A fresh install Fedora Core 2 Guide for Novices

A fresh install Fedora Core 2 Guide for Novices

URL: http://kitech.com.my/fedoraguide/index.html

I have just acquired http://www.fedoraguide.org and will be moving this page there soon (estimated 13th June 2004). Currently working on a few more topics before uploading it. At this moment, I do not have any big plans for it yet, but if anyone has anything to suggest, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Got some feedbacks regarding 3rd Party Programs Guide, of "why not use yum or apt?" Answer is simple, I'm showing an alternative way for those users who does not have broadband access, so that they can download the packages elsewhere and then install it manually. Anyway, since there are so many feedbacks regarding this, I'll be adding that apt and yum method in soon. There are so many topics that I want to include, so please be patients! I'm only doing this at my own spare time.

One more thing, just to let you all know. I've only pickup linux (fedora) since april 2004, therefor I might not be aware of many things and the most efficient way of doing things. So please forgive my ignorance!

Revision: 1.08 (Last updated on 9th June 2004)

Disclaimer

This document is freely distributable in its complete form so long as all appropriate credit is provided, including author's name and original URL. The author makes no claim to the accuracy of the information provided. This information is provided in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY. Use this information at your own risk. Always make proper backups and use caution when modifying critical system files.

Notes

1) Guide is tested on a custom full installation of Fedora Core 2 running on GNOME
2) Installations and Configurations are made with "root" user login
3) Updates and 3rd Party Programs are downloaded and installed manually without using (up2date, apt, yum)
4) To download file, right click on the link and select "Save Link Target as..."
5) Save the downloaded files into respective folder, so that you do not have to re-download it again
6) If there are broken link(s), try download at "*Link(s) collected from: Here"
7) If you see "#", means you have to execute the command in console mode (right click -> "Open Terminal")
8) Any feedbacks and suggestions are most welcome. Email me

Topics

Updates Guide
    1) Where to download the official updates?
    2) How to install the official updates?
3rd Party Programs Guide
    1) How to install Flash Plug-in for Mozilla?
    2) How to install Java (JRE)?
    3) How to install Java (JRE) Plug-in for Mozilla?
    4) How to install MP3 Plug-in for XMMS?
    5) How to install Video Player (MPlayer 1.0)?
    6) How to install Video Player (Mplayer 1.0) Plug-in for Mozilla?
    7) How to install DVD Player (Ogle 0.9.2)?
    8) How to install DVD Ripper (dvd::rip 0.50.18)?
    9) How to install P2P Client (aMule 2.0.0)?
Networking Guide
    1) How to enable file sharing using Samba?
    2) How to configure file sharing using Samba?
    3) How to mount a network folder manually?
    4) How to mount a network folder on boot-up?
    5) How to allow non root users to read / write mounted network folder?
Rescue Mode Guide
    1) How to make a boot disk?
    2) How to gain root access without login?
    3) How to use Fedora Core 2 Rescue CD, to gain root access?
    4) How to modify kernel arguments before booting, to gain root access?
    5) How to change root password, if forgotten?
    6) How to change Grub password, if forgotten?
Security Guide
    1) What are the basic things that I need to know about securing my Fedora Core 2?
    2) How to set Grub password?
    3) How to disable Ctrl + Alt + Del from restarting computer?
Tweaks Guide
    1) How to open each folder in the same window for Nautilus?

Updates Guide

How to install the official updates?
1) Get the official updates "Where to download the official updates?"
2) Download the official updates into their respective folders categorized by date
3) Install the official updates, starting from:
    3a) # cd 2004-05-10
4) Test the packages:
    4a) # rpm -Fvh --nosignature --test *.rpm
5) If there are no errors, install the packages:
    5a) # rpm -Fvh --nosignature *.rpm
6) Continue install all packages based on date, from the oldest to the latest till complete
7) Done!

3rd Party Programs Guide

How to install Flash Plug-in for Mozilla?
1) Reference:
    http://macromedia.mplug.org
2) Download:
    flash-plugin-7.0.25-1.i386.rpm
    *Link(s) collected from: Here
3) Install:
    3a) # rpm -ivh --nosignature flash-plugin-7.0.25-1.i386.rpm
4) Done!

How to install Java (JRE)?
1) Reference:
    http://java.sun.com/j2se
2) Download:
    j2re-1_4_2_04-linux-i586-rpm.bin
    *Link(s) collected from: Here
3) Install:
    3a) # chmod 700 j2re-1_4_2_04-linux-i586-rpm.bin
    3b) # ./j2re-1_4_2_04-linux-i586-rpm.bin
    3c) # rpm -ivh --nosignature j2re-1_4_2_04-linux-i586.rpm
4) Modify file /etc/profile:
    4a) # gedit /etc/profile
    4b) Append into the last line of file:
        PATH=$PATH:/usr/java/j2re1.4.2_04/bin
    4c) Save the edited file
5) Restart:
    5a) # shutdown -r now
6) Done!

