How to Build Your Own PC - Save A Buck And Learn A Lot

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Problems with Driver CDs[/SIZE]

It’s important to realize that sometimes a CD with drivers won’t run as desired. For example, the ViewSonic CD didn’t work for us. Sometimes, double clicking on the CD drive letter will start the CD and it will run then. Sometimes, it still won’t run, but, possibly, the drivers are on the CD and fully usable. Using Device Manager to find the device and then selecting its properties and using the “Update Driver” to start the Windows Hardware Update Wizard will find and successfully install the drivers from the CD. ​

If you have difficulty installing a driver, try the various approaches: First, just try to run the CD that came with the hardware. Insert the CD and wait. If it doesn’t autorun, double click on the CD drive letter and see what happens. Maybe, it will run and install the driver.

[SIZE=+2]Getting a New Driver from the Manufacturer’s Website[/SIZE]

Second, examine the manufacturer’s website for a new driver and run that program instead. Be sure to save all your downloaded driver files or updates to a CD. Also, I think it helps to create a text file on your backup CD that describes the file and its purpose. For example, we downloaded the file vs-winXP.exe. We might add some text such as: ​

“vs-winXP.exe. Downloaded from viewsonic.com. This file installs the monitor information for the ViewSonic A70f+ monitor in Windows XP. Just double click on the file vs-winXP.exe and it will install the monitor information. After doing that under Device Manager... Monitor, we’ll see the A70f+ is recognized.” ​

You’ll appreciate these notes to yourself if you need to repeat the same procedure several years later. ​

Third, find the device in Device Manager and use the Hardware Update Wizard by selecting “Update Driver” to add the driver for the device. If it won’t automatically find the driver, and you have a CD or know the location where you’ve saved the downloaded driver files, select “Install from a list or specific location” and try running “Update Driver” again. ​

Fourth, sometimes running Windows Update will find a better driver for the device. ​

Windows offers a neat feature that allows new drivers to be “rolled back” which essentially uninstalls them and goes back to using the previous driver the device was using. That could be handy, if you find a new driver doesn’t work properly with your system. ​

[SIZE=+2]Using Safe Mode to Deal with Driver Issues[/SIZE]

You can start the operating system in “Safe Mode” which will disable unnecessary drivers. Then, using Device Manager, you can remove the offending driver and make whatever changes are necessary to your system. Safe mode uses a very safe, generic video driver. To start in “Safe Mode,” press F8 during the boot up of Windows. ​

​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]CD Burning Software[/SIZE]

Another important set of programs is used for the CD-RW and DVD drives. We’ll run the CD that comes with the Verbatim CD-RW. It installs software to burn CDs as well as a manual to help us understand the burning software. ​

Your CD-RW will come with its own software to burn CDs. If you purchase a CD-RW on eBay and don’t get any disks, search for your CD-RW model online with google.com and see what burning software typically comes with it. Then, find the manufacturer’s site and download this burning software and the drivers. You might also want to see if there are updated drivers online, even if your drive came with drivers. ​

After installing the InCD and Nero 5.5 software for the Verbatim CD-RW, we find that InCD works nicely, but Nero 5.5 won’t burn CDs. When run, Nero ​

5.5 doesn’t seem to recognize the Verbatim CD-RW. (Yes, I know, Nero came with the CD-RW. So, you might think it should work!) Reading the help that was installed with Nero, we learn that if a CD or DVD drive isn’t recognized, it might be a newer drive. It’s suggested we go to nero.com and update our

Nero software which should recognize the newer drives. ​

We go to nero.com and get the update for Nero 5.5 and install it. Now the Verbatim CD-RW and Nero play nicely together. InCD and Nero are actually a wonderful software package for such a low-priced drive. ​

Sometimes when software isn’t working properly with a new system, software updates can be found at the manufacturer’s website that will correct the problem.


