From Live boot, to installation, to upgrade
Ready, Aim, Install!
© Lead Image © Jan Will, 123RF.com
Installing Linux is easier and faster than you might think. In this article, we'll help you take stock of your hardware, back up your data, and install Fedora 20.
Most people obtain their computer's operating system (OS) bundled along with their desktop or notebook hardware, so the task of installing a new OS – Linux or otherwise – can be daunting. Fear not. Installing a new OS is a fairly simple process, particularly a Linux distribution such as Fedora, which doesn't often appear preinstalled on consumer PCs, making do-it-yourself installs the norm.
Installing Fedora successfully boils down to taking stock of your hardware, backing up your data, and clicking your way through Fedora's friendly installation wizard. Before you know it, you'll be back up and running, basking in free software goodness.
Step One: Your Hardware
First, you need to make sure your hardware meets the minimum requirements for running Fedora (see the "Minimum Hardware Requirements" box), you have the correct installation medium on hand, and your network, display, and other key hardware work under Fedora. Once you've ensured that your computer meets the basic requirements for Fedora and you've acquired the correct installation medium, you need to boot from the DVD (or USB drive) to test the compatibility of your network and video adapters, along with any other hardware that's particularly important to you, before you install to disk. Keep in mind that the Live DVD versions of Fedora run much more slowly than the installed version that runs on your hard drive.
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