Totally new to Linux and trying to install it

[TomPook]

I have installed a second hard drive that I worked out how to format so that there is hdb1, hdb2 and hdb3. 1 = boot, 2= swap, 3=home. Windows cannot see this drive.

I have the following CD-Roms:
Knoppix 3.4
Gentoo 2004.2 disc 1
Gentoo 2004.2 disc 2
KDE 3.3
Linux 2.6.8.1

I can boot and run Knoppix. But I am so new to Linux that...

I can start the installation of Gentoo but fail at EMERGE.

I cannot use Knoppix to copy, cast and unpack files from any CD-ROMs.

How do I get Linux onto the right partitions of hdb? Preferrably using Knoppix's copy and paste. As you see I am MS Overdosed. If I have to use command - how?

I really think that open code is the only way forward. Please help.
Tom

[UnderScore]

You mention that you want to install Linux to hdb & thats sounds like the start of a plan. But you have not mentioned what you intend to acomplish.

Do you want linux as a server?
Do you want linux as a desktop?
Do you want an installation that lets you learn more about the internals of Linux?
Would you prefer an installation that makes many of the decisions for you?
Do you like the command line?
Do you hate the command line?
Do you have a fast internet connection?

Answers to those questions would help us to match you with what you want.
If you don't like the command line at all then I recommend either Linspire (http://www.linspire.com) or Mandrake (http://www.mandrakelinux.com).
If are confident with the command line but do not want to get too deep into the underlying systems, then I recommend Debian (Debian Net install ISO - 107MB (http://cdimage.debian.org/pub/cdimage-testing/sid_d-i/i386/pre-rc2/sarge-i386-netinst.iso) from http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/).
I also post at the Gentoo forums (http://forums.gentoo.org) under the same name and have been a Gentoo user for about 2 years. Gentoo is a great distro. However, it may not find your needs or wants.

[j.drake]

If you're new, then why not do a poor man's install (PMI) for now, and decide which method is better once you gain more experience? You may just find that a PMI is all you really need.

jd

[CrashedAgain]

I have installed a second hard drive that I worked out how to format so that there is hdb1, hdb2 and hdb3. 1 = boot, 2= swap, 3=home. Windows cannot see this drive.

I have the following CD-Roms:
Knoppix 3.4
Gentoo 2004.2 disc 1
Gentoo 2004.2 disc 2
KDE 3.3
Linux 2.6.8.1

I can boot and run Knoppix. But I am so new to Linux that...

I can start the installation of Gentoo but fail at EMERGE.

I cannot use Knoppix to copy, cast and unpack files from any CD-ROMs.

How do I get Linux onto the right partitions of hdb? Preferrably using Knoppix's copy and paste. As you see I am MS Overdosed. If I have to use command - how?

I really think that open code is the only way forward. Please help.
Tom
How big is your hdb1,3 and 3?
You say you can boot & run Knoppix. Do you mean run from the CD ie not Hard Drive install? HD installing Knoppix is easy, just open a console & type 'sudo knoppix-installer' & follow the prompts.

You shouldn't really need a separate partition for /home but since you have one, follow the procedure in the Knoppix docs to set hdb3 as your /home.

http://www.knoppix.net/docs/index.php/HomePartitionHowTo

Gentoo is not an easy distro for beginners, I recommend you avoid it until you are more familiar with Linux.

If you HD install Knoppix, there is a 'bug' (actually just an incomplete setup) in Knoppix 3.4 which may prevent you from using the CDrom Icon on the desktop if using the 2.6 kernel.

You can edit your startup scripts to fix it but for now just type 'sudo ln -s /dev/scd0 /dev/cdrom' in a terminal console & it should work OK.

You should not need the kde 3.3 disk or the linux 2.6.8 disk. kde 3.3 is the 'latest' version of the kde desktop, but with knoppix (since it is a Debian based distro), it is easier to upgrade to kde3.3 by using the built-in apt-get package manager. Linux 2.6.8 is the latest linux operating system kernel. Knoppix 3.4 comes with 2.6.6, there really is no need to upgrade to 2.6.8 and trying to do it could get complicated.

So: My recommendation is to install Knoppix 3.4 to your hdb1 and try it out to become familiar with linux.

[firebyrd10]

Try typing
su
knoppix-installer
at a terminal window.

Basicly follow the script and let it install.

Look for the drive you installed knoppix to and click it. Then right click it and go to actions, then change read/write. Do this with the drive you want your home directory on.

While still in the same terminal window, type konqueror then go to the drive and head to the /home directory. Move everything inside to the drive that you want to be your home directory. Now go back to the knoppix installed drive and go to /etc, search for the fstab and open it. add a line that says

/dev/hdb3 /home defualts,user 0 0

and make sure there is a blank line under it (needed for some reason)
save and exit. Now reboot and your new system should be ready.

[TomPook]

Thank you for your replies.

I Gave up and installed SuSE which seems to be OK except that I do not have internet due to using broadband.

I am not up to speed on installing tarballs. But RPMs seem to work most of the time. I will work that one out over the next few days.

How do I get my broadband going? Where do I start to look for help? All the lights are on, so Linux knows that it is there.

All help is much appreciated.

A