How to Install Linux on a Laptop

If you want to install Linux on a laptop, you need to consider hard drive space. The installation process is less intuitive than you might think and can be especially challenging if you want to be able to dually run Windows. The following steps are a generalized approach that can be applied to the different variations on the Linux operating system.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Linux
• Laptop

1. Prepare for installation. Gather any hardware manuals you have. Gather information about your hardware configuration by running the Microsoft Diagnostics Utility (msd.exe in ms-dos 5.0 or higher).

2. Download the binary Linux files from somewhere like Hungry Penguin. The files will be about 300 to 400 megabytes in size.

3. Put the Binary files onto CD-ROM disks. Use these bootable disks instead of booting Linux from your hard drive. To make the CDs bootable, go into the bio screen of your computer.

4. Change the boot sequence in the bios screen so that your computer will boot from the CD-ROM disks containing your Linux files. Choose “Set to CD-ROM.” Save your changes and restart your computer.

5. Start the booting sequence. The first part of the sequence will ask you if you want to install various aspects of the CD-ROM files. Typically, it only requires you to keep pressing the “Enter” button. Taking the default settings is usually the simplest option.

6. Partition your hard drive by making file systems, either on your own or with purchasable software. You will have to make four partitions for Linux.

7. Make a /boot partition. This tells your computer that the hard drive can be booted from the Linux kernel, analogous to the lower level functions of a brain.

8. Make a /swap partition. This partition determines how the Linux kernel gets information from your RAM. Generally, this partition will be about double the size of your RAM.

9. Make a root partition, designated by a single forward slash (/). This partition is essentially the same as the C drive on a Windows machine. It will contain setup files and the directories for various devices on your computer.

10. Make a /home partition. This will contain all of the user files. The installation sequence will ask you a series of questions about what you want to install (there are a lot of possibilities). When you are done, click “OK,” and the Linux will begin to install.

Tips & Warnings

• Enter the bios page of your computer while your computer is booting up. Different machines have different methods, but it usually involves pressing the "Delete" or "Backspace" button while your computer is booting up.
• The Mandrake and Knoppix versions of Linux come highly recommended for the novice Linux user.
• The biggest problem with Linux on laptops has historically been hardware support, although this has improved.
• Don’t mess around too much with the / or Root partition. These directories are very sensitive. Upsetting them can be harmful to your computer.