to 
resize it. In the audio tutorial I do show you how to configure grub so 
that you can select which OS to boot when the computer starts, however I 
did make a mistake. The error is that I enabled the makeactive line in 
the windows section and installed grub to the linux partition, this 
simply means that when you boot windows you won't get the grub screen. 
To solve, either install grub to the MBR or do not include the 
makeactive line.

Regarding the use of NTFS, do use it as that's best for windows XP. To 
access NTFS from linux you will probably want the ntfs-3g package.

Michael Whapples
On 01/-10/-28163 08:59 PM, JP Jamous wrote:
> Michael,
>
> After listening to your MP3, I downloaded Archlinux from the Wikki site. I
> have pulled down the latest version. It has IMG and ISO files. Some install
> on CDs and others go on USB drives. Yet, I have a few questions if you or
> any other member could answer.
>
> 1. I have an ISO of core files and another large one, in case there is no
> internet access. My question is what is it going to pull down from the
> internet upon installation? Is it Linux files, drivers, or other?
>
> 2. I found an Inspiron 1300 with a Celeron D and 256 MB on board. Will
> ArchLinux find the audio drivers automatically or do I have to pull them
> down and somehow link them to it? I am assuming the latter.
>
> I have a final question, which is broken down into 4 parts.
>
> 3. If I run both Linux and XP Pro on the machine.
>
> A. which one should I install first?
>
> B. Can I use NTFS or do I need FAT32?
>
> C. Is there a specific order to install both operating systems?
>
> D. Will there be a duel Operating system manager to choose, which operating
> system I want to load?
>
> I would greatly appreciate any guidance to the above questions.
>
>