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Learning Debian GNU/Linux
book

Learning Debian GNU/Linux

by Bill McCarty
October 1999
Beginner to intermediate content levelBeginner to intermediate
360 pages
10h 18m
English
O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Content preview from Learning Debian GNU/Linux

Chapter 2. Preparing to Install Linux

This chapter presents information you need to know and tasks you need to perform before installing Linux. It helps you make certain that your IBM-compatible PC meets the minimum hardware requirements for Linux. It shows you how to document your system configuration so that you can respond to questions presented by the Linux install procedure. Finally, it shows you how to prepare your hard disk for Linux.

Minimum Hardware Requirements

Linux supports a wide range of PC hardware; but not even Linux supports every known device and system. Your PC must meet certain minimum requirements in order to run Linux. The following sections present these minimum requirements; however, for the latest and most complete information, you should check the Debian Project web site at http://www.debian.org/. The Debian web site will also help you determine if Linux supports all the devices installed in your system.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Linux does not support the Intel 286 and earlier processors. However, it fully supports the Intel 80386, 80486, Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium II, and Pentium III processors. Nevertheless, some users feel that their 80386 Linux systems respond sluggishly, particularly when running X. So, if you want optimum performance, you should install Linux on a PC having an 80486 processor or better.

Linux also supports non-Intel processors such as the Cyrix 6x86 and the AMD K5 and K6. Most Linux users have systems that use ...

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 1565927052Supplemental ContentCatalog PageErrata