Actual Experiences - Adding linux to New Computer Preloaded with Windows 98

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# 4. Actual Experiences - Adding linux to New Computer Preloaded with Windows 98

Nancy is unfamiliar with keeping a log, so Tom prepared it for her as he unboxed and assembled her new computer. tom also knows that it is far easier to remove the computer case once and record all the model numbers, chipsets, and model types than it is to later open the case to get a single model number or to guess the information that will be later needed. During the computer service life, only 10% of the numbers collected will ever be used, but there is no easy way to predict which 10%.

The following is an extract from Nancy's log. Identidation numbers have been changed and some irrelevant data has been removed. Most of the data came from the invoice that accomapanied the computer and the specifications [Start\Run...\] Open: c:\DELL\DOCS\EDOCS.EXE [OK] that were provided on the computer.

## 4.1. Configuration

A hardcopy of critical portions of this information, master disks, and backup disks is kept in a white binder, located physically close to this host, labelled Nancy System Administration Log.

### 4.1.1. Hardware

Table 9. Hardware

Date | Bay or Slot | Contents
--- | --- | ---
1999-10-21 | Primary Hard Disk Bay | Hard Disk
1999-10-21 | Secondary Hard Disk Bay | empty
1999-10-21 | Diskette Drive Bay | Floppy Disk
1999-10-21 | Drive Cage Top 5.25" Bay | CD Writer
1999-10-21 | Drive Cage Bottom 5.25" Bay | empty
1999-10-21 | Drive Cage Top 3.5" Bay | empty
1999-10-21 | Drive Cage Bottom 3.5" Bay | empty
1999-10-21 | Dimm Socket Bank 0 | RAM
1999-10-21 | Dimm Socket Bank 1 | empty
1999-10-21 | Dirmm Socket Bank 2 | empty
1999-10-21 | Primary EIDE Bus | Hard Disk
1999-10-21 | Secondary EIDE Bus | CD Writer
1999-10-21 | ISA Expansion Slot | empty
1999-10-21 | PCI Expansion Slot 1 | empty
1999-10-21 | PCI Expansion Slot 2 | Modem
1999-10-21 | PCI Expansion Slot 3 | empty
1999-10-21 | PCI Expansion Slot 4 | Sound
1999-10-21 | PCI Expansion Slot 5 | empty
1999-10-21 | AGP Port | Graphics

### 4.1.2. Components

Table 10. Components

Date | Component | Action
--- | --- | ---
1999-10-21 | Case |
    Tower
    Mfr Dell
    Model Dimension XPS Txxx
    M/N MMS
    Mfr Date mmddyy
    P/N 01968D Rev A04
    S/N nnnaa
    DP/N 000338D Rev A00
    DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx
    FCC Class B
1999-10-21 | Dell Dimension XPS Txxx Reference and Troubleshooting Guide |
    Mfr Dell
    Model MMS
    P/N 8868D Rev. A01
1999-10-21 | Central Procssing Unit |
    procssor: 0
    vendor_id: GenuineIntel
    cpu family: 6 (Pentium III)
    model: 7
    model name: 00/07
    stepping: 3
    cpu MHZ: 448.971025
    cache size: 512 KB
    fdiv_bug: no
    hlt_bug: no
    sep_fug: no
    f00f_bug: no
    coma_bug: no
    fpu: yes
    fpu_exception: yes
    cpuid level: 2
    wp: yes
    flags: fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 sep mtrr pge mca
    cmov pat
    bogomips: 447.28
    FCC Class B
1999-10-21 | System Battery |
    CR2032 3.0V
1999-10-21 | System Board |
    DP/N AA722396-109 Rev. A01
    S/N xxxxxxxx-xxxxx-xxx-xxxx
    FCC Class B
1999-10-21 | Hard Disk |
    Primary Hard Disk Bay
    Primary EIDE Bus
    FCC Class B

    Capacity 13.6 GB
    RPM 7200RPM
    LBA 26.712.000 SECTORS
    CYL 1661

    DeskStar
    Mfr IBM Disk Storage Products KFT.
    Model DPTA-371360 IDE/ATA
    MLC F42312
    P/N 31L9151
    DP/N 0003570T-47710-9A2-31TJ
    Rev A00
1999-10-21 | Floppy Disk |
    Diskette Drive Bay
    FCC Class B