How to install Java (JRE) Plug-in for Mozilla?
1) Reference:
    http://java.sun.com/j2se
2) Follow the instructions "How to install Java (JRE)?"
3) Set:
    3a) # ln -s /usr/java/j2re1.4.2_04/plugin/i386/ns610-gcc32/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/
    3b) # ln -s /usr/java/j2re1.4.2_04/plugin/i386/ns610-gcc32/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/lib/mozilla-1.6/plugins/
4) Done!

How to install MP3 Plug-in for XMMS?
1) Reference:
    http://www.xmms.org
2) Download:
    xmms-mp3-1.2.10-0.lvn.2.2.i386.rpm
    *Link(s) collected from: Here
3) Install:
    3a) # rpm -ivh --nosignature xmms-mp3-1.2.10-0.lvn.2.2.i386.rpm
4) Done!

How to install Video Player (Mplayer 1.0) Plug-in for Mozilla?
1) Reference:
    http://mplayerplug-in.sourceforge.net
2) Follow the instructions "How to install Video Player (MPlayer 1.0)?"
3) Download:
    mplayerplug-in-2.60-fc1.i386.rpm
    *Link(s) collected from: Here
4) Install:
    4a) # rpm -ivh --nosignature mplayerplug-in-2.60-fc1.i386.rpm
5) Done!

Networking Guide

How to enable file sharing using Samba?
1) Program to configure Security Level Configuration is at:
    1a) Fedora -> System Settings -> Security Level
2) In Security Level Configuration:
    2a) Security Level = Enable firewall
    2b) Trusted devices = eth0 (tick the checkbox next to it)
    2c) Press "OK"
3) To enable Samba service:
    3a) # chkconfig smb on
4) Start Samba service:
    4a) # service smb start
5) Done!

How to configure file sharing using Samba?
1) Follow the instructions "How to enable file sharing using Samba?"
2) Create Public folder:
    2a) # mkdir /home/public
    2b) # chmod 777 /home/public
3) Program to configure Samba Server Configuration is at:
    3a) Fedora -> System Settings -> Server Settings -> Samba
4) In Samba Server Configuration, to configure Server Settings:
    4a) Form to configure Server Settings is at:
        Preferences -> Server Settings...
    4b) Basic Tab:
        Workgroup = "mygroup"
        Description = "Samba Server"
    4c) Security Tab:
        Authentication Mode: Share
        Encrypt Passwords: Yes
        Guess Account: nobody
    4d) Press "OK"
5) In Samba Server Configuration, to configure Create Samba Share:
    5a) Form to configure Create Samba Share is at:
        File -> Add Share
    5b) Basic Tab:
        Directory: /home/public
        Basic Permissions: Read / Write
    5c) Access Tab:
        Allow Access to everyone (select the radiobutton next to it)
    5d) Press "OK"
6) Done!

How to mount a network folder manually?
1) Create a folder:
1a) # mkdir /mnt/my_network_shares
2) E.g. Network computer's IP: 192.168.0.1, Shared folder's name: linux
3) Mount the network folder:
3a) # mount //192.168.0.1/linux /mnt/my_network_shares -t smbfs -o username=myusername,password=mypassword
4) Done!

How to mount a network folder on boot-up?
1) Create a folder:
    1a) # mkdir /mnt/my_network_shares
2) E.g. Network computer's IP: 192.168.0.1, Shared folder's name: linux
3) Modify file /etc/fstab:
    3a) # gedit /etc/fstab
    3b) Append into the last line of file:
        //192.168.0.1/linux /mnt/my_network_shares smbfs username=myusername,password=mypassword,uid=0,gid=0 0 0
    3c) Save the edited file
4) Restart:
    4a) # shutdown -r now
5) Done!

How to allow non root users to read / write mounted network folder?
1) Create a folder:
    1a) # mkdir /mnt/my_network_shares
2) E.g. Network computer's IP: 192.168.0.1, Shared folder's name: linux
3) Modify file /etc/fstab:
    3a) # gedit /etc/fstab
    3b) Append into the last line of file:
        //192.168.0.1/linux /mnt/my_network_shares smbfs username=myusername,password=mypassword,uid=99,gid=99,dmask=777,fmask=777 0 0
    3c) Save the edited file
4) Restart:
    4a) # shutdown -r now
5) Done!