[SIZE=+2]Backing Up Windows XP[/SIZE]

If you’ve installed all Windows System Tools (under Programs....Accessories) onto your PC and you’re familiar with Windows 98, you might be surprised to see Windows BackUp, which is a program to back up your computer, missing. ​

Basically, BackUp can backup your entire C: or D: drive into a smaller compressed file. That file can then be restored if necessary using the program BackUp. ​

A small 2 GB logical drive will occupy less than 2 GB if you choose the compression option. Our new C: drive with Windows XP installed took 1.07 GB when backed up. ​

With DVD recordable drives holding 4.7 GB, you can back up your entire newly-installed Windows XP system onto a DVD. Another option is to install a second, low-cost hard drive and back up to that drive. That way if your main hard drive fails, you can restore from the secondary hard drive. And, a 40 GB hard drive might only cost $40. The probability of both hard drives failing at the same time is very small. ​

With Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft wanted to stop providing a backup utility. Many people complained and mumbled “Linux.” Microsoft compromised and decided to hide the backup utility on the Windows CD. You need to open the CD and look in the “ValueAdd” folder (seems it should be called the “ValueRemove” folder) to find a file called “NTBACKUP.” Double click on that and it will install BackUp onto your PC. ​

Microsoft Professional XP comes with a more complete version of Backup. However, considering the price differential between the Professional and the Home Edition, I think most home users will do well with XP Home Edition. (A dual processor board is one of the few reasons I’d recommend XP Professional). ​

If you’re not familiar with BackUp or backing up your system in general, I highly recommend that you begin backing up your important data regularly. You don’t want to lose your crucial files. ​

If you’re new to BackUp, try this as a simple test: Create a small test folder and place some stuff in it. Run BackUp and choose to only back up that selected folder. Save the backup file somewhere (for the test, it can be on the same hard drive). Then, delete the original file and run backup again to restore the

deleted folder. You’ll see your folder is safely restored. That will be a confidence builder if your system ever fails and it occurs to you that you’ve never actually seen BackUp restore successfully! ​

You can also run BackUp over a home network, backing up the C: drives of all your other PCs. For example, maybe you have another PC running Windows 98. This is helpful because your original

Windows 98 CD contained a very un-updated version, whereas a complete current backup will provide all the updates to your Windows operating system. And, if your old system only has a CD-RW, but your new system has a DVD, you’ll be able to back up your entire operating system. ​

If you only backup your personal files and the hard disk fries, you’ll need to install Windows from the CD, then redo all the Windows updates, which assumes they remain available. You’ll also need to reinstall all drivers and updates for your other program files. ​

Some programs such as Norton Ghost make duplicating the contents of a hard drive easier. These programs tend to deal with hidden files and system settings better. ​

​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Restore Points[/SIZE]

Microsoft added a great feature with XP, by allowing users to create "Restore Points" giving you the option of reverting to a previous version of your operating system. Before you install new software, you might want to create a Restore Point. That way if the new software causes problems, you can revert to the operating system before the changes were made.


[SIZE=+2]Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System

(Linux And Windows XP)[/SIZE]

This chapter assumes you want to install Windows XP and Red Hat Linux 9 on the same hard drive so that you can conveniently run either operating system. Installing two operating systems on one hard drive so that you can run either operating system is called dual booting. You can also do three boot systems, such as Windows XP, Windows 98, and Linux. ​

Quick navigation to subsections and regular topics in this section

• Overview of Dual Boot Setup
• Installing Linux
• Dual Booting and Configuring Linux
• Linux Installation Summary
• Working With and Modifying the GRUB Bootloader
• More Information on Linux and UNIX

[SIZE=+2]Overview of Dual Boot Setup[/SIZE]

Here's an overview of how we are going to reach our goal of a functional, dual boot Windows XP / Linux system. There are four basic steps:​

1. Install Windows XP: See the preceding chapters on installing Windows XP. When you partition your hard drive using the XP setup program, you'll want to leave some unpartitioned space. This unpartitioned space can be used to install a Linux partition. Be sure to plan ahead how much disk space you want to allocate to Windows XP and how much for Linux.
2. Backup any valuable data from your Windows system: This isn't important if you've freshly installed Windows. But, if you've worked with Windows for awhile before deciding to dual boot, you should backup your important files. Before adding another operating system or partitioning a disk, always backup your important data.
3. Make a bootable Linux disk: If your system won't boot from a CD, you might need to make a bootable Linux floppy disk to start the installation process. If you were able to boot from the Windows XP CD, this means your system will boot from a CD. You can change your system's BIOS settings to allow the system to boot from the CD instead of making a bootable floppy.
4. Perform the Linux installation from its CD: It will recognize that Windows XP is already installed and offer you the option of keeping it and adding Linux also.

