2.3 Installing the Linux software

After you have resized your existing partitions to make space for Linux, you are ready to install the software. Here is a brief overview of the procedure:

• Boot the Linux installation media;
• Run fdisk under Linux to create Linux partitions;
• Run mke2fs and mkswap to create Linux filesystems and swap space;
• Install the Linux software;
• Finally, either install the LILO boot loader on your hard drive, or create a boot floppy in order to boot your new Linux system.

As we have said, one (or more) of these steps may be automated for you by the installation procedure, depending on the distribution of Linux which you are using. Please consult the documentation for your distribution for specific instructions.

• 2.3.1 Booting Linux
• 2.3.2 Drives and partitions under Linux
• 2.3.3 Creating Linux partitions
• 2.3.4 Creating the swap space
• 2.3.5 Creating the filesystems
• 2.3.6 Installing the software
  • 2.3.6.1 Installing Slackware with setup
• 2.3.7 Creating the boot floppy or installing LILO
• 2.3.8 Additional installation procedures