Installing Arch Linux

[SunnyChahal]

Been using windows and ubuntu on PC for quite a long time but now after hearing a lot about arch these days,I wanna try it out.Some questions I need to ask:
1.Is is tougher than ubuntu?
2.Does it work with 2xGPU(SLI) or will I have to remove one GPU?
3.Are there any guides for it like fedorafaq.org for Fedora?
4.Does KDE 4.1 work?

[amitava82]

Believe me, you don't wanna do this. If you still feel adventurous, here is your guide.

[SunnyChahal]

^^I got nothing to loose.Everything is backed up.

[FilledVoid]

Been using windows and ubuntu on PC for quite a long time but now after hearing a lot about arch these days,I wanna try it out.Some questions I need to ask:
1.Is is tougher than ubuntu?

Once you get it installed they all are about the same. The problem is getting it installed. If anyone tells you that installing Arch is easy its quite a hoax. While in Ubuntu everythign is automated in Arch you have to do everything manual.

2.Does it work with 2xGPU(SLI) or will I have to remove one GPU?

Only supported on certain chipsets . In otherwords theres probably basic support for it.

3.Are there any guides for it like fedorafaq.org for Fedora?

There is a wiki you can use for help. http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners_Guide is the Beginners Guide to Installation. Everytrhign you need tog et a working install is in the Arch Linux Thread.

4.Does KDE 4.1 work?

Yes KDE 4.1 works Mehulved has it installed.

[SunnyChahal]

In the ntwork thingy do I have to enter my ip like 192.168 or 59.xxxxxxx?I have WiFi in my home.Does Arch support WiFi?
And is this really worth the effort?It asks for too much!

[FilledVoid]

In the ntwork thingy do I have to enter my ip like 192.168 or 59.xxxxxxx?I have WiFi in my home.Does Arch support WiFi?
And is this really worth the effort?It asks for too much!

There is no network thingy. Arch once the core is installed you get a command line system. Theres no GUI no nothing. You need to install and configure your system from scratch. My recommendation is that if you are installing Arch because someone said so. Then stop. It would be a huge mistake. Nonetheless there are Wifi users and if you follow the beginners guide you should be able to install it.

Please note that if you do not follow the guide word by word you'll most likely end up with a bad error.

[SunnyChahal]

NO NO,i mean there is a stage where we have to enter our IP.What do I have to enter there?
No yaar,I have used ubuntu for 2-3 months now.I want to try something new.Not the conventional User-Friendly stuff but something challenging.
It is light on resources so it will run blazing fast on my Quad Core PC

[FilledVoid]

NO NO,i mean there is a stage where we have to enter our IP.What do I have to enter there?

You are supposed to enter your IP in a config file called rc.conf. The Ip refers to your system IP and Gateway IP. Of course you could make them dhcp if you choose though.

No yaar,I have used ubuntu for 2-3 months now.I want to try something new.Not the conventional User-Friendly stuff but something challenging.

Ok then No problem but make sure you follow the guide word by word.

It is light on resources so it will run blazing fast on my Quad Core PC

yes it is very light on resources.

[mehulved]

Originally Posted by FilledVoid

While in Ubuntu everythign is automated in Arch you have to do everything manual.

HAHAHA noob.

[SunnyChahal]

Man the manual is just too long?Should I DL core or FTP image?The setup needs an internet connection but I have only wifi.Further it needs a pen drive which I lost just yesterday.Any other light on resources distro or any distro which can make full use of Q6600,4Gigs RAM,8800series card which is a litttttttle bit easier to setup and get running?

[MetalheadGautham]

Try OpenSuSE 11. Its designed for such heavy hardware, and its supposed to please Vista users.

Arch is seriously not your type. Since you seem to enjoy your iMac and MBP so much, its obvious that you need a no commandline easy to use and newbie friendly distro that also looks attractive. You have already used ubuntu, so next move on to OpenSuSE and tell me how it is.

