How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

mirchichamu · 2008-08-21 17:38:25

I wanted to install archlinux which I downloaded through bittorent (an iso file). It was around 290 MB file. But I found it is the most difficult of all distros. Upon booting I was taken to shell command which I don't know at all. I am not a computer professional. What is the easy way? Otherwise I will say goodbye to archlinux.

Last edited by mirchichamu (2008-08-21 17:41:19)

fwojciec · 2008-08-21 17:47:37

There is no easy way, if by easy way you mean GUIs and auto-configuration scripts. Not using those is the whole point of Arch, so if that doesn't suit you another distribution is going to be a better choice for you.

EDIT:
This explains what Arch is about.
This is an excellent guide that you'll definitely find helpful if you decide to give Arch a go anyways.

Last edited by fwojciec (2008-08-21 17:52:17)

mirchichamu · 2008-08-21 17:51:28

fwojciec wrote:

There is no easy way, if by easy way you mean GUIs and auto-configuration scripts. Not using those is the whole point of Arch, so if that doesn't suit you another distribution is going to be a better choice for you.

So it means that it is not for us newbies? Bye bye. Keep your distro with you. Thanks.

Denacke · 2008-08-21 17:52:23

Aye judging from your post archlinux might not be the ideal distribution for you

If you do however decide to go on, you can follow the beginners guide on the wiki to install archlinux.
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners_Guide

KimTjik · 2008-08-21 17:54:51

Can you tell us what you expected from Arch and why you decided to give it a try? It could be you misunderstood what Arch is and how it's designed.

The beauty of Linux is the abundance of choices, there's probably something for everyone. Thus it's a good thing that some, like Arch, don't try to be one size fits all.

Xyne · 2008-08-21 17:57:17

Did you read through the beginner's guide? http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginner%27s_Guide

That and the wiki were a lot of help when I installed Arch. Google often turns up good info on Arch too. If all else fails, you can ask specific questions in the IRC channel or here in the forum.

Also, keep this in mind:

Arch Linux is an independently developed i686/x86-64 optimized community distribution, based on a rolling-release package model and targeted at competent GNU/Linux users.

You don't need to be a "computer professional" to get Arch installed (I did it 5 days after I started using Linux (installed Ubuntu the first day), including LVM, i.e. non-standard install), but you do need to be prepared to read and learn a bit.

If you want everything done for you, Arch probably isn't for you.

mirchichamu · 2008-08-21 17:58:18

Denacke wrote:

Aye judging from your post archlinux might not be the ideal distribution for you
If you do however decide to go on, you can follow the beginners guide on the wiki to install archlinux.
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners_Guide

Thanks denacke for ur support.
I have gone through that but that is also the same shell commands which is beyond my abilities as computer novice. I will sort some other distro.

Xyne · 2008-08-21 18:01:10

mirchichamu wrote:

I have gone through that but that is also the same shell commands which is beyond my abilities as computer novice. I will sort some other distro.

Try Ubuntu, the installation process is easy and it's geared towards people who are new to Linux.

Then come back to Arch once you've been broken in.

mirchichamu · 2008-08-21 18:10:06

Xyne wrote:

mirchichamu wrote:
I have gone through that but that is also the same shell commands which is beyond my abilities as computer novice. I will sort some other distro.
Try Ubuntu, the installation process is easy and it's geared towards people who are new to Linux.
Then come back to Arch once you've been broken in.

Thanks Xyne again for ur support.
I have installed ubuntu ten times but it crashes and my laptop crashes after instaling ATI drivers. I posted my problem several times in ubuntu forums but nobody helped. I installed opensuse but also gave problem. I tried pclinuxos but not installed at all. I tried xubuntu, it installed but I could not access my other drives so I installed Gnome but my laptop again crashed and unable to open. I downloaded Mandriva but I think it was corrupted as well. I don't know what to do next.

fwojciec · 2008-08-21 18:13:33

mirchichamu wrote:

Xyne wrote:
mirchichamu wrote:
I have gone through that but that is also the same shell commands which is beyond my abilities as computer novice. I will sort some other distro.
Try Ubuntu, the installation process is easy and it's geared towards people who are new to Linux.
Then come back to Arch once you've been broken in.
Thanks Xyne again for ur support.
I have installed ubuntu ten times but it crashes and my laptop crashes after instaling ATI drivers. I posted my problem several times in ubuntu forums but nobody helped. I installed opensuse but also gave problem. I tried pclinuxos but not installed at all. I tried xubuntu, it installed but I could not access my other drives so I installed Gnome but my laptop again crashed and unable to open. I downloaded Mandriva but I think it was corrupted as well. I don't know what to do next.

