Slackware is on the list of Linux distros I would like to give a try to. Wondering if I'll be able to install this OS by downloading its ISO image?.. (I don't have a CD-burner) If so, how to create or where to get an image file for istall floppy from? Thanks a lot

An ISO, is an image of the CD, so you would have to burn the ISO to the CD, before you can run it. You need to try to find the RIP. This is usually A LOT of files in a few DIR's in an FTP.

Rob, that was my impression too, until I read today this: RedHat 7.1 from a hard drive Installation Instructions. After downloading (what I thought was) everything needed for installation from their FTP server, I found out that I wouldn't be able to use the stuff after all... :|

You may be able to buy a chap CD by mail - there's a list of vendors posted above in the forum. Or, if you join a local Linux User Group (LUG - they are all over the world) someone will probably give you a CD.

Slackware offers you the ability of downloading bootdisks from there ftp servers. They also offers several packages which can be used for installation. These are not iso images so you can just put them on your harddrive boot from the floppy you created and install it. But if you have the iso image which you would like to use then all you have to do is boot from disk. Once linux has been started mount your harddrive. Then mount the iso image using a loopback device and run the installation from the iso which is the contents of the CD. Installing redhat is even easier because they have an option in their setup when you run the installation bootdisk to install from harddrive. All you have to do is indicate where the iso images are located and it mounts them for you so you can continue installing. I'm curious which files you downloaded from the redhat ftp servers. Since for redhat 7.1 the only ones available are the iso images. Mik

Hi, Mik Yes, I know, but unfortunately I learned about that only after I already downloaded the stuff I thought I would need for the installation... What did I download? Well, let's see... All the files in the /base folder, and selected files from /RPMS in accordance with the /base/comps specifications. I really cannot understand why the option of installing from copied files has been taken away, what a weird thing... I have 7.0 CD (some editor's edition) and tried installing it by coping the very same folders to the hard drive and it works! So, no clue as to why people should no longer have this ability... Thanks a lot for your advise on Slackware... The thing is that for some weird reason I seem to be unable to establish a reliable connection to Slackware FTP servers, whereas it looks that I'll be able to download an .iso image. Jim, thanks for your advise too, I know the CDs are cheap, but it's not all about money -- I found out that I learn so much more about computers when I have a challange to overcome! Besides, I spend a lot of time on-line, so I don't really mind downloading... Of course, if everything else fails I'll buy a CD! :)

I went to www.slackware.com, downloaded the 3 .iso files (Install, Source, and Extra) Unfortunately when attempting to burn the file with Nero (i also tried NTI CD-Maker Pro) all i got was a lifetime supply of coasters...needless to say, any help with burning these 3 iso files would be a great deed and i would appreciate it very much. Also, please let me know if there is any other way to put any Linux download on cd, and if i even go tthe right files!! thanx ~bi0phreak~