Gentoo for noobs?

Linuxandlizards · n00b Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

Hey guys!
I would like to try Gentoo, so far I have tried pclinuxos and ubuntu.
I hear the gentoo is just wonderful but how suitable is it for a beginner?
Is it easy to install and configure?
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Voltago · Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Gentoo for noobs?

Ballerbaer · n00b Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Hi guy,
I'm new at gentoo too, and can say that installation is not difficult if you can read :wink:

and know what hardware you have.

But the installation process is much more difficult than in ubuntu where you just click install and the system will do the rest for you.

Little hint: Read through the installation manual before installing and write down what commands you have to type in so you mustn't read
it at the console while installing.

Hope i helped you,
bye

sonicbhoc · Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject:

My first few installs took me about a week. After about 4 I could install everything I need and configure it all in 2 days. But then again, when I was a newbie I totally messed up the kernel, and re-installed each and every time I stepped even a little out of the handbook's guidelines, and I didn't know any command line things to stop/pause processes, and I thought that if you didn't complete the base install in one run through you had to do it again (I was wrong, it was still in /mnt/gentoo after I mounted it, I learned at about my 3rd try).

Here are some helpful hints:

There you have it. Have fun with your system!
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Linuxandlizards · n00b Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

Thanks!
This sounds pretty exciting!
I am a member of my local lug, they meet every friday so if I get stuck I can always ask them I guess lol.
Where is this installation manual?

Even if it kills me this sounds fun

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sonicbhoc · Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:16 pm Post subject:

http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/index.xml

DON'T USE THE GUI INSTALLER. I can't stress that enough. Use the minimal install or, if you want a GUI while installing so you can use your computer, get any linux livecd (I recommend this one), crack open a terminal and follow the regular minimal install instructions. However, the utility "mirrorselect" isn't available on any livecd that's not Gentoo based. Not like you'd need it though.
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Linuxandlizards · n00b Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

this is what I downloaded.

livecd-i686-installer-2006.1

will this work?
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sonicbhoc · Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:25 pm Post subject:

if you use that, follow the instructions I linked you to (in other words, do a manual install from a terminal).

DO NOT USE THE GRAPHICAL INSTALLER, IT CAN BREAK IN A MILLION DIFFERENT WAYS. (and you won't learn anything from using it)

The liveCD I linked you to is far better in my opinion (and it uses KDE, my favorite interface).

http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook-x86.xml - regular handbook
http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook-amd64.xml - 64bit processor handbook

if you have a dual core processor, you'll probably be using the second link.
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I'm too lazy to keep this stupid signature up to date, so here's something more interesting:
My friend Hetdegon can draw if you ask me.
Now using PClinuxOS on my laptop and Gentoo on my desktop and new laptop.

Linuxandlizards · n00b Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

the link you sent to me if for pclinuxos
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sonicbhoc · Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:28 pm Post subject:

exactly. You can use any livecd for a Gentoo Linux install if you follow the handbook. I just sent you to my favorite.
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I'm too lazy to keep this stupid signature up to date, so here's something more interesting:
My friend Hetdegon can draw if you ask me.
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Linuxandlizards · n00b Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

so your saying use a dialogue installation?
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swooshOnLn · Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:38 pm Post subject:

Linuxandlizzards,

The ISO you downloaded is FINE. Thats how I install Gentoo. All you need to do is once the LiveCD is booted, open a terminal and follow the installation manual. You do not need to download another LiveCD for they are pretty much all the same (granted alot of other LiveCDs support more hardware, use KDE insted of Gnome, etc). So jusut stick with what you got, there is no problem.
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Linuxandlizards · n00b Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

brb guys gtg.
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sonicbhoc · Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:01 pm Post subject:

deejay_wonder · n00b Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 42

Linuxandlizards · n00b Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

ok thanks for all the help!
Sorry about the gtg and brb.
On some other forums people looked down on me for not using them lol! They said I was a clasic!
Well thanks for the advice I'll keep that in mind.
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the_gummibear · n00b Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Belgium

I always recommend Gentoo for starters.. Since by using it you learn more about linux/your system than simply clicking "install" (in a matter of speech) for ubuntu/debian/...

But.. Be warned that it'll take a while & that the pc on which you're installing it will be unavailable for a while.
So it would be interesting/easy if you have another pc to use (daily use/help on errors during install/...) whilst installing.

But every 'noob' can install Gentoo if he's willing to be patient

sonicbhoc · Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject:

dragnazz · n00b Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

not trying to hijack a thread i just dont feel the need to start another thread on the subject. im also going to try to install gentoo mainly because im curious about other distros and have heard this one is awesome but is also very tricky at first. im just having trouble finding the right .iso file to download. its going on a toshiba lap top with an intel processor. but i cant seem to find the right one....or im just blind and totally missing it. also...is the install gonna totally take down my computer until its all done. or am i gonna be able to read the manual if i save it to my computer up until the end of the install? i just dont want to get halfway through this install and completely screw my computer and than not be able to do anything on it.

thanks for the help and sorry for jacking the thread

baigsabeeh · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:53 am Post subject:

It becomes second nature to you after a while. I finish an install in about 1 hour. That's a Stage 3 install, then I go back and do an update and then a system rebuild. Then installing my programs and stuff like that, and in 2 or 3 days I'm done.
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Jaglover · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:36 pm Post subject:

Dammital · Apprentice Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 189