Summary

Linux is a UNIX-like operating system for Intel 80x86, Pentium, and compatible systems. The CD-ROMs that accompany this book include the latest version of the popular CentOS Linux distribution. This chapter guides you through the process of installing CentOS Linux on your PC. The next chapter turns to another configuration task-how to configure and run the X Window System on your CentOS Linux PC. You need X because with it you can have a GUI for CentOS Linux.

By reading this chapter, you learned the following:

Information you should gather about your PC before installing CentOS Linux
The overall process of installing CentOS Linux (including the X Window System, GNOME, and KDE) from the companion CD-ROMs
Steps you may need to perform under MS-DOS or Microsoft Windows before installing Linux
How to boot Linux initially, partition the hard disk, and load the various software packages from the companion CD-ROMs by using the CentOS Linux installer
How to troubleshoot some common installation problems
How to perform a kickstart installation
How to install CentOS Linux on laptops