​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Setting the PC to Boot the Linux CD[/SIZE]

You might find that after installing Windows onto your hard drive that if you put a bootable CD in the tray, the system will start up from the hard drive and not from the CD. This probably means that your system can boot from the CD, but the order that the computer uses to find a bootable operating system is: First, floppy drive; Second, hard drive; Third, CD drive. This information is set by the system’s BIOS. Because BIOS finds a bootable operating system on the hard drive, it runs that operating system. So, it doesn’t need to look at the CD at all. ​

We want to run Linux installer from its CD while a bootable XP system is already on the PC, so we’ll enter our system’s BIOS setup and change the boot order so that the system first looks for a bootable system from the CD and then from the hard drive (Figure 162). Or, you could just make a bootable Linux floppy and treat the install as if your system couldn’t boot from a CD. ​

Figure 162: BIOS setup
During startup, we enter BIOS setup. See your mainboard manual to determine which key brings up BIOS during startup. We moved the CD drive above the hard drive in the boot order. This means the system will first look for a bootable CD before trying to boot from the hard drive. This is important because we already have a
bootable operating system on the hard drive, but we wish to boot from the CD drive. Exit and save the changes.​

Your mainboard manual should tell you which key to press as the system starts up to enter BIOS. Remember, changes to BIOS are important and should only be made when you understand what you’re doing and when the change is necessary. ​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Beginning Installation[/SIZE]

Assuming your PC boots from the CD, insert CD 1 from the Red Hat Linux set into the CD drive and restart your system. A Red Hat install screen appears (Figure 163). Hit “Enter” to install in graphical mode. ​

Figure 163: Red Hat welcome screen
Press “ENTER” to continue the graphical installation.​

A bunch of text will scroll by (Figure 164), and it might appear your system is hung. But, it’s probably just working away behind the scenes. ​

Figure 164: Scrolling text
Whenever Linux boots or reboots, you’ll see a screen of scrolling text.
Sometimes, it might appear that the system has frozen. Just be patient, and it will
continue. For example, it might take awhile to search for a network connection.​

The first screen of the install process allows the single option of hitting “Next” (Figure 165). ​

Figure 165: Another welcome screen
Hit ‘Next.”​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Language Selection[/SIZE]

The next screen shows language options. Select “English” (Figure 166). ​

Figure 166: Language selection
Choose your language.​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Selecting the Keyboard and Mouse[/SIZE]

Be sure to select “English” for the keyboard options also (Figure 167). ​

Figure 167: Keyboard configuration
Choose U.S. keyboard and hit “Next.”​

The next screen asks you to select your mouse (Figure 168). ​

Figure 168: Mouse configuration
Your mouse should be selected.​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Selecting the Installation Type[/SIZE]

Next up is the “Installation Type” screen, in which you’ll choose “Personal Desktop” (Figure 169). For learning Linux, a standard workstation setup is best. Later, if you want, you can set up Linux as a server or experiment with other setup options. ​

Figure 169: Installation Type
Select “Personal Desktop” as the installation type.​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Choosing the Linux Partition Creation Method[/SIZE]

Now, you’ll be asked to partition your drive (Figure 170). There are two methods: you can have your system automatically partition your drive, or you can do it manually. We’ll do it automatically. ​

Figure 170: Selecting the partitioning method
Select “Automatically Partition.” Don’t worry. This step won’t wipe out your existing operating system.​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Automatic Partitioning[/SIZE]

The next screen (Figure 171) shows the option of removing all Linux partitions. There are no Linux partitions on this hard drive yet. It won’t find any to remove, but that’s OK. Be sure not to remove all partitions. You want to keep the non-Linux partition on which Windows XP is installed. That is your NTFS formatted partition. ​

Figure 171: Removing Linux partitions
Choose to remove all Linux partitions. Don’t remove non-Linux partitions, because we wish to keep Windows XP installed also.​

A popup box will ask you to confirm your decision. Click “Yes” to remove any Linux partitions (Figure 172). ​