    Mfr Sony
    Model MPF920
    S/N xxxxxxxx
    DP/N 0003884D Rev A00
    DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx
1999-10-21 | CD Writer |
    Drive Cage Top "5.25" Bay
    Secondary EIDE Bus
    FCC Class B

    Jumpers
     Reserved
     Reserved
     R Audio Out
     Gnd
     Gnd
     L Audio Out
     CSEL (closed)
     SLAVE (open)
     MASTER (open)
     ATAPI Cable (40-pin keyed)
     Power Supply (IBM 4-pin)

    CDR 4x
    CDRW 4x
    Read 24x

    Mfr Sony
    Model CD-R/RW ATAPI
    M/N CRX100E
    S/N xxxxxx
    DP/N 0002064P Rev A00
    DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx
1999-10-21 | RAM |
    Dimm Socket Bank 0
    FCC Class B

    16Mx 64 MB SDRAM
    Non-ECC
    PC100-222-620
    168-pin

    Mfr Toshiba
    M/N THMY6416H1EG-A0
    S/N xxxxxx/xxxxxxx
1999-10-21 | Modem |
    PCI Expansion Slot 2
    J8 -> Sound Telephone Audio Out
    FCC Class B

    56K
    See CD 3Com U.S.Robotics
    Modem CD-ROM

    USRobotics V.90/56K
    Model 0727
    Mfr 3Com
    Product 3CP3298-DEL
    SN xxxxxxxxxxxx
    DP/N 00046XVP Rev A00
    DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx
1999-10-21 | Sound |
    Montego II
    PCI Expansion Slot 4
    CD IN -> CD Writer Audio Out
    TAO -> Modem J8
    FCC Class B

    Mfr Turtle Beach
    Model A3D 320V
    DP/N 0005931D Rev A00
    DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx
1999-10-21 | Graphics |
    AGP Port
    FCC Class B

    Mfr ATI Technologies Inc
    P/N 1024980311010171
    S/N xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
    DP/N 0000320D Rev A00
    DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx
1999-10-21 | Power Supply |
    FCC Class B
    DP/N 0009228C Rev N02
    DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx
1999-10-21 | Monitor |
    FCC Class B

    17" (15.3" visible)
    Color 1024x768
    See CD Displays by Dell
    Ultrascan P780 Color Monitor

    Mfr Dell Computer, Inc.
    Model UltraScan P780
    P/N 6271R
    S/N xxxxxxxxxxx
1999-10-21 | Speakers |
    Right Analog Input -> Sound ((( )))
    FCC Class B

    Mfr Harmon/Kardon
    Right M/N HK195
    Right P/N 3862A201
    Right DP/N ZL001-98U Rev B
    Right DS/N xxxxx-xx
    Left M/N HK195
    Left DP/N ZL001-98URev B
    Left DS/N xx-xx
    Adapter M/N A41411C
    Adapter P/N HK195-01T
    Adapter Input 60Hz 22W
    Adapter Output 15VAC 1.1A
1999-10-21 | Keyboard |
    QuietKey
    PS/2 Keyboard Connector
    FCC Class B

    Mfr Dell
    DP/N 0004939R Rev A00
    DS/N xxxxx-xxx-xxxx
1999-10-21 | Mouse |
    MS IntelliMouse
    PS/2 Mouse Connector
    FCC Class B

    Mfr Microsoft Inc.
    Model IntelliMouse 1.1A PS/2
    S/N xxxxxxxxx
    DP/N 03235E Rev A00
1999-10-21 | Microphone |
    -> Sound Mic In
    FCC Class B