LOL. That is one of the reason why Arch doesn't autoconfigure things. Yes, it's more difficult to do in Arch, but once you do it everything tends to work, and you also never have to worry about hardware compatibility issues, because you know how things really work (rather than knowing the quirks of a particular auto-configure regime).

EDIT: Also, Pardus might be a good distro to try -- everything I've read about it was overwhelmingly positive.

Last edited by fwojciec (2008-08-21 18:15:20)

mirchichamu · 2008-08-21 18:17:25

my problem is that i dont know all these commands for installation. if anybody teaches step by step i will be thankful.

fwojciec · 2008-08-21 18:21:45

mirchichamu wrote:

if anybody teaches step by step i will be thankful.

That's what the guide linked above does. Just follow it from top to bottom, and you should be fine. If you run into some difficulties that aren't covered in the guide just ask on the forum. That way you'll learn "all these commands" in no time. It doesn't really require any skill or specialist knowledge -- all you need is the ability to read, to use web searches, and some patience -- especially at first.

Last edited by fwojciec (2008-08-21 18:23:19)

Xyne · 2008-08-21 18:27:05

mirchichamu wrote:

my problem is that i dont know all these commands for installation. if anybody teaches step by step i will be thankful.

Most of the commands that you would need are in the wiki. Take a look at this section of the beginner's guide: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beg … stallation

Yeah, it's a lot to read, but it's not difficult if you follow it. The extra time that it takes you will be worth the knowledge that you get from doing it. Right away you learn a little about disk partitioning for example.

Don't fear the command line... it's a better friend than most GUI's will ever be. It's just scary the first time you dive in, but after a few "oh wtf, how do I do that now? @#$% #%&* @%^& command line &$$^*" moments, you'll find clarity.

mirchichamu · 2008-08-21 18:28:29

fwojciec wrote:

mirchichamu wrote:
if anybody teaches step by step i will be thankful.
That's what the guide linked above does. Just follow it from top to bottom, and you should be fine. If you run into some difficulties that aren't covered in the guide just ask on the forum. That way you'll learn "all these commands" in no time. It doesn't really require any skill or specialist knowledge -- all you need is the ability to read, to use web searches, and some patience -- especially at first.

Thanks once again.
The very first shell command appeared was Grub. I put /arch/setup many times which is written in guide but it replied wrong command. I am fed up really. It is not that simple.

fwojciec · 2008-08-21 18:36:27

/arch/setup only works from install cd. Are you trying to run it from an already installed system?

mirchichamu · 2008-08-21 18:40:31

Yes I am having dual boot. I am having windows already installed. I want to retain it.

.:B:. · 2008-08-21 18:43:27

If tons of distros are failing on you, I'd first check your hardware and then try again.

Also, burnt ISOs should be checked for integrity before you try to install from them. Did you do that?

You cannot install Arch from Windows, if Windows runs fine, why not install Ubuntu from within Windows with Wubi?

Last edited by B (2008-08-21 18:44:05)

SiC · 2008-08-21 18:46:06

It does seem that you really want to get a working GNU/Linux distribution, when I first started with it, I was a student at high school (circa 1994), and there WERE no easy to use distributions, everything was a hard slog to get working. Arch is quite simple once you work your way around it the first time, unfortunately however, it does require you to become a little familiar with the terminal and the commands available from it.

The fundamental difference is that you need to type your commands rather than just clicking on something to get it to work as in windows. There are downsides compared to ubuntu, but you will quickly find, that if you try to get it working, then once you have mastered it, the rest will come easily.

On the other hand, you could try one of the other distributions, Ubuntu is generally considered pretty good for most new users, but if you have had problems with it, then it might be worth trying Fedora, again it is very easy to use and configure. However you will likely find that there will always be something that you stumble with on any easy to use distribution unless you understand the fundamentals of how the operating system works. This is something that a distribution such as Arch will teach you, in spades.

The most important thing though is to not let yourself get intimidated. It is quite easy to just look at the wiki for example, and think to yourself that you are not capable of understanding or following the instructions, in some respects you don't need to understand them now, that will come later, but if you think you can follow the instructions, even if it means printing the pages out so that you have a hard copy that you can follow then it is worth doing, and you will find yourself with a feeling of accomplishment at the end that you would not get if you got Ubuntu or Fedora working.

