Install Fedora Core from text mode!

Dec 29, 2006 17:26 GMT  ·  By

This guide is especially made for some people that asked me to write a text mode install of Fedora Core because their machines do not support the graphical installer.

Let's insert the Fedora DVD into your drive and boot from it. You'll be presented with a nice Fedora artwork and some options, see pictures below. Type linux text and hit enter. After pressing the enter button, you will see a lot of text: don't worry, because that's normal; then, you'll see a warning telling you that it has found a CD and if you want to test it, just select the SKIP option and prepare to enter the text mode installation part.

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The first screen of the installer is just a welcome one; hit OK and then, on the second screen, you'll have to choose your language - default is English. Hit OK again - the third screen will ask you about your keyboard layout - default is U.S. English. The next screen is about partitioning your hard drive. I always recommend having a blank drive, with no other operating system on it, or any data at all. At this point, I suggest you select the first option "Remove all partitions on selected drives and create default layout" and then hit the OK button. Before we go to the next screen, a warning will appear that says all data on that drive will be destroyed; if you agree to that, just hit YES (if you really agree, of course). When asked if you want to "Review and modify partitioning layout?" select No.

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The next screen lets you set up your network. If you have DHCP (ask your provider if you're not sure), just leave the settings as they are and hit OK. If you don't have DHCP and you need to configure your network manually, just deselect with space the first option "Use dynamic IP configuration (DHCP)" and and you can fill the IPv4/IPv6 fields below and the Netmask field also (ask your provider if you don't know them). Hit OK after you've finished entering the IP address and the Netmask, and then you'll have to choose a hostname for your machine. This can be done automatically via DHCP or you can add it manually just by selecting one of the options.

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You will be then asked to choose your time zone and a root (system administrator) password; the longer, the better (WRITE IT SOMEWHERE OR MEMORIZE IT). We've arrived to the package selection screen where you have to select the "Customize software selection" option and hit OK. Then, all the important software categories will be listed and you'll have to select what you think you will need for your Linux machine. Important selections are: Administration Tools, Development Libraries, Development Tools, Editors, GNOME Desktop Environment, GNOME Software Development, Graphical Internet, Graphics, KDE (K Desktop Environment), KDE Software Development, Legacy Software Development, Office/Productivity, Sound and Video, System Tools, Text-based internet, X Software Development and X Window System.

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Now, everything will be automatically done, just sit back and watch how the partitions will be formatted and the software installation will start. If everything goes well, at the end, there will be a final screen that lets you know you have successfully installed your new Fedora Core system, and all you have to do now is to enjoy your new Linux Workstation; don't forget to remove the DVD from your drive and hit the Reboot button. The machine will restart and it will boot into your new Fedora Linux environment.