noob to install gentoo

akosijanedoe · n00b Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

hello everyone i'm a total noob here, nonetheless I'm a computer enthusiast and I want to install gentoo on my laptop with a pre-installed vista premium 32-bit. are there any instructions on how to dual boot gentoo with vista in laymen's term?

all i know now is i need to allocate space for a new partition. this can be done by vista's disk management. then burn the dvd iso file i downloaded from gentoo's site and boot that dvd. but before that i still need to change my boot order via BIOS.

i read from a site that i should place my swap files in the partition where gentoo would be installed, is that neccessary?

so that's all i know for now. any tips before i install gentoo?

o and how many gig should i free if i'll only use gentoo for programming and internet needs ?

any help is much appreciated. thanks

frostschutz · Advocate Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 2977 Location: Germany

noob advice:
follow the handbook, join a gentoo channel in case you have problems, don't use the installer, run this experiment on a machine that you can afford to lose completely

d2_racing · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

farhaven · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 127

akosijanedoe · n00b Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

but i've never used linux before so the handbook looks sort of encrypted.

i'm thinking of trying knoppix first. would that help me understand and know the work arounds of gentoo? or is there a gentoo that doesn't require installation? or anything close to gentoo so i can have a hands-on before installing the real thing. thanks again

frostschutz · Advocate Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 2977 Location: Germany

Well, there is the Gentoo LiveDVD. But if it's your first time using Linux at all, you may be better off with some distro that targets beginners, like Ubuntu. Or if you don't want to install anything at all, Knoppix.

cwr · Veteran Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Posts: 1969

What he said ... I wouldn't start installing Gentoo with _no_ knowledge of
Linux if I were you. Try installing Ubuntu, say, from a live DVD and leave
space on the disk (10-20G) to install Gentoo later.

Will

cyblord · Guru Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 424

check out the gentoo wiki, lots of useful info there.

pappy_mcfae · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:51 am Post subject:

On the other side of that argument, there are many here who have used Gentoo exclusively from day one, Linux 101. If you want a real challenge, and you aren't afraid of a little computer breakage here and there, I say give Gentoo a try. However, it is best to experiment on a computer that will not be mourned if it gets a bit screwed up.

If one can read and type, one can install Gentoo. The really fun stuff comes after the initial installation. And the forum is here to iron out pretty much any problem that will arise. Imagine the bragging rights involved! Your geek friends will turn all shades of green!

Blessed be!
Pappy
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NathanZachary · Moderator Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 2605

Installing Gentoo without prior Linux understanding can be daunting. However, if you really want to learn about Linux, it's the way to go. Also, posting all of your questions, comments, and concerns here on the forum is a great way to learn. Check over all the documentation, give it a go, and if you have problems, we're here to help.

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mjf55 · Guru Joined: 25 Aug 2007 Posts: 372

I have to agree that Gentoo will teach you linux, but you will get frustrated while you learn the basics to install. I would recommend Sabayon. It is Gentoo based, has a graphic installer that worked ( at least last year when I used it ) and sets up a nice working ( if bloated) system. From there you can learn and when ready, start over with Gentoo.
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