First, get yourself a copy of RedHat Linux.
I have based these intructions on using RedHat Linux 7.3, which you
can download from www.redhat.com, burn
yourself the ISO images and off you go. I am also assuming that you want
to dual boot between Windows and Linux, which is very straightforward....
You will need to make sure that you have enough free space in
your existing C partition to allow you to shrink it to make some space for
you Linux installation. If you don't know how to do this, have a good look
on the internet for suitable shareware programs or buy a copy of Partition
Magic. Before starting the installation you should consider whether you need
to exchange information between your Linux OS and Windows. If so, and your
C: drive is formatted using NTFS, you will have to create a new FAT partition
(i.e. a new D: drive).
Boot from the Linux CD
OK so you've burnt your CDs, put disk one in the CD drive and reboot the
machine. You will need to change the boot order in the BIOS, so that your
computer tries to boot from the CD before it looks at the hard disk. Check
in your manual for how to do this.
- Make sure that you don't have any peripherals (scanners, mice
etc) attached to the computer when you perform the installation
- Press [enter] to select the graphical installation
- Follow the on screen instructions for the various installation
options, optional software components, network set up etc.
- If your C: drive is formatted using NTFS you should *NOT* mount
this partition in Linux. Instead you should consider making a FAT
partition (i.e. a D: drive), using PartitionMagic or some other program, which
can then be mounted safely from within Linux and allow you to share files
between the installed operating systems (see above)
- The installer should detect the graphics chip installed (a Radeon
7500, will be detected as an ATI Radeon M7), let it probe for the amount of
memory installed (32 MB)
- You should select Generic LCD flat panel display 1600*1200 and
32 bit colour
- Let the installer test your X settings, this should be fine
- The boot loader to use is GRUB, which should be installed on
the boot sector of the first partition (/dev/hda1), you can choose which
OS you want to have booted by default
- You won't be able to make a boot disk, since you don't have a
floppy drive - don't worry it'll work!
- Reboot
Boot the system
You should have been presented with the Grub boot loader screen, select Red
Hat Linux and press [enter]. All being well you should then see the a load
of messages flying up the screen, and after about a minute be presented with
the graphical login screen. Type in your username and password and off you
go!
Now, you could just leave it at that. However, if you want to use ACPI, listen
to CDs/have any sound, use USB or firewire/iLink (IEEE 1394) devices then
you are going to have to compile your own kernel.