(It is the same as the others.....)


Type of Install:
This install will cover a pure Linux install and a dual boot install on a Dell inspiron 8200. A pure Linux install uses only Linux and a dual boot uses Linux and another OS like Windows. If you are doing a dual boot, just remove all partitions and add one for your other OS, but do not use the whole drive for you other OS. Install your other OS like normal. The size of your partitions will matter on the size of your drives. I would give Linux at least 3 gigs at the very least.

Boot the CD:
Make your BIOS boot off the CD--If you do not know how to do this, check your bios or do a search on google.com--I had push alt-p and highlight the CD-ROM and push the u sign a few times for my Dell Notebook.
Put the CD you just burned Slackware on and place it in the drive and reboot.

Starting the Install:
A screen will appear with Slackware written in blue. A cursor should be blinking now.
Where it says Boot:
Push the [Enter] key with nothing typed.

The kernel will load. It will now ask you if you want to enter a keyboard map.
Where it says Enter 1 to select a keyboard map:
Push the [Enter] key with nothing typed.

Another screen will appear and it will talk about partitions and such.
Where it says Slackware Login
type root
Push the [Enter] key.

You should now see root@slackware.com:/#

Setting the Partitions Up:
First thing you need to know is what hard drive you want Slackware installed on. I only have one drive currently, so I will be installing it on my first drive or HDA. If you want to install it on your second drive, it will be the HDB drive. The third drive is HDC and so on and so on.
Now, I know that I need to install it on HDA, but I need to set it up correctly.

You should now still see root@slackware.com:/#
Type fdisk /dev/hda (hda is for me, so you may need to change it accordingly.)

If you now see command (m for help):, then your in fdisk. If not, you typed something wrong or you do not have that drive.

Where it says command (m for help): type p and push the [Enter] key.
This is displaying you current partitions on this drive. Make sure this looks like the drive you want Linux installed on. If it is, continue on. If this is the wrong drive, exit the program and run fdisk with another drive like hdb.

If you have unwanted partitions like an old windows drive, find what number it is. It will be like /dev/hda1 or /dev/hda2--make sure you do not remove the partition you setup for your other OS. Type d and push the [Enter] key where it says command (m for help): Now type the number of your partition. You can repeat this process.

It is time to add partitions, so make sure it says command (m for help): and type n and then push the [Enter] key.
Type p and then push the [Enter] key.
You will now need to type a number that you want Linux on. Do not choose a number that has a partition on it already--fdisk will tell you when you goof this up. If you have a windows partition on it already, 2 will most likely work for you. If you are pure Linux or another drive, 1 will work.
It will now have you choose your size. It should say something like First cylinder (####-####) / default ####:

Where it says First cylinder (####-####) / default ####: push the [Enter] key.

You will now get another line. In this line there will be a number on the end. Subtract 100 from the number and type your answer in and push the [Enter] key. My last number is 3648, so I typed 3548. You can subtract more for more swap space or less for less swap space. You can read advantages and disadvantages of both less and more. You know see command (m for help): again.

Make sure it says command (m for help): and type n and then push the [Enter] key.
Type p and then push the [Enter] key.
You will now need to type a number 1 larger then the last one you have typed in. If you have a windows partition on it already, 3 will most likely work for you. If you are pure Linux or another drive, 2 will work.
It will now have you choose your size. It should say something like First cylinder (####-####) / default ####: Push the [Enter] key and then push the [Enter] key again.
You know see command (m for help): again.

You now need to define the partition types, so type t where it says command (m for help): and push the [Enter] key.
Choose the number of the first partition you made. If you have a windows partition on it already, 2 will most likely work for you. If you are pure Linux or another drive, 1 will work.

Type 83 and push the [Enter] key.

Type t where it says command (m for help): and push the [Enter] key.
Choose the number of the second partition you made. If you have a windows partition on it already, 3 will most likely work for you. If you are pure Linux or another drive, 2 will work.
Type 82 and push the [Enter] key.
You know see command (m for help): again.

Make sure it says command (m for help): and type w and then push the [Enter] key.


It will write and sync the disks and root@slackware.com:/# will be back.

Setup:
Where it says root@slackware.com:/# type setup and push the [Enter] key.

Go to where it says Add Swap and push [Enter].
Push [Enter] again.
The swap will format and take a bit.
Push [Enter] and it will exit.

Push [Enter] for yes and then [Enter] again for select.
I just pushed [Enter] for a quick format, but you can choose a slow format.
Push [Enter] the enter key, so your drive will be ext3.
You want 4096. Push [Enter] again.
Let it format and push [Enter] to exit when done.

The rest of the setup is self explanatory and you can choose the options you want. You want to make sure to Install from a Slackware CD-ROM unless you have some other special setup. The options I chose should work for everybody, so you can do exactly what I did. I installed all the packages. I did a full install too. Let everything install. If this glitches, try a new CD or cleaning the CD.

Kernel: I chose a kernel off the cdrom and selected /cdrom/kernels/bare.i/BZimage

Modem: I did not bother because I will hopefully never need it.

Boot Loader or LILO: Did simple and used 1024x768x256 for the resolution. No extra parameters are needed now, so we will add any extra parameters later. I installed it on the MBR and have had the best luck with this option. If you do get an error doing this, you will need to use your boot disk and run the command liloconfig--try different options this time.

Mouse: I chose imps2 because I have an optical mouse.

Network: I have a network, so I setup the nework--you can configure your network again after the install too.
Push the [Enter] key. Enter any a domain and hostname unless your network need a certain on. I selected DHCP and pushed the [Enter] key--My DSL connection, old cable connection and college network is DHCP, so DHCP is probably your best bet. I do not have a DHCP hostname, so I just pushed the [Enter] key. I let it probe for the card. If your internet does not work, call your service provider and get the settings. After you get the settings, run the command netconfig and type them in correctly.

Window Manager: I chose xinitrc.gnome, so I could use gnome. If you want another window manager, choose it here--you can edit this later too.

Password: Do not make it too easy and remember it.

Boot Services: I left these as is, but if you want to have something load on boot up select it here--you will be able to change this later.

Reboot and your done.

Slackware Linux is installed.
If you choose Linux from the LILO menu, it will load Linux.

Your username is root
Your password is the one you selected in the install.

i will try to write down a step-by-step tutorial, which will allow you to sample of the original taste of linux. using slackware is a great exercise in one's skills of mastering linux. unlike suse or ubuntu, slackware uses very few guis and most of the work has to be done via command line.