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.

Step1 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).

Step2 Download the binary Linux files from somewhere like Hungry Penguin. The files will be about 300 to 400 megabytes in size.

Step3 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.

Step4 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.

Step5 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.

Step6 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.

Step7 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.

Step8 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.

Step9 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.

Step10 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.