NOTE: The content of this page may be outdated. Links may not be valid and the steps detailed may no longer work. This page is saved for archival purposes only.
This guide is my personal configuration of Fedora Core 4. I put this page together to provide some common installation tips that I would hope other people would find useful. Keep in mind this works for me, so take care in doing proper backups to critical files whenever trying something.
It is highly recommended you read the Fedora Core 4 Release Notes and official Installation Guide before installing Fedora.
Obtain the Fedora Core 4 cd images or DVD image from a Fedora mirror (or use the torrent) and burn to CD's or DVD. Boot from the first disk.
I did a Custom Install of Fedora Core 4.
Install and reboot. For the first boot:
16 June 2005
* I duplicate the entry first entry and remove 'rhgb' which prevents the
Graphical Boot Loader from running. (Or you can remove the RPM above).
* Do NOT use the 'vga=788' to enable frame buffer text console at boot.
There appears to be some problem which will prevent usage of text consoles.
* Fedora Core 2 and newer have Security Enhanced Linux (selinux). You can
add 'selinux=0' to force disable selinux. (Or you can disable it in the
installation above).
* You may remove 'quiet' if you would like to see the kernel boot information.
* If you put a 3 at the end of the 'kernel' line you can force grub to boot
into runlevel 3.
* [Strongly Recommended] - Remove 'hiddenmenu' to see the Grub boot menu at
boot time. This may come in handy during a problem.
---
edited /boot/grub/grub.conf:
#hiddenmenu
title Fedora Core (2.6.11-1.1369_FC4)
root (hd0,8)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.11-1.1369_FC4 ro root=LABEL=/
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.11-1.1369_FC4.img
title Fedora Core (2.6.11-1.1369_FC4)
root (hd0,8)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.11-1.1369_FC4 ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.11-1.1369_FC4.img
8 December 2005
http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_display_archive.html
The currently available version is the 1.0-8174 driver from Nvidia.
The kernel source is NOT required, however the kernel-devel RPM is
required. This is included on the FC4 CD #4, DVD or online:
[root@charon ~]# rpm -q kernel-devel
kernel-devel-2.6.11-1.1369_FC4
Login as root to text console <CTRL><ALT><F1> (or F2,F3,F4)
disable X-server, install driver, re-enable X-server:
[root@charon ~]# init 3
(if the prompt does not return, try hitting enter or you can
hit <CTRL><ALT><F1> again and hit enter)
[root@charon ~]# sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-8174-pkg1.run -a
Note: Make sure you allow the Nvidia installer to re-configure
your xorg.conf (unless you wish to do it manually). Manual instructions are below.
[root@charon ~]# modprobe nvidia
NVRM: loading NVIDIA Linux x86 NVIDIA Kernel Module 1.0-8174 Tue Nov 22
17:48:37 PST 2005
[root@charon ~]# init 5
After running the above, you should see the Nvidia logo screen, then the login
prompt. Login and run '/usr/X11R6/bin/glxgears', you should a high frame rate.
You are done!
--------------------
ONLY If the installer does not setup xorg.conf or you wish to
manually setup xorg.conf these are the necessary changes.
These changes are explained on the Nvidia website:
http://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/1.0-8174/README/32bit_html/chapter-03-section-02.html
Changes to /etc/X11/xorg.conf
ection "Module"
add (if not already there):
Load "glx"
comment out (add # in front of them, if they are there):
#Load "dri"
#Load "GLcore"
("glx" and "dri" were there for me, "GLcore" was not)
Section "Device"
change from:
Driver "nv"
to:
Driver "nvidia"
--------------------
Other Kernel Issues:
If you update your kernel the NVidia driver must be re-installed to
match the new kernel.
Most all information available from Nvidia. Read more:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux.html
12 June 2005 Fedora Core 4 ships and uses GCC 4.0. Some applications that were compiled with GCC 3.2 will require compatibility libraries. Make sure to have the following RPM's installed. These are included with the FC4 CD-disk3 or DVD or online. Running 'yum install' on these names will also work. compat-libstdc++-33 compat-libstdc++-296
16 June 2005 Some applications will NOT compile in GCC 4.0. You can install GCC 3.2 to allow compiling applications which do not yet support GCC 4.0. Make sure to have the following RPM's installed. These are included with the CD's or DVD or online. Running 'yum install' on these names will also work. compat-gcc-32 (on CD-disk3) compat-gcc-32-c++ (on CD-disk4) To use either, run 'gcc32' or 'g++32'. I have more information on using alternate compilers.
