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hi there, I am getting into Linux world (amazing!) but I need to understand some things like this: in a simplify scenario I have my computer and a BIOS in ...
  1. 04-12-2011 #1
    federicoht
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    very first installation of Linux kernel

    hi there,
    I am getting into Linux world (amazing!) but I need to understand some things like this:
    in a simplify scenario I have my computer and a BIOS in it(nothing else), so I turn it on.... then??
    in a system which is already running I know it will find the boot loader and from there the kernel and then the OS (let's say an Ubuntu distribution)
    but how to install the kernel without installing any OS distribution, I see over there you guys talk about upload or update your kernel and even download it from kernel.org but how to start if I have my BIOS only??
    Do I need to run a kernel from a CD rom and from there install it as start point in this process??
    or when you talk about Kernel you are talking already about a complete OS?

    thank you guys for your help!!! have a wonderfull day!!!
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  2. 04-13-2011 #2
    MikeTbob
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    Quote Originally Posted by federicoht View Post
    hi there,
    I am getting into Linux world (amazing!) but I need to understand some things like this:
    in a simplify scenario I have my computer and a BIOS in it(nothing else), so I turn it on.... then??
    in a system which is already running I know it will find the boot loader and from there the kernel and then the OS (let's say an Ubuntu distribution)
    but how to install the kernel without installing any OS distribution, I see over there you guys talk about upload or update your kernel and even download it from kernel.org but how to start if I have my BIOS only??
    Do I need to run a kernel from a CD rom and from there install it as start point in this process??
    or when you talk about Kernel you are talking already about a complete OS?

    thank you guys for your help!!! have a wonderfull day!!!

    YES!
    I always burn a Live CD or USB with the latest edition of my favorite distro, (Parted Magic USB) but any distro will work. Boot my machine with that and then from there I can install anything I want.
    The normal way of doing it is to download whichever distro you want, burn it to CD/DVD/USB and boot/install directly from that.
    I do not respond to private messages asking for Linux help, Please keep it on the forums only.
    All new users please read this.** Forum FAQS. ** Adopt an unanswered post.
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  3. 04-13-2011 #3
    Rubberman
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    The kernel is just part of the boot process. There is a lot of other stuff going on in order to get to where the kernel has control of the system. You can't just boot a raw kernel from the BIOS. There is a lot of documentation about how you can bootstrap a system. A really good resource to learn about that aspect of Linux can be found here: Welcome to Linux From Scratch!

    Anyway, as Mike TBob said, download and burn a LiveCD/DVD image to CD/DVD and boot that to get started. If you REALLY want to do it from scratch, then the Linux From Scratch web site has a minimal boot CD image you can burn and boot in order to get started in building your own system from bits and bytes. Enjoy! and have fun!
    Sometimes, real fast is almost as good as real time.
    Just remember, Semper Gumbi - always be flexible!
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  4. 04-13-2011 #4
    federicoht
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    Thank you guys,
    so, to be clear (to my self a kernel is already a system which allow me to interact with the computer, and a Distribution as Ubuntu, debian, etc, are just a kernel (always) PLUS a nice OS supported on graphic interface.
    so the kernel will contain always the / directory plus those other directories as /var; /bin, /usr, /boot, etc right?


    thank you
    have a nice day!! and don't forget to smile!!
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  5. 04-13-2011 #5
    hazel
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    Quote Originally Posted by federicoht View Post
    Thank you guys,
    so, to be clear (to my self a kernel is already a system which allow me to interact with the computer, and a Distribution as Ubuntu, debian, etc, are just a kernel (always) PLUS a nice OS supported on graphic interface.
    so the kernel will contain always the / directory plus those other directories as /var; /bin, /usr, /boot, etc right?
    Not quite! The Linux OS consists of:
    1) The kernel, a program that manages your hardware and does basic supervisory tasks;
    2) The shell, a low-level command-based interface with the user;
    3) The X server, which draws the GUI images on your screen and harvests mouse clicks and keystrokes;
    4) The window manager, which manages your GUI interface;
    5) The file system with all the main directories;
    6) Various "daemons", background programs that run independently of one another and do useful jobs;
    7) Applications for you to use.

    Distributions differ mainly in what applications they include, what default desktop/window-manager they use, and how they do updates.
    "I'm just a little old lady; don't try to dazzle me with jargon!"
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  6. 04-13-2011 #6
    federicoht
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    clear!! I understand now,

    thank you
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  7. 04-13-2011 #7
    elija
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    If you fancy a challenge, there is Linux from scratch but even that has a live CD so you can start the process.
    If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate! (Zapp Brannigan)


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