General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

Alxe · 2009-01-24 00:35:43

Let's do this quick so I can get Arch

1.) I use Ubuntu, for now. Should I back up anything? Like configuration files, etc
2.) Can anyone give me a guide on how to format a HD from Windows or Linux? Or can I do from the LiveCD before installing Arch? I want to erase the /deb/sdb/ content and format it.
3.) Differences about a fresh install between Ubuntu and Arch? Aside of programs or so, do I have to install firefox and "basic" things manually?
4.) There's any difference of using a 64-bit system instead of a 32-bit? (I'm downloading the 64-bit version, for my PC, which has 8GB of RAM, way some more than 32-bits standard.)
5.) If I needed to install most of programs... how would I do so? With Pacman, yes, but from command-line, or graphically?
6.) Talking about installing: Does Arch has a "Install or Remove..." place where you can do so like in Ubuntu? Or do I have to use Pacman and install them like in Synaptic?
7.) Does Arch install drivers like Ubuntu?
8.) There's any "extra step" on the installation progress? I suppose selecting default desktop choice, etc, but aside of so.

You DON'T have to answer all the questions, but I would be really happy if you all did, even bit by bit.

If I have more questions, I'll put them in this thread
Many thanks again :D

mianka · 2009-01-24 00:46:21

Go to the wiki: there is a very good beginners guide that answers most of your questions. See top of this page.

SamC · 2009-01-24 00:46:27

edit: Basically, what mianka said.

1) Yes.
2) You can do it from the liveCD
3) Yes, you need to install everything... Read the beginner's guide.
4) At this point, not really, and if you want to use that much ram, you'll need x86_64.
5) It's from the command line, but there are graphical wrappers for pacman available.
6) Again, you have pacman.
7) This is Arch. You install the drivers.
8) Well, there's the step of installing the programs you want.

In general, the install process for Arch is very different from that for Ubuntu. A newly-installed Arch system is very basic, without even a graphical environment installed. I recommend, again, you look on the wiki for both the beginners guide and information about "The Arch Way".

Last edited by SamC (2009-01-24 00:47:59)

Alxe · 2009-01-24 00:52:53

Thank both of you I shall read the guide as you two said. Image download, ready to burn it.

Ranguvar · 2009-01-24 02:41:14

A note on question 1: I recommend you don't back up any configs Default Arch configs will likely be much more KISS, and you learn a lot setting up everything manually.

Good luck to you, and enjoy!

Alxe · 2009-01-24 11:06:02

I was going to ask "What configuration files should I backup···?" But it's better if's there is a config wizard on the instalation

arch_nemesis · 2009-01-24 11:14:35

I was going to ask "What configuration files should I backup···?" But it's better if's there is a config wizard on the instalation

Just to be clear, there is NO config wizard. I'm pretty new to Arch, and not so experienced in Linux myself, so let me warn you -- Expect searching these forums and using the wiki to be a big part of installing and setting up Arch. It's not that it's hard, but what it's also not is automatic.

For example, you will come to a section near the end of the beginner's guide where it explicitly tells you what config files to ensure you check/edit before moving on. (Don't skip setting your locale in this section, as I somehow did the first time, and as many apparently do.)

I suggest that if possible you follow the wiki procedure on another computer while installing, which gives you the benefit of being able to post if you run into problems, or if a section is not clear to you. If that's not possible, at least print the beginner's guide from the wiki.

If you follow the beginner's guide faithfully, you will almost certainly wind up with a properly functioning system -- then you can get help here (and from the wiki) tailoring it to your tastes.

Last edited by arch_nemesis (2009-01-24 11:15:08)

Alxe · 2009-01-24 11:21:21

Oh, okay, anyways manually might be harder, yet safer and you learn just by reading; I want to learn so..

Xyne · 2009-01-24 11:39:30

Welcome to the forum, Alxe.

1.) I use Ubuntu, for now. Should I back up anything? Like configuration files, etc
Probably not... maybe xorg.conf and some other main configs so that you can use them as templates later on to get the right settings for your system.

2.) Can anyone give me a guide on how to format a HD from Windows or Linux? Or can I do from the LiveCD before installing Arch? I want to erase the /deb/sdb/ content and format it.
You can do that from the live CD. The Beginners Guide makes this quite clear.

3.) Differences about a fresh install between Ubuntu and Arch? Aside of programs or so, do I have to install firefox and "basic" things manually?
If you don't know this, why do you even want to install Arch to begin with?

4.) There's any difference of using a 64-bit system instead of a 32-bit? (I'm downloading the 64-bit version, for my PC, which has 8GB of RAM, way some more than 32-bits standard.)
You'll find the forum search at the top right. You can use it to find a good number of threads that deal with the 64vs32 debate.