Rescue Mode Guide

How to make a boot disk?
1) Get the kernel version:
    1a) # uname -r
        2.6.5-1.358
2) Make boot disk:
    2a) # mkbootdisk 2.6.5-1.358
3) Done!

How to gain root access without login?
1) Two common methods:
1a) Follow the instructions "How to use Fedora Core 2 Rescue CD, to gain root access?"
1b) Follow the instructions "How to modify kernel arguments before booting, to gain root access?"
2) Done!

How to use Fedora Core 2 Rescue CD, to gain root access?
1) Insert Fedora Core 2 Rescue CD:
    1a) At boot menu, press "Enter" key
2) If you do not have Fedora Core 2 Rescue CD, insert Fedora Core 2 CD 1:
    2a) At boot menu type "linux rescue":
    2b) Press "Enter" key
3) Follow the instructions until you see the command prompt, "sh-2.05b#"
4) To enable root mode:
    4a) sh-2.05b# chroot /mnt/sysimage
5) You have root access now
6) Done!

How to modify kernel arguments before booting, to gain root access?
1) When you boot your computer, it will show Grub boot up menu
2) If a Grub password is not set for Grub boot up menu, skip to step 3, else:
    2a) To unlock Grub boot up menu, press "p" to enter Grub password
3) Press "a" to modify the kernel arguments before booting
4) You should see:
    4a) grub append> ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
5) Add "1" to the end of the arguments:
    5a) grub append> ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet 1
    5b) Press "Enter" key
6) Wait until you see the command prompt, "sh-2.05b#"
7) You have root access now
8) Done!

How to change root password, if forgotten?
1) Follow the instructions "How to gain root access without login?"
2) To change root password:
2a) sh-2.05b# passwd root
3) Done!

How to change Grub password, if forgotten?
1) Follow the instructions "How to set Grub password?"
2) Done!

Security Guide

What are the basic things that I need to know about securing my Fedora Core 2?
1) Ensure hard drive is first in BIOS boot up sequence
    1a) To prevent trespassers from using Rescue CD which allows them to have root access
    1b) To prevent trespassers from using Live CD (e.g. KNOPPIX) which allows them to browse and share the entire hard drive
    1c) To prevent trespassers from installing another Operating System
2) Ensure a password is set for BIOS
    2a) To prevent trespassers from changing the BIOS boot up sequence
3) Ensure a password is set for Grub boot up menu
    3a) To prevent trespassers from modifying kernel boot up arguments which allows them to have root access
    3b) Follow the instructions "How to set Grub password?"
4) For day to day usage, login as a normal user
    4a) To prevent accidental modification and deletion of system files
5) Disable Cltr + Alt + Del, which by default restarts the system
    5a) Follow the instructions "How to disable Ctrl + Alt + Del from restarting computer?"
6) Done!

How to set Grub password?
1) Enter grub mode:
    1a) # grub
    1b) Use md5crypt to encrypt password:
        grub> md5crypt
        Password: ******
        Encrypted: $1$jxcdN0$hVHViq1aiPf8FziuGJGZp0
2) Modify file /etc/grub.conf:
    2a) # gedit /etc/grub.conf
    2b) Insert encrypted password in between "splashimage" and "title":
        default=0
        timeout=10
        splashimage=(hd0,0)/boot/grub/splash.xpm.gz
        password --md5 $1$jxcdN0$hVHViq1aiPf8FziuGJGZp0
        title Fedora Core (2.6.5-1.358)
        root (hd0,0)
        kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.5-1.358 ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
        initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.5-1.358.img
    2c) Save edited file
3) Done!

How to disable Ctrl + Alt + Del from restarting computer?
1) Modify file /etc/inittab:
    1a) # gedit /etc/inittab
    1b) Comment out by putting a "#" in front:
        #ca::ctrlaltdel:/sbin/shutdown -t3 -r now
    1c) Save the edited file
2) Restart:
    2a) # shutdown -r now
3) Done!

Tweaks Guide

How to open each folder in the same window for Nautilus?
1) Program to configure GConf editor is at:
    1a) Fedora -> System Tools -> Configuration Editor
2) In GConf editor:
    2a) Find key:
        /apps/nautilus/preferences
    2b) Set:
        always_use_browser (tick the checkbox next to it)
3) Close GConf editor
4) Restart X-Windows:
    4a) Fedora -> Log Out
    4b) Press "OK"
5) Done!

This is an unofficial Fedora Core 2 guide. Warning!!! I'm a 24/7 full-time novice in everything! Use at your own risk!
Made in Malaysia.

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Created by Chua Wen Kiat