[Rahim]

Arch Linux is not for faint hearted. If you have time and passion to configure everything ,then go ahead and install Arch. You mightl end up getting frustrated.
The wiki is so long bcoz it explains all the nitty-gritty things in detail, like teaching a baby how to walk
I am not discouraging you but Arch is definitely not everybody's cake!!!
I love my kdemod layered Arch cake though.

[FilledVoid]

Man the manual is just too long?Should I DL core or FTP image?The setup needs an internet connection but I have only wifi.Further it needs a pen drive which I lost just yesterday.Any other light on resources distro or any distro which can make full use of Q6600,4Gigs RAM,8800series card which is a litttttttle bit easier to setup and get running?

I'm shrinking the guide to a bit smaller format but I don't intend on finishing it anytime soon now.

You would download core I believe. Unless of course you want to try out FTP. Don't even think about trying Arch without a good Internet connection or packages. And I dont recall Arch needing a Pen drive. You could try other distros like Zenwalk, DreamLinux, Sidux etc. Or if you don't mind the added weight I would go for Sabayon.

You need to install and configure your system from scratch.

I'm sorry it seems some people are having a problem with me using the above line and claim it to be wrong. So I'll explain so the people get a clear description of what I meant.

As per Arch Wiki

The Arch Linux system is assembled by the user, from the shell, using basic command line tools. This is The Arch Way. Unlike the more rigid structures of other distributions and installers, there are no default environments nor configurations chosen for you. From the command line, you will add packages from the Arch repositories using the pacman tool via your internet connection and manually configure your installation until your system is customized to your requirements. This method allows for maximum flexibility, choice, and system resource control from the base up.

Arch Linux is aimed at GNU/Linux users who desire minimal 'code separation' from their machine.

In no way am I trying to say that Arch is more l337 than some distros. So please don't come and bust my chops for it .

[SunnyChahal]

See,I'm not gonna give up arch.Just help me out with WiFi.
@Filled-Void,I have a 1M unlimited connection.Will serve fine I guess.
@Gautham,NO Suse for me.I hate green.Moreover it's sluggish.
@Rahimveron,I have the whole day today,won't that be enough?

if any arch linux user could come online.
OK started Downloading the core iso.Will take roughly 40 mins.

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

See,I'm not gonna give up arch.Just help me out with WiFi.

Suit yourself. But I warn you that you will get somewhat pwned by arch at first. Later, its a breeze. All you need is initial will to work. And yes, configure ndsi-wrappers or something to get wireless net to work.

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

@Filled-Void,I have a 1M unlimited connection.Will serve fine I guess.

Hell ya it will
BTW, whats the bill you get every month for internet ?

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

@Gautham,NO Suse for me.I hate green.Moreover it's sluggish.

If you hate green, install suse-blue theme or something. And SuSE is not as sluggish as before in version 11.0. Besides, its guys like ME who should worry about sluggishness. I doubt it can ever be sluggish on YOUR rig of all rigs.

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

@Rahimveron,I have the whole day today,won't that be enough?

I suppose.

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

if any arch linux user could come online.My IDs are <sniped>@yahoo.co.in , <sniped>@gmail.com ,<sniped>@mac.com
Thank You

Mistake #1: Never give away your email ID online in a forum like this

Mistake #2: This is arch, not Sabayon or SuSE. You need to be online on IRC using irssi commandline chat client, not on gmail

[SunnyChahal]

I don't have a WiFi card in my PC.I use a USB WiFi dongle.I doubt i will workWhat to do?
@Gautham,thanks yaar!I've started panicking before even getting Arch!
Broadband Bill-2222Rs.Official work ke liye hai but main kuch na kuch DL karta rehta hu,how can I let 1Mbps go waste?Each second counts!

[Faun]

sunny dont cut yourself

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

Mistake #2: This is arch, not Sabayon or SuSE. You need to be online on IRC using irssi commandline chat client, not on gmail

amendment: i installed without any pre pro instructions and no to IRC(i hate chatting)

[SunnyChahal]

^^
What was that?