15 May 2005 SELinux allows certain levels of control over what parts of Linux can be accessed by whom. This is very useful for servers, or certain daemons or services which are directly connected to the web, example: webservers, databases, etc. There is much better SELinux support in FC4 than previously. In my protected environment I do not use SELinux as I am the only user on my machine and I have no open connections to the web. Although leaving SELinux does make any machine more secure if properly setup. Disable SELinux: EDIT '/etc/selinux/config' Change: SELINUX=enforcing to: SELINUX=disabled Disable SELinux from grub. Previous method is recommended. EDIT /boot/grub/grub.conf (as above): ADD 'selinux=0' on your kernel line in grub. More information: http://fedora.redhat.com/docs/selinux-faq/ http://www.crypt.gen.nz/selinux/faq.html
11 May 2005 ALSA now comes standard in Fedora Core. The 2.6 kernel includes ALSA. FC4 detected, tested and played sound perfectly on the first try. No additional configuration changes were required. Previous problems were noted on my Fedora Core 3 Guide or my Fedora Core 2 Guide. My sound: Analog Devices AD1980 / VIA 8235 ALSA driver: via82xx Mainboard: Asus A7V8X-X, VIA KT400 chipset
5 June 2005 Fedora Core 4 does NOT ship with XMMS, you must install from the Fedora Extras (http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/extras/4/i386/) or from some other location. If you use the Fedora Extras site, there will be NO MP3 plugin. The RPMs for FC3 from freshrpms will work and include MP3 support: http://heidelberg.freshrpms.net/rpm.html?id=400 http://ftp.freshrpms.net/pub/freshrpms/fedora/linux/3/xmms/ Get: xmms-1.2.10-9.1.1.fc3.fr.i386.rpm xmms-mp3-1.2.10-9.1.1.fc3.fr.i386.rpm xmms-skins-1.2.10-9.1.1.fc3.fr.i386.rpm Run: [root@charon fc4]# rpm -ivh xmms-* Preparing... ########################################### [100%] 1:xmms ########################################### [ 33%] 2:xmms-mp3 ########################################### [ 67%] 3:xmms-skins ########################################### [100%] --- XMMS Status Plugin --- If you want the XMMS status plugin for Gnome and KDE, go here: http://newrpms.sunsite.dk/apt/redhat/en/i386/fc3/RPMS.newrpms/xmms-status-plugin-1.0-2.rhfc3.nr.i386.rpm Get: xmms-status-plugin-1.0-2.rhfc3.nr.i386.rpm Run: [root@charon fc4]# rpm -ivh xmms-status-plugin-1.0-2.rhfc3.nr.i386.rpm Run xmms through the menu or by running 'xmms' at the shell. And go to the XMMS Options: Options > Preferences > General Plugins Status Docklet Plugin 1.0 [libstatusdocklet.so] ==> Check [ ] Enable Plugin Apply
11 May 2005 http://corefonts.sourceforge.net/ You have to make the RPM, to speed things up I've created the RPM: msttcorefonts-1.3-4.noarch.rpm [root@charon fc4]# rpm -ivh msttcorefonts-1.3-4.noarch.rpm [root@charon fc4]# /etc/init.d/xfs restart Restarting 'xfs' may not be necessary. Many programs need only to be restarted. |
15 May 2005 For more information on managing services in Fedora: https://www.mjmwired.net/resources/mjm-fedora-manage-services.html To see what services you have running: [root@charon ~]# service --status-all | grep running Also you can use 'chkconfig' (replace 3 with 5 for runlevel 5): [root@charon ~]# chkconfig --list | grep 3:on Run 'serviceconf', edit running services for runlevel 5 *AND* 3, do not touch the others. Be careful, do not disable things that you're not sure if need or if you do not understand or know what they are. Note: The following are either the most popular services or the services and daemons that were enabled by default on my installation. apmd Is used by some laptops. If your computer supports ACPI, then 'apmd' is probably not needed. auditd This saves audit records generated by the kernel. Not sure how this information is used. For now I have this enabled. autofs This mounts removable disks (such as USB harddrives) on demand. I highly recommend keeping this enabled. bluetooth, hicd, sdpd Bluetooth is for portable local wireless devices (NOT wifi,802.11). Some laptops come with bluetooth support. I have no bluetooth devices. cron, atd, anacron These are schedulers, it is recommended you keep at least 1 (cron) running, especially if you keep your computer running for long periods of time. If you are running a server look into which schedulers you require. cpuspeed Changes your CPU speed to save power. Many laptop CPU's might use this. (Pentium-M, AMD PowerNow, Transmetta, Intel SpeedStep, Athlon-64?) cupsd, cups-config-daemon Used for printing. Allow these only if you have CUPS compatible printer that works in Fedora. gpm This is the console mouse pointer (no graphics). Leave enabled for runlevel 3, but probably not needed for runlevel 5. iptables This is the standard Linux software firewall. Learn to set this up if you are directly connected to internet. Not needed if you use a hardware firewall (D-Link, Netgear, Linksys, etc). isdn Another form of internet connect service/hardware. I do not use this hardware. kudzu This runs the hardware probe, and optionally configures