5.) If I needed to install most of programs... how would I do so? With Pacman, yes, but from command-line, or graphically?
CLI: pacman, GUI: shaman

6.) Talking about installing: Does Arch has a "Install or Remove..." place where you can do so like in Ubuntu? Or do I have to use Pacman and install them like in Synaptic?
I don't know what you mean.

7.) Does Arch install drivers like Ubuntu?
Arch isn't Ubuntu, so probably not.

8.) There's any "extra step" on the installation progress? I suppose selecting default desktop choice, etc, but aside of so.
The "extra steps" are the steps that you take to build your system on top of the base system. That includes everything beyond the minimalistic base install that the setup provides you. You'll need to install and configure xorg if you want any gui environment, then you'll need to install your desktop environment (or build your own using a preferred WM and various apps), etc.

There's a simple hardware config "wizard" in the setup, but that will only configure some very basic things for you, so don't expect it to spit out a ready-to-go desktop machine once the setup is done.

Why do you want to try Arch btw? The impression of your first post is that you're not really familiar with the basic philosophy or details of Arch. If you want to enjoy the experience, you'll need to be willing to do your own research and try to find solutions on your own before asking others. I think you could have easily found the answer to most of your questions if you had just spent a little time looking for them. Don't take this the wrong way though. I hope that you get your Arch system up and running as you want it and that you like it enough to stick with it. I just think you should know what to expect.

Alxe · 2009-01-24 11:49:45

The "why", uh? Well, as most users, other distros install unnecesary packages that you don't even know what they are for. Also, I came to Linux for two Reasons: Say bye to windows, and learn. Arch lets you learn. And I ask differences between distros because I'm just a novice with this things, and I panic (Even if they wiki says the opposite) with a mere strange sound for my ear

Thank you for resolving more of my questions,. a bit more of information is always neccesary. I always like to research by myself, I just wen asking because I don't have Arch yet on the comp, and it may be much harder when I can't use it···

Xyne · 2009-01-24 12:08:47

So you're here for the same reasons that I am.
Btw, I wouldn't say "Arch lets you learn", I would say "Arch makes you learn".

Sorry if my first reply was a bit indifferent. Sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference between someone who's just too lazy to do their own research (do a forum search for "help vampires", this comes up more and more lately) and someone who's just making extra sure that they have all the info they need before taking a big step (as in your case, as I now understand it). I think you'll be fine and I hope your installation goes smoothly.

Buena suerte con Arch!

Last edited by Xyne (2009-01-24 12:09:36)

Alxe · 2009-01-24 12:33:54

Yes. The worst thing may be partitions: I alredy have installed Ubuntu there··· and my thing is not formatting, also not familiar with the LiveCD of Arch, soo·····

MoonSwan · 2009-01-24 23:07:53

Use Gparted or Parted Magic (I recommend the latter for newbies). Its simpler to use than Arch's installer for partitioning, in that it gives you a great graphical environment to work with and a lot of help. Afterward boot the arch cd, and instead of partitioning with the arch installer, just use it to set up the mount points. From there install arch using its script installer as normal.

pyther · 2009-01-24 23:24:44

Alxe wrote:

Yes. The worst thing may be partitions: I alredy have installed Ubuntu there··· and my thing is not formatting, also not familiar with the LiveCD of Arch, soo·····

You need to describe your problem a bit better! What is happening? What isn't working?
And partition using the arch live cd if you can't figure that much out, arch probably isn't for you. Don't use some gui tool!

Alxe · 2009-01-24 23:41:25

pyther wrote:

Alxe wrote:
Yes. The worst thing may be partitions: I alredy have installed Ubuntu there··· and my thing is not formatting, also not familiar with the LiveCD of Arch, soo·····
You need to describe your problem a bit better! What is happening? What isn't working?
And partition using the arch live cd if you can't figure that much out, arch probably isn't for you. Don't use some gui tool!

I meant that I never handled partitions so well, it's kinda weird, but everyone HAS to do it. I'll use GParted and prepare the partitions, when Arch's installed, I'll delete Ubuntu···

pyther · 2009-01-25 00:14:30

Try to use the arch installer. It uses cfdisk, which is very simply to use.

With cfdisk there will be a button that will say New. Select the button and then select Primary. You are able to have 4 primary partitions. If you want more you will have use logical partitions after 3 primary partitions. Enter the size of the partition in megabytes or gigabytes. For the later you need to enter something like 5GB.

I generally like to make two partitions, a / (root) partition and a /home partition. Usually I will make my / (root) partition about 20GB. Some people like to also create a swap partition. I personally like to setup swap later with a swap file. If you do setup a swap partition make sure after creating the partition go to type. By default it will have the number that corresponds with swap.

Once your done select write, to save the changes. Then continue on with the installation

Hope this helps, if you have questions feel free to ask!

