Version 3.3 (Last update: July 26 2009) Author: Navid Abdi Corrections and Additions: Alan Baghumian, Ali Yousefi Sabzevar
This document is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation. This document is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
You can find a copy of this guide on the Parsix GNU/Linux CD-ROM.
If you see a black box, it means that you have to execute the commands in terminal mode (Applications > Accessories > Terminal).
Please send your comments and notes to (docs AT parsix DOT org) to make this guide better. Report bugs and problems at Parsix Bug Tracker.
Is it possible to install Parsix GNU/Linux on the hard disk?
What's the minimum hardware requirements to install Parsix GNU/Linux?
Is it possible to install Parsix GNU/Linux beside of other GNU/Linux distributions like Red Hat or Debian GNU/Linux?
Is it possible to install Parsix GNU/Linux beside of MS-Windows?
What's the default boot loader of Parsix GNU/Linux?
Does Parsix GNU/Linux's boot loader recognize other installed GNU/Linux distributions on my PC?
How many partitions and how much space are required to install Parsix GNU/Linux?
Is it possible to update an existing Parsix GNU/Linux installation?
Prerequirements
Running Installation program
Installation Start
Main Menu
Partitioning
Installation Configuration
Saving and Restoring Configuration
Installation Process
Quit
Update Installation Mode
Starting Update Process
Yes. You can do this using the Parsix GNU/Linux installation program. Parsix GNU/Linux is designed to be installed on the hard disk.
The minimum required hardware is a 500MHz processor and at least 512MB of RAM. For better performance, 1GB of RAM is recommended.
Yes. You can install it beside of any type of GNU/Linux distribution. Parsix GNU/Linux installer system will try to detect other installed operating systems automatically.
Yes. You can install it beside of MS-Windows (Any version).
Parsix GNU/Linux uses GNU GRUB as it's default boot loader. Since Parsix GNU/Linux 3.0r0, we are using GRUB 2.
Does Parsix GNU/Linux's boot loader recognizes other installed GNU/Linux distributions on my PC?
Since version 0.81 (Shipped with Parsix 1.0 called Ramon), the installer system supports autodetection of all installed operating systems. This feature is also implemented in GRUB 2.
At least a root partition with 5 GB free space and a swap partition is required for the installation. Swap partition's capacity should be about twice as your RAM's. Since Parsix GNU/Linux 3.0r0, its officialy possible to use an extra partition as /home.
Parsix installation system can also update existing installations. For more information, see "Update installation mode".
1. Prerequirements
As mentioned above, you need at least two partitions. A root partition with 5GB of free space and a swap partition. If you have other GNU/Linux installations on your hard disk, Parsix GNU/Linux can recognize and use their swap paritions automatically. You can use provided "GParted" partitioning tool (Run it from Applications > System Tools > Partition Editor) to create new partitions or to resize existing ones. Do not forget that if you create or resize any partitions, it's recommended to reboot the computer to apply changes and then start installation. If your partitions are ready, you can start installation right away. It is possible to install Parsix GNU/Linux on "Primary" and "Extended" partitions. If you have more than one hard disk, it's possible to use any of them as the installation target.
2. Running Installation Program
To run the installation program, click on the "Install Parsix" icon on desktop or in the Applications > Parsix menu. Or type "sudo parsix-installer" command.
3. Installation Start
After clicking on the "Install Parsix" icon, the installation program displays a welcome window. Click "OK" to proceed.
4. Main Menu
After clicking on the "OK" button, the installation program displays the main menu. This menu has seven items. To quit installation, click "Quit".
5. Partitioning
If you do not have any ready partition to install Parsix GNU/Linux, on the main menu, choose partition and click "OK". This will run "GParted" partitioning tool that could be used to create new or resize existing partitions.
Parsix GNU/Linux needs at least two partitions to be installed. A Swap partition about twice as your RAM's and a main or root. Size of this partition should be at least 5GB. It will be formatted using the format you choose in installation wizard. We recommend create three partitions: "swap", "/" and "/home". Having a separate /home partition is a good idea to keep your data in an isolated environment than the main operating system files. Just in case you need to format the main partition, its not needed to even touch your /home.
If you create or resize any partitions, it's recommended to reboot the computer to apply changes and then restart installation. If the "Partition Editor" tool failes to detect your partitions or crashes during applying needed changes, you can manually partition the hard disk using "su -c cfdisk" command. Cfdisk is a powerful partitioning tool but can not resize existing partitions. To resize partitions using the command line, use the "parted" command. For more information type the "man parted" command.
6. Configure Installation
Before starting the installation procedure, you should configure needed installation information such as installation place, user/passwords etc. From the main menu choose "Configure Installation" and click "OK". In the first step, it asks to choose an installation partition. Choose a partition that you want to install Parsix GNU/Linux in. Then click "Next" to proceed.
In the next step, you should choose desired file system format. If you don't know about file system differences, click "Next" to proceed.
Then installation program asks you to enter your full name, username and password respectively.
In the next step, you should enter your root (Administration) password. You will need it to do administrative tasks later, so choose a password that you never forget!
In the next step you should enter a hostname (Computer name). Default hostname is "parsix". You can change it. Hostname is needed for networking.
In the next step, the installation program asks about boot loader installation. Parsix GNU/Linux uses GRUB boot loader. It's recommended to choose "mbr". This will install boot loader on the master boot record.
After finishing configuration, you will be returned to the main menu.
7. Saving and Restoring Configuration
If you are planning to start the installation later, it's possible to save the installation configuration in a file. Click "Save Config" and click "OK". You can load the saved configuration file later using the "Load Config" button.
8. Installation Process
After finishing configuration, you can start the installation process by clicking on "Start Installation" and then "OK" button.
Then, the installation program displays a confirmation window. Take a look, if everything seems to be fine, click "Next" to proceed.
The installation program starts formatting the chosen partition or partitions, copies files & configurations, creates users, installs boot loader and kernel. Then displays the final message that "Installation has finished successfully". Now you can boot the computer using Parsix GNU/Linux.
9. Quit
In "Configure Installation" step, you can use "Quit" button to quit. The installation program will ask to save the configuration in a file. If you like, you can save your configuration to use it later.
If you have an existing installation of Parsix GNU/Linux on the computer, it is possible to update it to the new version using update installation mode. It is recommended to backup your data before proceed. Update procedure deletes a lot of data from your root partition. This action can not be undone.
To start update procedure, click on "Applications > Parsix > Install Parsix" icon or type "sudo parsix-installer" command. Then skip the welcome window and choose "Update installation" then click next.
Then system asks to choose a partition that contains your existing Parsix GNU/Linux installation.
Then displays a confirmation message about the update process. Again it's highly recommended to backup your data before proceed.
After 10-15 minutes the installer displays the final confirmation window and your new Parsix GNU/Linux is ready to use. Important note that all extra installed software packages will be deleted and you have to reinstall them after updating the system using the following command:
# apt-get update && apt-get install `cat /root/diffpackages-xxxxxxxx-xxxx.txt`
