Getting Started With Linux

Installation

32-bit vs. 64-bit

Processors in new computers are "64-bit". This has to do with how the processor processes instructions, so programs that have been compiled for 64-bit processors will not run on old 32-bit processors. However, the new processors are "backward compatible", meaning they can run programs compiled for 32-bit processors. Even though 64-bit processors have been available for several years now, many computers come with a 32-bit version of Microsoft Windows installed. When a 32-bit OS is installed on a 64-bit processor, the computer will only be able to run 32-bit programs, even though the processor is cable of running 64-bit programs. So, there are three parts when considering 32-bit vs. 64-bit

• The computer's processor (hardware)
• The computer's operating system (software)
• The program to run (software)

If any item in this list is 32-bit, then all the items below it are limited to 32-bit. So, in order to run a 64-bit program on your computer, you must have a 64-bit processor AND a 64-bit operating system.

Installing on a Virtual Machine

This is the simplest way to start using Linux without losing anything on your current computer setup. A VirtualBox is a program that emulates a PC (i.e. a virtual machine), which you can then install an operating system on. To Install Linux on a virtual machine, you need to

1. install VirtualBox on your computer
2. create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox
3. install Linux on the new virtual machine

When installing a virtual machine, the computer you install VirtualBox on is called the HOST (this is the actual, physical computer you can put your hands on). The virtual machine you create and install Linux on is called the GUEST. The question of 32-bit vs. 64-bit comes into play here again, but it is slightly more complicated because now we have both the host and guest to consider. The parts involved are

• Host's processor (hardware)
• Host's OS (software)
• VirtualBox Install (software)
• Guest's processor (virtual hardware)
• Guest's OS (software)
• The program to run (software)

Again, if any item in the list is 32-bit, then all items below it will be limited to 32-bit.

Even though 64-bit processors have been available for a while, virtualizing 64-bit processors is fairly new. Not all 64-bit computers will be able to run a 64-bit virtual machine. For this tutorial, we will assume that you want to install a 32-bit version of Linux on a 32-bit virtual machine. This is the most portable setup since both 32-bit and 64-bit computers running 32-bit or 64-bit operating systems and 32-bit or 64-bit version of VirtualBox can all run 32-bit virtual machines.

Installing VirtualBox

For more information on VirtualBox, visit their website at www.virtualbox.org.

To install VirtualBox:

1. go to the downloads page here
2. choose the download for your platform (Windows, OS X, or Linux) from the "VirtualBox platform packages" section.
3. run the installer that was downloaded
4. just accept the default configuration by clicking "Next >" on the install wizard window (unless you know what you are doing)
5. during the install, you may be asked if you want to install various "devices" from Oracle. click "Install" on these dialog boxes

Creating a Linux Virtual Machine

You are now ready to create a virtual machine and install Linux on it. Start VirtualBox, a window titled "Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager" should appear. When creating a new virtual machine, you will choose

• how much memory (RAM) the machine will have
• how big the harddrive (storage) will be

To create a new virtual machine for your Linux install:

1. click on the "New" button
2. In the "Name and operating system" window
   1. enter a name for your new virtual machine
   2. in the "Type" field, choose "Linux"
   3. in the "Version" field, choose "Ubuntu" (not "Ubuntu (64 bit)")
   4. click "Next >"
3. In the "Memory size" window
   1. choose the amount of memory for your virtual machine (512 - 1024 MB should be enough)
   2. click "Next >"
4. In the "Hard drive" window
   1. select "Create a virtual hard drive now"
   2. click "Create"
5. In the "Hard drive file type" window
   1. select "VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)"
   2. click "Next >"
6. In the "Storage on physical hard drive" window
   1. select Dynamically allocated
   2. click "Next >"
7. In the "File location and size" window
   1. the name you chose for your virtual machine should be automatically inserted for the virtual hard drive's name. if not, name the hard drive
   2. choose a size for the hard drive. you should make the hard drive at least 10 GB. if you have room on your physical hard drive, make the virtual hard drive 40 GB
   3. click "Create"

You should now see your virtual machine listed in left-hand pane. To the right, you will see various information about the machine.