Complete Arch Linux Installation, Part 1: Install & Configure Arch

"How do I install Arch Linux?" That question was bound to come up eventually. And with me using Arch, it's no coincidence that all of you want to use it as well. Arch is arguably the best Linux distro available. Distros that come close are Gentoo and some aspects of Ubuntu, but Arch is meant for building your OS from the inside out. Arch is built around minimalism, so you won't get anything by default. It doesn't even come with sound!

Linux is not for everyone, though.

I'm a programmer, hacking enthusiast, and open-source buff, so Linux is very appealing to me. It's a great deal faster than Windows, and more secure than any other OS out there. A custom, clean, and fast OS built from the ground up is a very satisfying thing to accomplish and run. I only owned a computer for a year before making the permanent switch from Windows 7, so you might have a hard time missing a few of the features in Windows or Mac. However, I assure you that Linux can do anything that both of those platforms can do—just as good or even better.

In this Null Byte, we will be installing Arch and covering all aspects of it. This first article covers the installation. The second part will be customization and glamor. I will be using a Virtual Machine on a host computer so I can record the whole process. We will go over the whole installation from CD to graphical interface and even dual booting with Windows or Mac. We will also cover all of the configurations in-between.

Requirements

• Arch Linux on a CD. You can get it from the site here.
• Ethernet internet access.
• Some time on your hands.
• Hard drive space (5GB or more).
• If you want to dual boot with Windows, first resize your partitions to make space for Arch with this guide.

Video

Pop the Arch Linux CD into your disc tray and boot from it. Let's get started.

Commands

• /arch/setup

If you are doing a dualboot with Windows, install Arch to where you made the /boot partition.

Be sure to check out the second part of this guide! Also, try to jump in the Null Byte IRC. It's a place we can all chat, learn, and have fun!

Image by Belhor_