Installing CentOS 4.4

[White Wolf]

I'm wanting to install centOS 4.4 on a desktop that has a new 80gb  Slave HD with no current OS or files. My primary HD i want to keep windows xp on
There are many files listed I would like to know witch one do i need to download to install? I want just the basics to get centOS installed onto my HD and update it when that is done.

I see files such as "Alpha" "CentOS 4.4 i386 LiveCD" "CentOS 4.4 x86_64"

When I click on download centOS i see...
CentOS-4.4-i386-LiveCD.iso
CentOS-4.4-i386-LiveCD.torrent
CentOS-4.4-i386-bin1of4.iso
CentOS-4.4-i386-bin1to4.torrent
CentOS-4.4-i386-bin2of4.iso
CentOS-4.4-i386-bin3of4.iso
CentOS-4.4-i386-bin4of4.iso
CentOS-4.4-i386-binDVD.torrent
CentOS-4.4.ServerCD-i386.iso
md5sum
md5sum.asc
md5sum.livecd
md5sum.livecd.asc
md5sum.servercd

What files do I need to download and burn to disk to install CentOS?


Thanks for any help

[SensoVision]

Hi Kevin! Sorry for not answering right away but I didn't have stable internet connection for two days so only manage to get here now, hope it's not late.
First of all let me ask why did you wish to try CentOS? I'm not sure if it's easy enough to start with, I never tried it myself but one of my friends using Linux for about year or two and have good knowledge of it found it as tricky to use, that's why I would consider distribution like Ubuntu(which would supply you with free CDs) or Knoppix if you just wish a LiveCD Linux which doesn't need to be configured. Anyway don't listen to me, I'm Debian fan so always try to advertise it to everyone let's move to your question.

What files do I need to download and burn to disk to install CentOS?

it's depend what you wish to achieve, here is what you most likely to find inside each file:
CentOS-4.4-i386-LiveCD.iso - ISO image which you can download through usual means e.g. some file download utility which contain so called LiveCD which you can run without installation, it's good for trying out OS and feel of it's structure, it may give you idea whenever you like it or not. You may also use it for fixing problems if you can't load into Windows.

CentOS-4.4-i386-LiveCD.torrent - same ISO image but should be downloaded via BitTorrent sharing network, e.g. for Debian it's advised way to download files as this way you save bandwidth of developers site.

CentOS-4.4-i386-bin1of4.iso - This is 1 of 4 disks which contain binary packages of software specially prepackaged for this distribution, generally first CD contain installator and most important programs to get some basic installation onto your PC, I'm not sure about CentOS but e.g. with Debian in the past first CD contain only files which was enough to get OS with console and in order to get GUI working you would have to use 2nd CD... In CentOS this may wary and you may find first CD to contain everything necessary to run GUI.

CentOS-4.4-i386-bin2of4.iso this and 3 files below contain optional packages which you may or may not need, you'll never know unless you download them all or choose DVD file which probably contain all of these 4 CDs...
CentOS-4.4-i386-bin3of4.iso
CentOS-4.4-i386-bin4of4.iso

CentOS-4.4-i386-binDVD.torrent - as I've said above this DVD probably contain all programs which could be found on 4 previous CD images.

CentOS-4.4.ServerCD-i386.iso - not sure about this but I could assume that this is version of OS which contain tools necessary to setup server quickly, if you wish I can ask for details my friend as he probably know for sure(I would do it already but he's offline right now).

Hope I've answered some of your questions, let me know if you have more, I'd be glad to help

[White Wolf]

First of all let me ask why did you wish to try CentOS?

Hi Denis!
I have never really thought about running Linux before and I really don't know much about all these diffrent Linux distros.
I have a VPS using CentOS 4.4 with SSH access. I thought It would help me learn alot by running it as a desktop OS as well.

When I first got my server I had a choice between Debian or CentOS

[SensoVision]

When I first got my server I had a choice between Debian or CentOS Undecided

Kevin, don't listen to me as I'm just crazy about Debian as it works well for me, although it's not guarantee that this distro would work as well for you so I would advice you to try few Live disks from different distributions and if you like one follow with installing it to hard drive.

I have a VPS using CentOS 4.4 with SSH access. I thought It would help me learn alot by running it as a desktop OS as well.

sure it's good idea to have own Linux where you can perform tests and see how system works from inside.
Remember that power of Linux in it's diversity, it makes real problem for virus writers and hackers so it would be bad if everyone would use same distro with same programs...

BTW if you have time to read a lot of text you may check article I've wrote some time ago, which should describe my point of view on different distributions, although I don't feel that this article cover topic fully as Linux is hard to describe like this...
Also if you tell what you wish to achieve except learning how OS works I may be able to give you few names of distributions to choose from to narrow your searches.
It's maybe also worth to try CentOS as maybe if you worked with it already it's file structure would be known for you and easier to use.

[SensoVision]

Hi Kevin! Wonder if you tried installing CentOS in the meantime? And if so what is your impression about this OS?

[White Wolf]

Have not got around to it yet. Was going to burn some live cd's to run but my rom drive went out and untill i get another I can't burn any disks.

[SensoVision]

Have not got around to it yet. Was going to burn some live cd's to run but my rom drive went out and untill i get another I can't burn any disks.

sorry to hear about your burner was it old or have too much job or just dead suddenly? If last maybe you can share it's model?
And I also wonder what model you're going to buy?

Regarding live disks, it would be probably best way to start with as it's not complicated and let you feel the taste of Linux.
Let me know once you need any help, and in the meantime consider ordering Ubuntu, from what I know they send you only disks for free and no advertisement or anything would be attached(possibly this is because I live in other country...)

[donecweb]

consider ordering Ubuntu, from what I know they send you only disks for free and no advertisement or anything would be attached

This is quite true as I ordered 5 Ubuntu and 10 Kubuntu so I could share them and they came just as Denis said.