Xyne · 2008-08-21 18:47:13

mirchichamu wrote:

Thanks once again.
The very first shell command appeared was Grub. I put /arch/setup many times which is written in guide but it replied wrong command. I am fed up really. It is not that simple.

Have a look at this: http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-to-I … 9239.shtml

mirchichamu · 2008-08-21 18:49:10

B wrote:

If tons of distros are failing on you, I'd first check your hardware and then try again.
Also, burnt ISOs should be checked for integrity before you try to install from them. Did you do that?
You cannot install Arch from Windows, if Windows runs fine, why not install Ubuntu from within Windows with Wubi?

Thanks B for ur interest to help me.
How to check for integrity? My laptop is Fujitsu-Siemens 1.7 centrino 512 RAM, 80 GB HDD, ATI mobility Radeon.
How to install from within windows with Wubi?
I am booting from archlinux bootable CD which I downloaded and not from windows.

Last edited by mirchichamu (2008-08-21 18:51:12)

Inxsible · 2008-08-21 18:50:20

The fact that you already got to the command line means that you installed Arch, no?

What you now need to do is install a Window Manager or Desktop Environment (more likely)-

try installing Gnome or KDE and once you have done that, you would be able to log into GUI after rebooting.

If you like Gnome, try this command to get a GUI up and running.

pacman -Syu gnome

Of course this means that I am assuming that when you say you are at the command line, you already have done everything thats mentioned on the Beginners Guide - that so many have provided the link for.

Inxsible · 2008-08-21 18:51:39

mirchichamu wrote:

B wrote:
If tons of distros are failing on you, I'd first check your hardware and then try again.
Also, burnt ISOs should be checked for integrity before you try to install from them. Did you do that?
You cannot install Arch from Windows, if Windows runs fine, why not install Ubuntu from within Windows with Wubi?
Thanks B for ur interest to help me.
How to check for integrity? My laptop is Fujitsu-Siemens 1.7 centrino 512 RAM, 80 GB HDD, ATI mobility Radeon.
How to install from within windows with Wubi?

Wubi is something that is unique to Ubuntu (afaik)

Are you trying to install Ubuntu or Arch?

mirchichamu · 2008-08-21 18:56:10

Inxsible wrote:

The fact that you already got to the command line means that you installed Arch, no?
What you now need to do is install a Window Manager or Desktop Environment (more likely)-
try installing Gnome or KDE and once you have done that, you would be able to log into GUI after rebooting.
If you like Gnome, try this command to get a GUI up and running.
pacman -Syu gnome
Of course this means that I am assuming that when you say you are at the command line, you already have done everything thats mentioned on the Beginners Guide - that so many have provided the link for.

No Sir. The very first screen which appeared was command screen As....... Grub>-
when I put a command /arch/setup, it was refused as no "such command".

Xyne · 2008-08-21 18:57:17

Inxsible wrote:

The fact that you already got to the command line means that you installed Arch, no?

He's using the install cd (which is a live cd), so he doesn't have Arch installed yet.

Moo-Crumpus · 2008-08-21 18:57:38

After booting, use the first of the grub menue's entries. Login as root, without any password, as adviced on the screen. Type /arch/setup [Enter] then. Follow each step, from top to bottom. Follow the guide. In doubt, ask questions.

But, to be honest, if installing archlinux seems to be so difficult to you, I doubt, if, right now, it really is the stuff you will like on the long run. Archlinux is a distro that gives you the power to design your os in details to fit your needs. There is no 'standard' way. That is the idea of archlinux. Therefore, you will need to know what you are doing. You will hardly see a kind of wizard asking you to decide if something should be done this or that way, and do the things for you.

Finally, archlinux is brilliant. Try it, fail, learn, do it better the next time, and proceed. If you will, you will learn quick. And, as ther are no standards, you will only learn to know things you *really* need to know.

Arch Linux

#1 2008-08-21 17:38:25

How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#2 2008-08-21 17:47:37

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#3 2008-08-21 17:51:28

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#4 2008-08-21 17:52:23

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#5 2008-08-21 17:54:51

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#6 2008-08-21 17:57:17

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#7 2008-08-21 17:58:18

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#8 2008-08-21 18:01:10

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#9 2008-08-21 18:10:06

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#10 2008-08-21 18:13:33

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#11 2008-08-21 18:17:25

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

#12 2008-08-21 18:21:45

Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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Re: How to install archlinux? Very difficult? Why?

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