Figure 172: Confirming partition removal
Confirm that you wish to remove all Linux partitions.​

If a warning message appears saying the boot partition /boot may not meet booting constraints, hit “OK.” ​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Choosing a Default Operating System[/SIZE]

The next dialog box will ask you to choose a default operating system to be loaded by the Linux boot loader (GRUB) as shown in Figure 173. Select “DOS” as the default. This will mean that Windows XP will become the default operating system to boot, unless a conscious choice is made to boot to Linux instead. ​

Figure 173: Boot loader configuration
Under the default checkbox, Linux is selected. This means that when the system boots up, after a short while Linux will boot as the default operating system. If other users, who are familiar with Windows, but not Linux, will be using this PC, be sure to select DOS, which is Windows XP, as the default operating system to boot.​

Selecting Windows as the default usually makes sense if anybody not familiar with Linux must use your computer. ​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Firewall Configuration[/SIZE]

Next, is a firewall configuration dialog. Choose a high level of protection (Figure 174). Firewalls help prevent hackers from getting into your computer. ​

Figure 174: Firewall configuration
Choose “High” as firewall security.​

 

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[SIZE=+2]Language Option Configuration[/SIZE]

The next dialog box asks us to set up language options (Figure 175). ​

Figure 175: Additional language support
“English” should be selected as the default. Hit “Next.”​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Time Zone Setup[/SIZE]

The dialog after that sets up your time zone information (Figure 176). ​

Figure 176: Time zone
Select your time zone from the list or by clicking on the map.​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Setting Up the Root Password[/SIZE]

Next, you’ll be asked to choose a password for “root” (Figure 177). In Linux, root is the supreme commander of the operating system. Logging in as “root” allows you to modify the operating system. As a general rule, you should only log in as the root user when it’s necessary for administrating your computer. For general Linux use, log in as a normal user. That helps prevent you from inadvertently modifying your system. ​

Figure 177: Selecting a password for “root”
You’ll login as “root” when you wish to modify your Linux operating system.​

You’ll have the opportunity to create regular user accounts later. Be sure to write down or remember your root password. You must enter it twice to confirm it. ​

As soon as you start typing, a message that the passwords don’t match appears. Don’t let this throw you. You haven’t had a chance to enter anything into the second password box yet! Eventually, you’ll get those suckers to match! Linux is case sensitive. ​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Installing Packages[/SIZE]

The next dialog gives you options for packages to install. Accept the default packages (Figure 178). When first becoming familiar with Linux, a standard install will offer plenty of opportunities to familiarize yourself with Linux. ​

Figure 178: Package selection
Accept the default packages. Hit “Next.”​

 

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[SIZE=+2]Copying Files from the CDs[/SIZE]

Now, the install process can begin (Figure 179 and Figure 180). Change CDs as requested. Files will be copied to your drive. ​

Figure 179: Beginning the install
Hit “Next” when that’s the only option!​

Figure 180: Installation in progress
Progress bars will show the installation progress. You might want to go do something else for awhile and return later. Change CDs as requested.​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Creating a Boot Floppy[/SIZE]

You can create a boot disk for future use, or select “No” to boot disk creation, if you don’t have an extra floppy disk handy (Figure 181). ​

Figure 181: Creating a boot disk
You can create a boot disk or just skip this step for now. If the installation fails, you’ll probably start again from the CD, so you don’t really need a boot disk now.​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Selecting the Video Card and Monitor Type[/SIZE]

A dialog asks you to select your video card (Figure 182). It will probably already be recognized. You’ll also be asked to select your monitor (Figure 183), or it will be detected. ​

Figure 182: Video card configuration
Your video card might be selected automatically. If not, select your card from the list.​

Figure 183: Monitor configuration
If your monitor isn’t recognized, select it from the list.​

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

[SIZE=+2]Choosing Screen Resolution and Color Depth[/SIZE]

The next dialog box (Figure 184) will ask you to choose a screen resolution and a color depth. Color depth refers to how many colors you want your monitor to display. Resolution is how many pixels by how many pixels your monitor displays. ​

Figure 184: Customizing graphics settings
Setting the color depth and screen resolution. For most monitors today, 1024x768 pixels is a good resolution. You might want to decrease the color depth from high color.​