How to install Gentoo 10.1 LiveDVD?

smlg · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 13

Hi,

I'm a Gentoo newbie although I have been using those newbie-friendly distros like Ubuntu, Mandriva, Linuxmint, Mepis among others. Then I stumbled upon Sabayon which I like because it is Gentoo-based although I really prefer a pure-bred Gentoo system.

I downloaded the Gentoo 10.1 LiveDVD thinking that it was installable... is it?

What is the fastest & easiest way for installing Gentoo? Is there a shortcut?

Another question, what Gentoo-based Distro is the most compatible to Gentoo?

I've seen quite a number on Distrowatch like:

Pentoo
Sabayon
Toorox
VLOS
Calculate Linux

And I was wondering if there was a short-cut (sorry but I know it is cheating) to install a Pure Gentoo system by going through the Gentoo-based distros. I was thinking this path because I have seen some ArchLinux newbies go through the path of Chakra Linux to be able to get a pure Archlinux system by uninstalling the Chakra stuff.

Please help... I love Gentoo.

cach0rr0 · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:09 am Post subject:

basically the shortcut you're looking for is an installer - there isn't one (well, you the human ARE the installer!)

the gentoo installation process requires you to manually partition, make file systems, etc, then unpack the stage and portage which basically end up allowing you to create your own distribution of sorts, with only the dependencies you choose, compiled only with the optimizations you choose, only for the architecture you choose.

an installer would be completely counter to this

getting a basic install going, where you have a bootable system, should take you from 30 minutes to 1 hour if you go through the handbook step by step. The handbook is here - http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/ - this should walk you step by step through doing a basic minimal install. Some have the steps memorized, so it's even quicker. Some have trouble getting an optimized or even functional kernel built, and that's normally the most difficult time consuming part, so if you're really struggling with getting a kernel built you may well be one of those horror stories where it takes multiple days.

a number of users, devs, and admins, have contributed a great amount in facilitating the kernel configuration as much as possible. There is pappy's guide (see link in sig), Linux SEA, and then certain admins/devs who seem to never sleep

Once you have the base system going, it's a matter of deciding what you want installed, window shopping for software, etc

at any rate, for gentoo to make shortcuts, it would have to make assumptions about what you want on your system - which would again be contrary to the idea of having a system 100% optimized specifically to your needs from the ground up. The gentoo install process is all done by you, and even the tools provided make minimal assumptions about what YOU want. If you want assumptions and hence the shortcut, something like a sabayon or arch would be more appropriate.

But alas the handbook is there, and if you go through it step by step, 30 mins to 1hr. If you want X, a bit longer as there's heaps to compile.
_________________
Lost configuring your system?
dump lspci -n here | see Pappy's guide | Link Stash

throdon · n00b Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 54

as a longer than you Sabayon user(2.5years) I can tell you have not read enough to be ready for Gentoo, you could surprise me but I think it best to let you know now that you need to read a shitload more than reviews to

ryan221 · n00b Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Posts: 28

you definately don't want to take shortcuts when installing gentoo.

you'll have no clue what to do the first time something breaks nor will you have any clue how to maintain your system

i equate binary distros and stuff to driving a car. Anyone can learn it in a short time and "drive" the car. There's nothing wrong with that if it is what you prefer

to use gentoo you have to be like an auto mechanic , you not only have to know how to drive it , but you also have to learn about all the stuff under the hood, what it does, and how to fix it when it's broken.

if you read and follow the handbook, it's not that hard to install gentoo most of the time (provided it's not on some exotic hardware or something). it just takes some time and the will to learn.

the live dvd it is great for installing gentoo, just use ctrl+alt+F1 after it loads , this puts you in the terminal , the just do

passwd

and change the root password to something you will remember , then just ctrl+alt+F7 to get back to the live dvd desktop. now you can open a root terminal ( or regular terminal and use su ) and just follow the handbook from there.