changed hardware. If you swap hardware or need to detect hardware you can leave this enabled, however if you do not, you can disable this and run it only when necessary. lm_sensors This monitors motherboard sensor values useful for watching realtime values for PC health, etc. This is also popular with 'GKrellM' users. More information on lm_sensors homepage. I personally do not find this valuable or necessary. mDNSResponder, nifd, autoipd This is part of zeroconf and is useful for detecting devices and their names on local network without a DNS server. Some devices support this feature as well as Apple OS X. Although this is getting more popular, I do not use this on my network. mdmonitor I do not have a Software RAID. messagebus This is an IPC (Interprocess Communication) service for Linux. I highly recommend leaving this enabled. netfs This is used for automatic mounting of any shared network file space such as NFS, Samba, etc on bootup. Useful if you connect to another server your network. I have this disabled. nfs,nfslock I do not use NFS. This the standard network file sharing for Unix/Linux/BSD. ntpd Automatically updates system time from the internet. Mentioned in the installation process. pcmcia Removable slot hardware support used primarily on laptops. rhnsd Service to inform you of updates from Redhat/Fedora. I only update sparingly when necessary. I have this disabled. rpcgssd, rpcidmapd, rpcsvcgssd Used for NFS v4. If you do not have other Unix/Linux machines this unneeded. sendmail Most people do not need a mail transport agent. If you check your mail on the web (hotmail/yahoo) or you use a mail program (imap/pop) in Thunderbird, Mozilla, Kmail, Evolution, etc. then you do not need sendmail. sshd SSH allows other people to log into your computer from another computer on your network. This is not needed if you have no other computers or no need to login from a remote location (work etc.). DO NOT DISABLE THE FOLLOWING (unless you know what you are doing). acpid, haldaemon, messagebus, klogd, network, portmap, syslogd, xinetd
30 November 2005 http://macromedia.mplug.org/ Current Version: 7.0.61 (11/08/2005) RPM Version: 7.0.61-1 (11/08/2005) Fedora Core flash-plugin (apt, yum rpm) file: flash-plugin-7.0.61-1.i386.rpm [root@charon fc4]# rpm -ivh flash-plugin-7.0.61-1.i386.rpm Preparing... ########################################### [100%] 1:flash-plugin ########################################### [100%] Make sure you are logged into the X server (init 5, runlevel 5) and do not have Mozilla or FireFox open when you install the RPM. Make sure to (read) accept the agreement.
2 October 2005 NOTE: Fedora Core 4 advises AGAINST using the Sun Java RPM. Information can be read in the FC4 Release Notes on Java. However if you do not use the FC4 Java packages, this should not affect you. URL: http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp Choose the LATEST JRE Update, currently 5: JRE 5.0 Update 5 includes the JVM technology The J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications. More info... Download JRE 5.0 Update 5 Make sure to accept the License Agreement Choose: Linux Platform Linux self-extracting file (jre-1_5_0_05-linux-i586.bin, 15.87 MB) Run: [root@charon fc4]# sh jre-1_5_0_05-linux-i586.bin [root@charon fc4]# mv jre1.5.0_05 /opt/jre1.5 [root@charon fc4]# ln -s /opt/jre1.5/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/libjavaplugin_oji.so (If you update the JRE package, simply delete the /opt/jre1.5 directory and copy the update to /opt/jre1.5 -- there will be no need to update the 'ln' link.) --- Controlling Java through 'alternatives'. When running the 'java' command, FC4 will automatically pick the FC4 GNU Java, to use Sun's java do the following: [root@charon fc4]# /usr/sbin/alternatives --install /usr/bin/java java /opt/jre1.5/bin/java 2 [root@charon fc4]# echo 2 | alternatives --config java [root@charon fc4]# java -version java version "1.5.0_05" Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_05-b05) Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_05-b05, mixed mode, sharing) --- NOTE: Depending on your use of Java in FC4, you may still choose to use the RPM, the original notes (using Update 3) are here: Linux Platform Linux RPM in self-extracting file (jre-1_5_0_03-linux-i586-rpm.bin, 15.28 MB) Run: [root@charon fc4]# sh jre-1_5_0_03-linux-i586-rpm.bin [root@charon fc4]# rpm -ivh jre-1_5_0_03-linux-i586.rpm (this step WAS NOT necessary for me) [root@charon fc4]# ln -s /usr/java/jre1.5.0_03/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/libjavaplugin_oji.so
15 June 2005 Settings, for EVERY user: EDIT /etc/X11/Xresources ADD at the END: xterm*visualBell: true xterm*background: Black xterm*foreground: Wheat xterm_color*background: Black xterm_color*foreground: Wheat xterm*scrollBar: true xterm*ttyModes: erase ^? (The last line is to fix the backspace key in FC4 for xterm and vi, vim applications). To reload Xresources, run: [mirandam@charon ~]$ xrdb -merge /etc/X11/Xresources or simply restart the X-server.