Ranguvar · 2009-01-25 00:18:50

If you don't need to resize or move partitions, cfdisk is easy and good, but parted (the CLI solution for that) I've never gotten used to... I just boot SystemRescueCd and partition with GParted first. w/e.

Alxe · 2009-01-25 00:25:03

What I'd like, is to "unninstall" Ubuntu on the same way of installing Arch. I would like to make it the whole HD, it is a kinda big one (Around 1/2 TB)···

Currently, I'm writtin on the laptop (Windows, blerg), while running the Arch Installer on the Desktop: I have a little problem; when I boot from CD it starts with grub command line, and I don't know what to do then. I've been looking for guides, some saying that I have to login as root, so I tried the root command to do so; complete failure, even after several tries. Any help?

pyther · 2009-01-25 00:28:50

What cd iso are you using? IIRC you should have a grub bootloader screen not a prompt so it sounds like there was bad burn or download.

Did you verify the iso against the md5sums?

If you need to redownload give the archboot cds a try: ftp://ftp.archlinux.org/iso/archboot/2008.12/ but do use a different mirror.

As for deleting ubuntu you can do that with cfdisk. There will be an option to delete partitions I'm sure you'll figure it out.

Ranguvar · 2009-01-25 00:33:13

Are you sure you're in GRUB? If so, you never made it to the CD. Either the burn was bad or your hard drive is in a higher boot priority in the BIOS than the CD drive.

Alxe · 2009-01-25 09:41:11

It's not the GRUB where you choose what OS start, is a simple command-line I'll download it again by HTTP instead of BT.

Edit: I did check the md5sum: It's the same; so I suppose it is not a error in the iso, or the burning process.
By the way, should I move this conversation to the Instalation Issues by now, or there's no need on starting a new thread?

Last edited by Alxe (2009-01-25 10:23:34)

arch_nemesis · 2009-01-25 13:33:46

This sentence has me a little bit confused:

"Currently, I'm writtin on the laptop (Windows, blerg), while running the Arch Installer on the Desktop:"

From your other posts it sounds like you know this, but you *do* understand that you dont/cant run the installer from within windows, right?

Also,:

It's not the GRUB where you choose what OS start, is a simple command-line

This sounds like maybe what you SHOULD be getting to me, especially if you happened to look away at the beginning.

Here's the first three steps running in virtualbox on my laptop.

If you pick the first option, or do nothing and wait long enough, you should get this:

Then just type root and hit enter and you get this:

By which time you should have your finger sitting on the right line in the Beginner's Guide, and be moving on from there.

Alxe · 2009-01-25 13:42:56

I couldn't even get to your first step. I'll take a Photo of what it looks to me. This is, of course, if the new burnt Arch still doesn't load.

Edit: Here are the Photos, I don't know

Thanks a lot for helping me out···

Last edited by Alxe (2009-01-25 14:00:46)

Ranguvar · 2009-01-25 20:54:20

What I said - I doubt you're making it into the CD. Did you already wipe Ubuntu off the drive? If so, that makes sense - GRUB is still installed, but there's no config files for it, so it's just a grub prompt. So, the core problem is that your BIOS is set to boot from hard drive first. Check it regaurdless, and make sure CD is set above hard drive boot. Worst case, the computer may not be waiting long enough on the CD. Try removing the hard drive boot option altogether, or some PCs let you choose the boot device specifically at boot... basically, make sure you're booting into the CD.

Alxe · 2009-01-25 21:33:59

Ubuntu is still intact, I could try removing GRUB from there, but I'm afraid I won't be able to log. Or maybe I will be able to, setting the BIOS to start from the first hard drive. Currently I took testing stage with VirtualBox and it looks good, I can manage with it, and I'm not afraid because it's just "Virtual".

Arch Linux

#1 2009-01-24 00:35:43

General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#2 2009-01-24 00:46:21

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#3 2009-01-24 00:46:27

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#4 2009-01-24 00:52:53

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#5 2009-01-24 02:41:14

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#6 2009-01-24 11:06:02

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#7 2009-01-24 11:14:35

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#8 2009-01-24 11:21:21

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#9 2009-01-24 11:39:30

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#10 2009-01-24 11:49:45

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#11 2009-01-24 12:08:47

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#12 2009-01-24 12:33:54

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#13 2009-01-24 23:07:53

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#14 2009-01-24 23:24:44

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#15 2009-01-24 23:41:25

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

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#19 2009-01-25 00:28:50

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#20 2009-01-25 00:33:13

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#21 2009-01-25 09:41:11

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#22 2009-01-25 13:33:46

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#23 2009-01-25 13:42:56

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#24 2009-01-25 20:54:20

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

#25 2009-01-25 21:33:59

Re: General Questions of Fresh Instalation and Format of HD···

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