this way you will have a working desktop while installing so you can surf the web , listen to music, play games, etc while stuff is compiling , it also is alot easier if you have a problem , you can easily check the gentoo website documentation or come here for help

as long as you follow the handbook like it says , most people on the forums will be willing to help with you with problems

if you just want to "cheat" and not learn anything , no body's going to want to help you

(of course for a really gentoo-like experience , download the min CD and do it all from the command line and links web browser)

ps: for anyone who's interested , there is talk on funtoo of offering binary packages for a quick install , but as they just started discussing it , i would imagine it's going to be awhile.

smlg · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 13

PeggySue · n00b Joined: 19 Dec 2009 Posts: 73 Location: Devon, UK

Hi smig,

I'm new to Gentoo having used Ubuntu for a few years. I spent the last few weeks building Gentoo and I have to say I have learnt more about Linux in the last few weeks than in the last few years. I have built my system with Gnome and superficially it looks a lot like Ubuntu which also uses a Gnome desktop.

If you want to learn about Linux and you have the time and commitment then I wish you well but do be prepared for some serious study work.

Don't be put off by harsh words; just remember we all have different ways of expressing ourselves. If you read the posts again you will know who to follow. I found the support to be first class; the documentation is very good but it makes a lot more sense when you have finished than it does when you are doing the install.

Good luck.
_________________
My time machine is broken which is odd because it was working tomorrow.

sera · Retired Dev Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1017 Location: CET

throdon · n00b Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 54

ok sorry I am pretty insecure. I have tried to take every easy short cut there was to Gentoo. All the way from Gentoo 2008 live DVD/CD to using Knoppix or any other live CD to install Gentoo. There is actually a page that spells it out for you. I thought it was a short cut to the Glories of Gentoo. I FAILED EVERY TIME. I just recently tried to install using the minimal Gentoo CD w/ the handbook and was almost to where I had X installed it took me a week and a half. The only reason I could not go any farther is I need my laptop up and running now not next week or next month. So this morning I started a new Gentoo install on my desktop w/ the minimal CD and I am configuring the kernel as I type this. I am understanding more and more as this is the second official time I am through it( I am also taking notes((throdon's personal handbook)) and using a shitload of book marks and references I have found along the way to augment the handbook) and it is getting more understandable. there is no easy button and the frustration/fail level with Gentoo is very high.

sorry I miss understood/was a dick and I wish you good luck! Don't hate Gentoo forums because of dicks like me.
_________________
The progress bar in Gentoo?... it's in your head.

Urakill · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 8

Hallo, after a few days to read a lot of explainetions to install gentoo, i think I leave this distro. Nowere I read about the install. A simply install of course. I downloaded 8gig of cd, dvd live or not, I never be able to install something of gentoo. It is why a lot of people used Ubuntu. Sry about that.

cach0rr0 · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 1:41 am Post subject:

d2_racing · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 3:44 am Post subject:

Urakill · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 8

Hi all, thx for the fast reply :lol:

. I will just install a gentoo desktop x64. The first ting I will need to now is, what for download I will need. I downloaded the live dvd 10.0 but they not have a installer, never mind. I downloaded the installer but they dont have the stage3 tarball. Now i will download the installer i686. I guest that all needed stuff are present. I hope for x64 also. I will try it.

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 12:35 pm Post subject:

Urakill,

Since you have the 10.0 DVD, use it as a tool to install Gentoo in the normal way.
It will provide you a GUI while you install.

Nothing from the install media you choose ends up in your install - it only provides tools to allow you to do the install.
You will need the amd64 stage 3 tarball and the current portage snapshot whail you follow the Gentoo Handbook choose the amd64 version.

Your CD needs to be 64 bit too to accomplish a 64 bit install. 32 bit kernels cannot run 64 bit code.
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.

Urakill · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 8

NeddychosoSeagoon, thx. I forgot to tell that i am running a intel E8400. That's why I don't tried the amd64. Maybe I'm wrong? :oops:

Urakill · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 8

Ok I am wrong. AMD64 will run with a amd64 or em64T. EM64T is a intel! Wel, wel wel, why gentoo call this fil only amd64? Ok I try, and thx again to NeddychosoSeagoon. :lol:

Urakill · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 8

I got a error. "Failed to start the X server..." I take a look at the forum if I can resolve this error.