11 May 2004 Settings, for EVERY user: EDIT /etc/bashrc ADD to the END of the file: # alias interactive alias rm='rm -i' alias cp='cp -i' alias mv='mv -i' These prevent common errors of deleting or overwriting files.
5 June 2004 Make sure you have Samba installed in the installation process. EDIT /etc/samba/smb.conf Set your Windows Workgroup name in [global] section. Added shares at the end of the file: [media] path = /mnt/media public = yes writable = no [work] path = /mnt/work public = yes writable = yes If 'writable' the location need to be writable in Linux first. Example: NTFS is not writable in Linux. If home data (all work in /home/username) is to be accessible, then set 'browseable = yes' under [homes] (~line 188). Run samba check for errors: /etc/init.d/smb start Use chkconfig or serviceconf to enable samba (smb) in both runlevels 3 and 5. [root@charon samba]# chkconfig --list smb smb 0:off 1:off 2:off 3:off 4:off 5:off 6:off [root@charon samba]# chkconfig --level 35 smb on [root@charon samba]# chkconfig --list smb smb 0:off 1:off 2:off 3:on 4:off 5:on 6:off Add users who can access these shares with the 'smbpasswd' command. This does NOT need to match your Linux password. This should be the login name and password you use from Windows when accessing your Linux computer. [root@charon samba]# smbpasswd -a username New SMB password: Retype new SMB password: Added user username. (Note: 'username' must be a valid account on the machine) Restart Samba for every change to users/passwords or 'smb.conf' [root@charon samba]# /etc/init.d/smb restart Shutting down SMB services: [ OK ] Shutting down NMB services: [ OK ] Starting SMB services: [ OK ] Starting NMB services: [ OK ]
12 June 2005 Either recompile your kernel for NTFS read support. (Hard) Or obtain the matching the proper kernel module. Again make sure you have the correct version (example similar to: 2.6.11-1.1369_FC4). Use the 'uname -rm' command for more information. Go to http://www.linux-ntfs.org/content/view/129/65/ for the module/rpm. Go to http://www.linux-ntfs.org/content/view/127/63/ for the instructions. [root@charon fc4]# uname -rm 2.6.11-1.1369_FC4 i686 I selected '2.6.11-1.1369_FC4' 'i686' for my Athlon-XP computer. Both parts MUST match. [root@charon fc4]# rpm -ivh kernel-module-ntfs-2.6.11-1.1369_FC4-2.1.22-0.rr.6.0.i686.rpm Preparing... ########################################### [100%] 1:kernel-module-ntfs-2.6.########################################### [100%] To allow access to NTFS partitions you must (1) check how many partitions you have, (2) create mount points, (3) mount partitions, and (4) update fstab to mount at next boot. Check Partitions Check how many NTFS partitions you have: [root@charon fc4]# fdisk -lu /dev/hda | grep NTFS /dev/hda1 * 63 16771859 8385898+ 7 HPFS/NTFS /dev/hda2 16771860 33543719 8385930 7 HPFS/NTFS /dev/hda3 33752628 67312349 16779861 7 HPFS/NTFS Usually the first will be C drive, next D, etc. Create Mount Points Instead of /media/, you can also use /mnt/, both will work, but make sure to make the correct edits in all places. [root@charon fc4]# cd /media/ [root@charon media]# mkdir c_drive [root@charon media]# mkdir d_drive [root@charon media]# mkdir e_drive You don't have to use these names, if you prefer to creat folders such as movies, documents, or winxp, any name will work (without spaces). Mount Partitions Run 'man mount' to fully explain what "-r -o umask=0222" does. [root@charon media]# mount /dev/hda1 /media/c_drive/ -t ntfs -r -o umask=0222 [root@charon media]# mount /dev/hda2 /media/d_drive/ -t ntfs -r -o umask=0222 [root@charon media]# mount /dev/hda3 /media/e_drive/ -t ntfs -r -o umask=0222 Update /etc/fstab Open '/etc/fstab' in an editor and add these lines to the END of the file: /dev/hda1 /media/c_drive ntfs ro,defaults,umask=0222 0 0 /dev/hda2 /media/d_drive ntfs ro,defaults,umask=0222 0 0 /dev/hda3 /media/e_drive ntfs ro,defaults,umask=0222 0 0 NOTE for FAT32 users Insted of 'NTFS' above you can use 'VFAT' to mount your FAT32 partitions. No extra modules or download are needed. Just replace 'vfat' for 'ntfs' when mounting and when editting '/etc/fstab'. FAT32 read and write is supported. If you wish to mount read/write, then use: '-rw' when Mounting Partitions, and 'rw,defaults,umask=0000 0 0' when editing '/etc/fstab'.
