How to Install Fedora Linux 13

If you visit DistroWatch you will quickly discover that Fedora Linux is the #2 Linux distribution available. Though Fedora was only "officially" created in September 2004, it actually has its roots in the venerable Red Hat Linux, which hails from 1995.

Originally, Red Hat Linux was just one version, available for download or purchase. Since high speed internet was difficult to locate in those days, most would either purchase the commercial disc set or a set that was sold on-line at places like EBay.

The company that created Red Hat decided to split Red Hat and give the "hobby" version the name of Fedora, keeping the Red Hat brand name for commercial enterprises.

Fedora, like it's cousin Red Hat is released on a 6-month schedule, meaning that unlike other operating systems you won't have to wait for an unknown number of years for the next version to come out. As a result, every 6 months we have a new version to play with and learn from!

Fedora Linux can be installed either as a stand alone operating system or alongside another operating system such as Microsoft Windows. If you are new to Linux I recommend using a test system to install Fedora on. This way you can get used to the operating system without taking any chances of endangering your personal files (or your Windows install).

To download, test and install Fedora you will need the following:

Blank CDImage Burning Program like ImgBurn
400 MHz or faster Processor
512 MB RAM (1 GB or more is recommended)
10 GB of Hard Drive space (more is definitely better)

Step One:

Click here to be taken to the Fedora 13 download page.

Step Two:

Click the blue "Download Now" button and save the ISO file to your hard drive.

Step Three:

Burn the ISO image to a blank CD using your favorite burning program. ImgBurn is a free disc image burning program you can download if you don't have an image burning program already.

Step Four:

Back up any files on your test computer that you cannot afford to loose. This process will delete any files left on your computer during the install.

Step Five:

Place the newly created Fedora 13 CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive then press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart the computer.

Step Six:

Boot the computer from the CD-ROM drive.

Step Seven:

Click the "Login" button.

Step Eight:

Click the desktop icon that says "Install to Hard Drive.

Step Nine:

Click "Next."

Step Ten:

Select your preferred language and click "Next."

Step Eleven:

Place a dot in the radio button to select "Basic Storage Devices" and click "Next."

Step Twelve:

Place a check mark in the box beside the hard drive you wish to install Fedora 13 on and click "Next."

Step Thirteen:

Name your computer and click "Next."

Step Fourteen:

Choose a city that shares your time zone and click "Next."

Step Fifteen:

Create a root password and type it into both boxes here. This is a security measure that you cannot skip. Also note that if you forget this password you may have to reinstall Fedora 13, so brand this password on your brain.

Step Sixteen:

Place a dot in the radio button beside "Use All Space" to devote your entire computer to Fedora 13. If you wish to dual-boot with another operating system (like Windows), make sure you place a radio button beside "Shrink Current System." This article only covers a straight install.

Step Seventeen:

Click "Write Changes to Disk" to verify that you want Fedora to wipe your hard drive and install Fedora. If you have any worries that you have missed any files during your backup, stop NOW, turn off the computer and go grab a disc to back them up before starting over.

Step Eighteen:

Grab a cup of coffee while Fedora installs to your hard drive.

Step Nineteen:

Click "Close" when the installation completes.

Step Twenty:

Click on Live Session User and select "Quit" to shut down the computer. Click "Log Out," and then when back to the login screen click on the switch icon at the bottom right of the screen. Click "Restart" to restart your computer.

Step Twenty-One:

When the computer reboots, click the "Forward" button to start your configuration. Click "Forward" to go past the License information.

Step Twenty-Two:

Fill in the blanks with your user name, your full name and your password. Click "Next" when finished.

Step Twenty-Three:

Verify that your time is correct and click "Next."

Step Twenty-Four:

Click "Finish" to start using Fedora 13.

Step Twenty-Five:

Click on your user name, enter your password and click "Log In." Enjoy your new Fedora 13 installation!

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