[Rahim]

hey sunny what we are telling you is the initial sweat and perspiration involved in installing arch and to get that gui and after that it is a breeze (you will forget any other distro you have tried) and finally you can say," Dekho mummy, meri mehnat rang laa rahii haiii."

BTW my install was quite straight-forward and i gave myself enough time to work with it .Its definitely not a one-day distro imo. While working with cli was a culture-shock initially but it was a hoax as install was very easy. Dont forget to read Arch Linux Begiiner's Guide. Its a must.

[SunnyChahal]

Originally Posted by rahimveron

hey sunny what we are telling you is the initial sweat and perspiration involved in installing arch and to get that gui and after that it is a breeze (you will forget any other distro you have tried)

Arre,you don't know how much I have struggled installing video drivers on ubuntu.I don't give up easily

Originally Posted by rahimveron

finally you can say," Dekho mummy, meri mehnat rang laa rahii haiii."

That wasn't so pleasing.

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

Arre,you don't know how much I have struggled installing video drivers on ubuntu.I don't give up easily

Then definitely don't install Arch. If you call installing video drivers on ubuntu "struggling", I wonder what you will do with arch

Take my advice and install Sidux. Its a good second step from ubuntu. Then after you become well versed with commandline, install Arch. Till then, either stay away from arch or learn some BASHING.

[Faun]

a two hour ride before you know all the essentials. but pay attention to wiki !

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

Then definitely don't install Arch. If you call installing video drivers on ubuntu "struggling", I wonder what you will do with arch

Take my advice and install Sidux. Its a good second step from ubuntu. Then after you become well versed with commandline, install Arch. Till then, either stay away from arch or learn some BASHING.

hey metaaaaaaal here is some good song for good mood I hope you are not on sucky NU plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu7aF_df6WU

The ultimate endurance test and teh ecstasy at last

[SunnyChahal]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

Then definitely don't install Arch. If you call installing video drivers on ubuntu "struggling", I wonder what you will do with arch

Take my advice and install Sidux. Its a good second step from ubuntu. Then after you become well versed with commandline, install Arch. Till then, either stay away from arch or learn some BASHING.

At that time my 8800 GTS was not compatible with ubuntu.I had to edit xorg.conf with nano editor.Get it?

Just tell me what to do with WiFi??I have netgear WiFi USB dongle WG111 for my PC.

Oh me idiot!!!I can pick up the AP and plug it into my PC through ethernet wire.Later I can configure WiFi

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

At that time my 8800 GTS was not compatible with ubuntu.I had to edit xorg.conf with nano editor.Get it?

Just tell me what to do with WiFi??I have netgear WiFi USB dongle WG111 for my PC.

Oh me idiot!!!I can pick up the AP and plug it into my PC through ethernet wire.Later I can configure WiFi

Editing with nano is not something great. But knowing what do do in the commandline environment, and a basic knowledge of tools like less, dir, nano, pacman, etc is something thats essential.

So read the user guide, by pressing alt+f2 and logging in as arch and do a less /arch/arch-install-guide.txt and then read away with page up, page down, up and down. Do this before, after and WHILE installing.

[mehulved]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

Mistake #2: This is arch, not Sabayon or SuSE. You need to be online on IRC using irssi commandline chat client, not on gmail

Why not?

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

At that time my 8800 GTS was not compatible with ubuntu.I had to edit xorg.conf with nano editor.Get it?

Next time try ed.

[SunnyChahal]

giving mkswap error after setting filesystem.CR@P.But good news,my USB dongle is supported

[Rahim]

Whay dont use Gparted Live Cd to do your pre-partitions stuff and then just select the partitions as swap and root when asked in mount points?

[FilledVoid]

giving mkswap error after setting filesystem.CR@P.But good news,my USB dongle is supported

Are you installing Arch? If you are I will gladly help you if you post questions here and if I know the answers. However I don't know about the wifi setup. The one who does know about that is Amitava he has a wifi setup to get on the net so you might want to check with him.

[amitava82]

U-4-7?

[SunnyChahal]

Neatgear WG111
What about mkswap error?

@Filled-Void,of course I'm installing arch!