12 June 2005 Download RealPlayer 10.0 GOLD: http://www.real.com/linux/ Select: "Download RPM Package" NOTE: If you have RealPlayer 8 or older installed please read Fedora Core 2 - RealPlayer. NOTE: You can have both HelixPlayer and RealPlayer installed, however I strongly recommend using RealPlayer over HelixPlayer. Check for HelixPlayer: [root@charon fc4]# rpm -q HelixPlayer HelixPlayer-1.0.4-4 Uninstall HelixPlayer: [root@charon fc4]# rpm -e HelixPlayer Install RealPlayer 10 GOLD: [root@charon fc4]# rpm -ivh RealPlayer10GOLD.rpm Preparing... ########################################### [100%] 1:RealPlayer ########################################### [100%] PROBLEM: Since RealPlayer is compiled in GCC 3.2 and FC4 uses and links to GCC 4.0, you will need compat-libstdc++-33 RPM. This file is found on CD3 of the Fedora Core 4 disks. [root@charon fc4]# rpm -ivh compat-libstdc++-33-3.2.3-47.fc4.i386.rpm ---- (IF NECESSARY) Reset Mozilla/Firefox Plugin Cache. This must be done for EVERY user. Mozilla: [mirandam@charon ~]$ rm ~/.mozilla/pluginreg.dat FireFox: [mirandam@charon ~]$ rm ~/.mozilla/firefox/pluginreg.dat RealPlayer/HelixPlayer Forums: https://helixcommunity.org/forum/?group_id=154
06 November 2004 EDIT /etc/sysconfig/desktop Default Login to KDE: Fedora by default makes everyone login to Gnome. If you prefer everyone to login to KDE by default. CHANGE from DESKTOP="GNOME" to: DESKTOP="KDE" KDE Login Manager: Fedora by default uses the Gnome Login Manager (gdm). If you prefer to use the KDE Login Manager (kdm). ADD the line: DISPLAYMANAGER="KDE" Changing Preferences: You can change the preferences for login managers. For Gnome/gdm: Run 'gdmsetup' For KDE/kdm: Run the KDE Control Center > System Administration > Login Manager.
2 October 2005
Fedora no longer ships with the kernel-source RPM. You must install it
separately. This is NOT needed unless you wish to re-compile your
kernel.
Kernel Headers (kernel-devel)
If you need to install a driver (Nvidia, ndiswrapper, Cisco VPN, etc.) that
requires kernel sources, it may be sufficient to install just the kernel headers
package (kernel-devel RPM). This can be found on CD4, the DVD or online. If you
have updated your kernel (using yum or up2date), then use yum to install the
package ('yum install kernel-devel'). Make sure to match your current kernel
version (read below for the 'uname' command).
The default kernel source can be found through any mirror. Look in the
directory "/4/i386/os/SRPMS/". An example from Fedora:
http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/core/4/i386/os/SRPMS/.
If you are using an updated kernel you can also look in the update directory
on most Fedora mirror sites. For example:
http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/core/updates/4/SRPMS/.
If you wish you you can obtain the source of your current running kernel.
Use the 'uname' command.
[root@charon fc4]# uname -r
2.6.11-1.1369_FC4
Select: kernel-2.6.11-1.1369_FC4.src.rpm 03-Jun-2005 13:32 41M
Install:
[root@charon fc4]# rpm -ivh kernel-2.6.11-1.1369_FC4.src.rpm
1:kernel ########################################### [100%]
Set it up:
[root@charon fc4]# rpmbuild -bp --target=noarch /usr/src/redhat/SPECS/kernel-2.6.spec
The source files will be properly located in '/usr/src/redhat/BUILD/kernel-2.6.11/'
This is clearly explained in the FC4 Release Notes - Kernel.
General instructions to recompile a 2.6.x kernel in Fedora can be found in
my Fedora Core 4 Kernel Compile Notes.
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