How to Boot Damn Small Linux (DSL)

Many people have heard about Linux and wish they could be the one to use it, but they can't ever figure it out. You're one of those people, aren't you? Linux can be used with ease by anyone who can follow instructions.

Linux has been made easier than ever with its Damn Small Linux version! Keep in mind that, like Windows XP, Linux is an operating system (OS) completely by itself. That means it runs best when it's ran outside of Windows.

Be sure to print out these instructions since you will need to restart your computer.

1) Go to Google and search for the ISO file called "dsl-n-01RC4.iso" and download it.

2) Burn "dsl-n-01RC4.iso" to a blank CD disc and make sure your CD stays in the CD Rom. (You can also use Pen Drives, but we're going to stick with CD's.)

3) When the disc writing is complete, turn off your computer, and then wait 30 seconds.

4) Turn your computer back on. Before Windows starts up (while you see the boot screen), enter into your computer Setup. This is usually done by hitting F2. If it's not F2, most computers will tell you what button to press to enter Setup mode on one of the four corners of your screen. Mine tells me what button to press on the top-right corner.

5) From the Setup mode, use the down arrow on the keyboard to move down to "BOOT SEQUENCE" and hit "Enter" on the keyboard.

6) Use the down arrow on the keyboard to highlight "IDE CD-ROM DEVICE" and use the left or right arrow to move "IDE CD-ROM DEVICE" up the list to the first spot position. (Typically, the highlighted item will move UP when you hit the left arrow and move DOWN when you hit the right arrow.

7) Hit the Escape button (Esc) on the keyboard twice and when a dialog box comes up asking you if you want to exit, highlight "SAVE CHANGES AND EXIT" and press "Enter".

Your computer is now set up to load items that are in the CD-ROM before it loads the hard drive (where Windows is stored). Instead of booting up Windows, your computer will first look at the CD-ROM, and since you've left the Damn Small Linux CD in the CD-ROM, your computer will boot it as the operating system instead of Windows.

From there, just follow the prompts and you're well on your way to booting Damn Small Linux, a very open source operating system!