Where the hell do I start ?

Phil K · n00b Joined: 27 Oct 2002 Posts: 7 Location: Newcastle UK

I am currently downloading what I thought was Gentoo. Well it is, but unlike any other Linux downloads of their OS. It has gone on and on I was thinking what the hell ? It would seem that I have downloaded around a gigabyte of data and I'm only up to the "G's" !!! With other "distro"'s the info is in seperate disks. What am i supposed to do when its finished ? I like the look from the screenshots, but I dont even know where to start. I am using XP ()and using SmartFTP to download it onto my Windows Hard disk) and am experimenting in a dual boot with Lycoris. Problem with that is I am not too sure about one or two things, but its quite good. I'd like to replace Lycoris on the quite large partition (30gig) on my 2nd hard drive, which is a Linux partition created by Partition Magic. Can anyone lead me through this ? I DESPERATELY need guidance !!!! Thanks.

El_Presidente_Pufferfish · Veteran Joined: 11 Jul 2002 Posts: 1179 Location: Seattle

?
The gentoo stage 1 CD is quite small, mine is like 18MB or something

the portage tree is about 200MB i think

what are you talking about?

Phil K · n00b Joined: 27 Oct 2002 Posts: 7 Location: Newcastle UK

I've obviously buggered up somewhere. Something about distros on a Danish mirror. (Lets face it, its not exactly well labelled here now is it ?)

TheCoop · Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2002 10:45 pm Post subject:

ok, download http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/distributions/gentoo/releases/1.4_rc1/x86/livecd-basic-1.4_rc1-r2.iso and burn it onto a cdrom, then boot from it, set up your net connection by typing 'net-setup eth0', have a look at the install docs by typing 'lynx ww.gentoo.org/doc/build.html and follow those instructions, deleting your lycoris partitions with fdisk
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Pluvius · Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2002 10:47 pm Post subject:

It sounds like you are trying to download the entire Portage tree of source code. Stop.

Look for the iso copies off a link on the main Gentoo site. An iso copy is a file that you can burn onto a CD. Booting from the CD will allow you to install Gentoo Linux.

The iso's are under the Install:x86 link at the top of the page.

Phil K · n00b Joined: 27 Oct 2002 Posts: 7 Location: Newcastle UK

Ah ! Great. Thats more like it. Many thanks, Coop, mate - and Pluvius. Good advice. I knew something was pear shaped but hell, I'm just starting. THAT is why I am asking (begging almost !) for guidance. Thanks.

Phil K · n00b Joined: 27 Oct 2002 Posts: 7 Location: Newcastle UK

Gents, we all have to start somewhere. :wink:

Try driving a train (as I do) without any instruction whatsoever.

ledskof · Apprentice Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 209

When approaching a new OS, or just about any piece of software, I generally start on the front page.
http://gentoo.org/
If you read the front page you'll see 'Install: X86' which links to -> http://gentoo.org/doc/build.html
Which explains pretty accurately how to setup Gentoo 1.4rc1 for the most part.

If you are going to use ataraid though I recommend starting with the 1.2 CD. Ataraid didn't get along to well with 1.4rc1 for me. But it was flawless in 1.2. Even though I trashed it, started over, and used software raid, which I'm extremely happy with.

floam · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2002 3:58 am Post subject:

i highly reccomend printing the install instructions. There is no installer for gentoo, its just typing bunches of commands, print it and follow it word for word.

TheCoop · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2002 7:52 am Post subject:

ledskof · Apprentice Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 209

I just brought up the webpage in another console when I was installing gentoo for the first time.
So if you forget to print it out, or you don't have another computer or whatever, just open another console (alt-f2) and #lynx www.gentoo.org

lynx is your friend

Phil K · n00b Joined: 27 Oct 2002 Posts: 7 Location: Newcastle UK

Blind0wl · Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2002 1:17 am Post subject:

Remember theres a bit of string you have to pull to blow the horn

Phil K · n00b Joined: 27 Oct 2002 Posts: 7 Location: Newcastle UK

TheCoop · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2002 11:14 am Post subject:

even easier then...
_________________
95% of all computer errors occur between chair and keyboard (TM)

"One World, One web, One program" - Microsoft Promo ad.
"Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer" - Adolf Hitler

Change the world - move a rock

Phil K · n00b Joined: 27 Oct 2002 Posts: 7 Location: Newcastle UK

I tried to use the Gentoo disk by the way, and when it came too seting up the internet, I came to a blank wall for some reason. When I got to the IP config, it said there was an error. God knows why, but I've come to a full stop. Dont know where to go from here. Net works quite happily (with a network card by the way) with XP.

RagManX · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2002 12:59 pm Post subject:

After you login from the install bootup, type: