!!! Various ways to install Vector Linux (since VL 5.0 only)
------------------------------------------------------------

Allright, you got the computer, and you want Vector Linux on it.
Easy. Just prepare the install MEDIA, then choose an install METHOD.

Install MEDIA is where the soon to be installed VL resides.
There are 3 MEDIA options:
# ISO files: download it from VL sites, and use it directly.
  You only need to spare some space on the harddisk.
# CDROM: burn the ISO file into a CDROM using CD-writer.
  No need for extra harddisk space, but you must have a CDROM-drive.
# VECLINUX directory: copy the /veclinux directory from the CDROM 
  to the harddisk. This is the old way, use the ISO media instead.

On the other hand, there are 5 install method using:
# Bootable CDROM.
# Bootable Floppy DISK.
# Windows HOST.
# Another Linux HOST.
# VL install partition.

You can use any MEDIA with any METHOD. Thus mathematically,
there are 3x5=15 ways of installing Vector Linux.
We will elaborate 6 popular choices:
* CDROM + bootable CDROM.
* CDROM + bootable floppy disk.
* CDROM + Linux HOST.
* ISO + Windows HOST.
* ISO + Linux HOST.

The fifth method (VL install partition) is not explained
because it is pointless for end users. Only Vectelopers
that do a lot of installation testing would be interested.

----------------------------------------
!! PREPARING the MEDIA

! ISO FILE
Download the iso*-VER.iso and the iso*-VER.iso.md5
from Vector Linux site, or any mirror.

To make sure the iso file is valid, do checksum as follow.
On Linux:
<pre>
md5sum iso*-VER.iso iso*-VER.iso.md5
mv iso*-VER.iso /
</pre>

On Windows, download the md5 utility. Then open a DOS-Prompt:
<pre>
md5sum iso*-VER.iso iso*-VER.iso.md5
cp iso*-VER.iso C:\
</pre>

! CDROM
The recomended way to get a CDROM is by ordering 
it from Vector Linux store.
That will save you a lot of money of not buying a CD-writer,
and help www.vectorlinux.com staying alive ;-)

Of course, if you have a CD-writer around, it is cheaper
to burn one by your self. Fell free to download the ISO File,
then burn it using a burning tool program.

On Linux: (* to be written)
 
On Windows: (* to be written)


! VECLINUX DIRECTORY
This was the old method. You should copy the /veclinux directory
with all of its contents (SETUP.conf, veclinux.bz2, etc) from the
VL CDROM to the top directory of any harddisk partition.
However, if you have the ISO file, there is no reason to 
use this method anymore.

------------------------------

!! INSTALLATION SCENARIO

! CDROM + BOOTABLE CDROM
Arguably, the most normal way to install Vector Linux.
You can use this method if:
* You got the VL CDROM as the MEDIA.
* Your computer have a boot capable CD-drive.

To start kicking, simply:
* Make sure your computer will boot from the CD.
  You can enable this from the BIOS setup.
* Insert the CDROM in the CD-drive.
* Boot the computer.

The INSTALLATION will start, and automatically find 
the CDROM as the media. Couldn't be easier.

! CDROM + BOOTABLE FLOPPY DISK
This is a little bit sweaty. The reason you have to use this method are:
* You got the VL CDROM as the MEDIA
* Unfortunatelly, your CD-drive is not boot capable.
* You don't have DOS/Windows or any Linux running on the computer.
  If you do skip to the next method.
* Fortunatelly, you can boot from the floppy-disk drive (FD-drive).

So, we must make an VL install floppy disk.
You can make it on a Linux host or a Windows host
(might be other computer, not necessarilly the same as
the target computer).

On Linux: (* to be written)

On Windows: (* to be written)

After you have the install FD, go to the target computer and start:
* Make sure your computer boots from the floppy first.
  Please check the BIOS setup.
* Insert the install FD in the FD-drive.
* Insert the VL CDROM in CD-drive.
* Boot the computer

The INSTALLATION should start and find the CDROM as the media.
 
! CDROM + Windows HOST
This method suits Windows users that lack bootable CDROM.
You should have:
* VL CDROM and the CD-drive.
* Windows is running well, and could accept another bride :)

For preparation, copy this from the CDROM:
* /install/loadlin.exe, copy it to C:\loadlin 
* /isolinux/initrd.img, copy it to C:\loadlin
* /isolinux/kernel/ide (or scsi), copy it to C:\loadlin

After everything is in place, let's the bride comes:
* Shutdown Windows to DOS mode.
* cd C:\loadlin
* loadlin ide initrd=initrd.gz 

! CDROM + Linux HOST
This method is for users that do not have boot capable CD-drive, but :
* VL CDROM and the CD-drive.
* A Linux host is running well.

Theoretically, the Linux host could be any distro, 
as long as it runs kernel 2.4.x or kernel 2.6.x and has the bash.
Note however, this method has been tested on Slackware and Vector 
Linux only. Accept our appologizes if this does not work for you.

The installation should be done in a very basic condition.
Therefore, make sure you stop the X-Windows and background services.
For example:
<pre>
# switch to run level 3,2 or 1 to kill X-Windows
init 2

# stop services
service apache stop
</pre>

It is better if you boot the Linux host on single user mode.
Reboot the Linux, then on LILO or GRUB menu, enter:
<pre>
boot: linux single
</pre>

On the console, login as root, then copy the vinstall file as follow:
<pre>

## Make vinstall directory
mkdir -p /var/log/setup/vinstall
cd /var/log/setup/vinstall

## mount the CDROM
mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom

## copy the necessary tools
cp -a /mnt/cdrom/install/vinstall/* .
cp -a /mnt/cdrom/isolinux/initrd.img .

## umount the CDROM
umount /mnt/cdrom

## Now we are ready to start the installation. 
./vinstall initrd.img
</pre>


! ISO + Windows HOST
This is the new method that will save you a CDROM burning.
You should have Windows running well on the computer.
Go to Vector Linux FTP site, download the following files:
* the ISO file, put it on top level directory (C:\, D:\, etc).
* install/loadlin/loadlin.exe to C:\loadlin
* isolinux/initrd.img to C:\loadlin
* isolinux/kernel/ide to C:\loadlin

Then here we go:
* Shutdown Windows to DOS mode.
* cd C:\loadlin
* loadlin ide initrd=initrd.gz 

! ISO + Linux HOST
If you have another Linux running well on the computer,
this gonna be a piece of cake:
* Download the VL ISO, put it to /var/log/setup/vinstall.
* Download install/vinstall/vinstall-iso, to /var/log/setup/vinstall

Make sure the host is not running X-Window and services
(see the CDROM + Linux host method).
Then here is the cake:
<pre>
## Go to vinstall directory
cd /var/log/setup/vinstall

## Now install using the ISO
./vinstall-iso vl-5.0.iso
</pre>