Urakill · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 8

I was finally able to install Gentoo. After this error I do a Xorg config. 1. Xorg -configure. 2. cp //xorg.conf.new //xorg.conf. 3. gdm. So it was starting the X server. For info I do the install with the livecd-amd64-installer-2008.0-r1.iso.
[/url]

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 7:50 pm Post subject:

Urakill,

When AMD launched the 64 bit Opteron CPU, that ran 32 bit code natively, it killed the Intel Itainum, which was Intels non compatible 64 bit CPU.
It needed a software emulator to run all the 32 bit code in existance, which made it slower than even a mid range 32 bit CPU.

Intel licenced the AND design and called it EM64-T, so modern Intel CPUs are AMD64 compatibles. Thats why you need the AMD64 install and not the IA64, whichis for the Itainum.

I hope you didn't use the binary installer on the 2008-r1.ISO. That gives you a Gentoo almost two years old and almost impossible to update to todays Gentoo.
Well, its a wonderful learning opportunity to do the update but a reinstall with the amd64-stage3 is faster.
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.

Urakill · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 8

I attempt 3 times to install gentoo. I used amd64. Gentoo dont boot properly. I have a lot of errors. I fix a lot but now I am a little bit tired.All this work to just install gentoo. I will try Sabayon amd64 now. Thanks a lot for you help and I will try gentoo anyway.

d2_racing · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 12:11 am Post subject:

Sabayon is not your answer, you should retry to install a Gentoo box, since Sabayon it's only a right click install method.

Urakill · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 8

d2_racing, I agree with you. But I installed Sabayon in 15mins. I dont have any problems. I have tried this to see if Gentoo is faster vs Ubuntu. I dont know if it's make a difference. It's look very nice, but it must stable also. Ok I try now to install Gentoo.

d2_racing · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:57 pm Post subject:

For the speed thing, there is 2 things that you need to check, it's your cflags,cxxflags and also your Use Flags.

With that, you can boost your performance a lot.

Good luck

smlg · n00b Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 13

Guys....

Thank you for the replies and advise. I've tried to install using the Gentoo Handbook to no avail. My skill-level is not up-to-par for the easy installation of Gentoo.

I will just try those Gentoo-based Distros like:

Sabayon (again)
VLOS
Calculate Linux
Toorox

until i master the installation.

how newbies like me would wish for a "snap-shot" installable livecd with a working desktop environment to get things going.

Installing Gentoo requires a higher skill-level than installing Archlinux in my opinion.

throdon · n00b Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 54

smlg, as I said in my second post on this thread. I am sorry and was wrong.

Do you now understand, what I meant about the hard work. I have run through the install 4 more times since my post from the other day. I am getting better and more comfortable. but I am still making mistakes. I still haven't achieved X but I am not worried about that. it might not get easier but it does get more comfortable the more you run through it.

and you only have 3 posts. ask questions on the forums. I am here posting as throdon so that people can see that I had a change of attitude. I will not be an asshole anymore. that is my punishment, I could of change who I was on the forum, but I must clear my name.

so keep reading and post questions on the forum, the only way you can confirm what you learn is by asking if you understand correctly.

Good luck, and if you go to sabayon or any other distro. just think of it as training wheels for when you are ready to tackle Gentoo again.
_________________
The progress bar in Gentoo?... it's in your head.

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 6:54 pm Post subject:

throdon,

Its very hard to mess up a gentoo install so the only thing to do is reinstall.
I can only thing of a few ways. You should not start over when something does not work - thats a bad habit you learned from another operating system.

Post on the forums - tell us whet you did, what actually happened, what you expected to happen and any error messages (verbatim) you saw.
That will be enough to get someone started diagnosing you problem. We will ask for more information if its needed.
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.