CSCI 157: Introduction to Unix Courses

ASSIGNMENT DUE: see calendar on the web

Assignment Description:

Install Linux on a computer.

Goal:

The goal of this assignment is for students to learn about installing Linux.

Objectives:

• Learn where to get a copy of Linux.
  
• Install Linux on a Computer.
  
• Learn about Linux partitioning
• Learn about boot loaders and Dual-booting Linux with MS Windows.
• Learn about configuring the X Window System.
  

Expected Outcome:

• The student will have gotten a copy of Linux.
• Most Linux distributions can be purchased on CD rather cheaply from places like cheapbytes.com and edmunds enterprises. 
• They can be dowloaded for free (somewhat unrealistic without DSL and even with a broadband connection it can take a long time).  
• Also, with most distributions it is legal to for a friend to burn you a copy (Some distributions include proprietary software on their Linux cd's so that they can not be legally copied in whole, you should read copyright notices).
• Some stores like BestBuy sell some distributions like RedHat, SuSE and Mandrake.  Prices usually range from $40-$150 depending on the distribution and edition.  These "boxed sets" also include an installation manual and usually around 30 to 90 days of official company support.
  
• The student will have installed Linux on a computer (demo's that require the CD to run don't count).
• Students will have installed one of the following Linux Distributions
• Fedora (easy, my personal recommendation, different strokes for different folks though)
  
• RedHat Linux (easy)
• Slackware Linux
• Mandrake (easy)
• SuSE (easy)
• TurboLinux
• Debian
• Gentoo
  
• (If you want something added to this list let me know).
  
• Turn-In
• What Linux Distribution and version?
  
• Were you able to get X working?  Problems?  What did you try?
• Were you able to get your modem and/or ethernet working? WinModem?
• Problems with any other devices (mouse, keyboard, sound, etc)?
• How long did it take?
• How many attempts?
• Generic description of the computer you tried to install on (CPU, MB, RAM, video card, ethernet card, etc.):
• What did you like and/or not like about the installer?
• Are you able to dual-boot?  If so with what version of Windows?
  
• Any other details or comments (what bootloader?)
• Include output of the command dmesg
• typing dmesg > dmesg.txt will redirect the output of 'dmesg' to a text file named 'dmesg.txt'.
  
• Include output of the command cat /proc/pci
• typing cat /proc/pci > pci.txt will redirect the output of 'cat /proc/pci' to a text file named 'pci.txt'.
• Include output of the command cat /proc/version
• Include output of the command cat /proc/cpuinfo
• Include output of the command cat /proc/interrupts
• Include printout of your boot loaders configuration file
• If you used LILO the configuration file should be /etc/lilo.conf
• If you used Grub the configuration file should be /boot/grub/grub.conf
• If you used Windows NT or 2000's boot loader as the primary bootloader (ie: didn't install lilo or grub in the MBR) also print out C:\boot.ini (I don't know but Windows XP probably uses the same file.  Also, you will have to change the folder options to in order to see this file; select "show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "hide protected Operating Sytem files").
• If you used some other weird boot loader print out its configuration file (or if you can't find it tell me the name of the boot loader and that you couldn't find the config file).
  

• For full credit you need to get one working install.  For something to qualify as "working" you need to be able to at least log in and type some trivial commands (so it's okay if you can't get your ethernet or WinModem or X or something else working especially since some things might not be supported).  Also, sometimes Linux just doesn't want to install on some hardware, if you have a lot of trouble let me know and we can work something out so that you can complete this assignment.  Also, if you do have trouble you should try a couple of different distributions if you can't get the first one working.

• If you don't have a computer or don't want to accidently mess yours up?
• You can do your installations inside VMWare (a program that emulates a PC, free demo or $130 for academic license available online, (I also here CSCI students have access to Virtual PC as part of the Microsoft Licensing Agreement, similar to VMWare), or you can install on a friends extra computer.
  

• DO YOUR OWN WORK: It is okay if someone helps you do this assignment, at an install fest for instance, but it has to be "your" install. Two people in class can not install one copy of Linux and turn-in two printouts, it is very obvious when anyone tries this or when they try to doctor the printouts so that they look like they came from different computers, so be honest.
  

DISCLAIMER: