Linux Switchover Guide

Posted by Bharath

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Thus is basically a guide for all those pals who are planning to or already have switched over to Linux newly. I have not used other Operating Systems (OS) other than Linux and Windows so this guide would mostly be on a Windows perspective..

NOTE: This guide assumes that the reader already knows about and has some experience, in installing in general, an OS. This guide also assumes that you know what hardware your computer is made up of.

BEFORE YOU SWITCHOVER

Linux environment may not be very comfortable to you as you are used to windows. Linux uses different set of software, different GUI and different methods to perform a task. So, if you also want to get the services offered by Windows, it would be wise to do a dual-boot rather than removing Windows. And many Linux distributions come as a LiveCD so it is better to try it before installing it. This way one may avoid installing what he/she doesn’t actually want to install.

Next, be careful while partitioning before or during the install. Linux will be needing a separate partition and a different filesystem like ext3, ext2 etc. and CANNOT be installed in FAT32 or NTFS partitions used for windows. Though, Ubuntu has now brought a cool feature that lets you install it inside Windows while being in windows.

One of the most disappointing thing in most linux distros is that Windows users CANNOT USE EXE FILES. This is because the structures of how Windows and Linux are made are different.But with the help of some software, you can run EXE files. Open Source emulator [Ed's note: WINE is not an emulator.WINE is recursive acronym for WINE Is Not an Emulator] WINE is the most famous. There are also ones like Cedega and Crossover[Ed's note: Again, these are based on WINE code and aren't emulators].which are commercial ones.

There are three famous desktop environments in Linux that one can choose from — GNOME, KDE. and XFCE. They are both unique and different that a user may choose. If you have a confusion on choosing, choose any one and install an try them. Whichever, it is you got to get use to them before using them full fledged.

Linux distros may have little to lots of bugs in them. You will have to resist them if you definitely want to switchover. I am not in anyway discouraging but I would like to disclose a truth.

INSTALLING LINUX

This is the main part. A more comprehensive guide on Installing Linux could be found here and on the home page of this site. Do not do it in any kind of hurry or a bad mood. Do it everything with complete concentration. Be extremely careful when selecting partition an configuring main options.

YOU NEED TO HAVE:

*An installable Linux CD/DVD of any distro of your choice

*A partition fully empty and important data backed up

*Enough knowledge of what you have to do and what you are doing

And, as the basic step insert and boot from your CD/DVD like how you will do for any other OS install. If It is a Live CD/DVD (try to get one if you don’t have) you actually wok on a desktop and use the OS before even installing it! If you are dissatisfied or uncomfortable with it you can leave the Live CD desktop and reboot into your Hard Drive. No changes would have happened to whatever OS is already installed.

If you want to install just open the text or graphical installer and follow the on-screen install the OS. During the install process you don’t have to keep taping your legs on the floor in a Live CD. You can play a game, browse the internet or anything you will be doing on a desktop after your install.

AFTER THE INSTALL

There could be problems during your install. Most of them are easily solvable with a search on the Internet. Or you post them in respective forums and ask any knowledgeable person you know.After a successful installation and reboot you will see a new bootloader mostly will be GRUB. They are bootloaders for Linux and they are used to boot into Linux or Windows

First things first. Most of your drivers like sound driver, input device drivers etc. should be there automatically. Some of the drivers for certain devices like graphics cards for example, need commercial closed source drivers (also called restricted drivers, are provided by the manufacturers themselves) for full functionality of the device. Find out how to install and for what devices to install those drivers for, through an Internet search or asking a knowledgeable person. Now, restart if needed and they should work.

Next, you’ll have to install codecs for the more popular video and audio formats in case they are not provided with the installation medium due to legal restrictions.You can follow the guide here, to install them.

Install/Upgrade your necessary software for your specific purposes. They can be installed and/or upgraded through a package manager that comes with most distros. Most famous ones include YaST in OpenSUSE, Synaptic in Ubuntu, yum in fedora etc. Find out what software you need for what specific purpose. Most famous purposes and respective softwares include Firefox/Konqueror for web browsing, Pidgin/Kopete for Chatting, Open Office for office purposes, Brasero/K3b for cd burning, VLC/Totem/Kaffenine/Rhythmbox/banshee for multimedia etc and etc. Do not worry about any anti-virus stuff, Your Linux is already secure. Forget viruses spyware etc.

WINE, used to emulate run Windows applications, can be installed for the same purpose. It works well with a few application and available for most distros. The WINE website is http://winehq.org/ and a list of working and non-working software can be found in the WineAppDB in the site. Other commercial software like Cedega or Crossover can also be used at will.

Useful to mention, your Linux partition will not be visible under Windows. Don’t panic. This is happening because Windows doesn’t understand the file system, and so it did not mount (i.e. showing the contents of something inside a folder) it. You can check out my post on how you can access your Linux partitions under Windows.

Start customising and using your Linux. Change the wallpaper. Set your screen resolution. Try new GUI themes from Gnome Look, KDE Look and Xfce Look for the respective desktops. Start placing desktop icons and other shortcuts and all. The more you explore, you will find out that Linux not something very alien but is just another OS serving the same job in a different way

UNINSTALLING LINUX

If you want to uninstall Linux just format your Linux partition an you are done. But in case you are getting a GRUB error screen or something, just follow my guide here.

I have tried to make a guide that just orients a new user to Linux and provides him/her the instructions to start using Linux. If you think I need to add something or for a doubt do drop a comment or e-mail me. This guide will constantly be updated as soon as I receive anything to add. Thank you for reading my guide.