### 4.1.3. BIOS

Table 11. BIOS

Date | Component | Action
--- | --- | ---
1999-10-21 | Setup Procedure | Restart When Dell splash screen appears, [del] Dell Dimension XPS T450 Setup
1999-10-21 | Main\BIOS Version | A05
1999-10-21 | Main\Processor Type | Pentium(R) III
1999-10-21 | Main\processor Speed | 450 MHz
1999-10-21 | Main\Cache RAM | 512KB
1999-10-21 | Main\Service Tag | zzzzz
1999-10-21 | Main\System memory | 128 MB
1999-10-21 | Main\L2 Cache ECC Support | Auto
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Plug & Play O/S | No
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Reset Configuration Data | No
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\NumLock | Auto
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Serial Port A | Auto
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Parallel Port | Auto
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Mode | ECP
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Peripheral Configuration\Legacy USB Support | Enabled
1999-10-21 | Advanced\IDE Configuration\IDE Controller | Both
1999-10-21 | Advanced\IDE Configuration\Primary IDE Master | IBM-DPTA-371360-(PM)
1999-10-21 | Advanced\IDE Configuration\Primary IDE Slave | None
1999-10-21 | Advanced\IDE Configuration\Secondary IDE Master | CD-RW CRX100E- (SM)
1999-10-21 | Advanced\IDE Configuration\Secondary IDE Slave | None
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Diskette Options\Diskette Controller | Enabled
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Diskette Options\Diskette A | 1.44/1.25 MB 3.5"
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Diskette Options\Diskette Write Protect | Space Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\DMI Event Logging\Event log validity | Valid
1999-10-21 | Advanced\DMI Event Logging\View DMI event log | No unread events
1999-10-21 | Advanced\DMI Event Logging\Clear all DMI event logs | No
1999-10-21 | Advanced\DMI Event Logging\DMI event logging | Enabled
1999-10-21 | Advanced\DMI Event Logging\Mark DMI events as read | No unread events
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Video Configuration\ISA Palette Snooping | Disabled
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Video Configuration\AGP Aperature Size | 64MB
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Video Configuration\Default Primary Video Adapter | AGP
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Resource Configuration\C800-CBFF | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\CC00-CFFF | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\4000-43FF | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\4400-47FF | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\4800-4BFF | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\4C00-4FFF | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 3 | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 4 | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 5 | Reserved
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 7 | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 10 | Available
1999-10-21 | Advanced\Recource Configuration\IRQ 11 | Available
1999-10-21 | Power\Power Management | Enabled
1999-10-21 | Power\Inactivity Timer | Off
1999-10-21 | Power\Hard Drive | Enabled
1999-10-21 | Power\VESA Video Power Down | Standby
1999-10-21 | Boot\Boot-time Diagnostic Screen | Disabled
1999-10-21 | Boot\QuickBoot Mode | Disabled
1999-10-21 | Boot\First Boot Device | Removable Devices
1999-10-21 | Boot\Second Boot Device (obsolete) | Hard Disk
1999-10-21 | Boot\Second Boot Device | ATAPI CD-ROM Driv
1999-10-21 | Boot\Third Boot Device (obsolete) | ATAPI CD-ROM Driv
1999-10-21 | Boot\Third Boot Device | Hard Disk
1999-10-21 | Boot\Fourth Boot Device | Network Drive
1999-10-21 | Boot\Hard Drive\1 | IBM-DPTA-371360-(PM)
1999-10-21 | Boot\Hard Drive\2 | Bootable Add-In Card
1999-10-21 | Boot\Removable Devices\1 | Legacy Floppy Drive

### 4.1.4. Firmware

Table 12. Firmware

Date | Component | Action
--- | --- | ---
1999-10-21 | Partition Table |
    tomsrtbt-1.6.335 (linux-2.0.35)
    bash>/bin/fdisk
    fdisk> p
     Disk /dev/hda: 255 heads, 63 sectors, 1024 cylinders
     Units = cylinders of 16085 * 512 bytes

     Drive     Boot Start   End    Blocks  Id  System
     /dev/hda1  *       1  1662  13349983+ 0c  Win95 FAT32
    (LBA)

    Partition has different physical/logical endings
    phys = (1022, 254, 63)  logical = (1661, 254, 63)
1999-10-22 | Partition Table |
    Windows98 Startup Disk +fips.exe
    A:\> fips
    (Ignore warning about physical != logical length)
    Save current partition info: yes
    (saved as rootboot.000)
    New partition start: 501

    tomsrtbt-1.6.335 (linux-2.0.35)
    bash>/bin/fdisk -v
    fips Version 2.8
    bash>/bin/fdisk
    fdisk> p
    Disk /dev/hda: 255 heads, 63 sectors, 1661 cylinders
    Units = cylinders of 16085 * 512 bytes

      Drive  Boot  Start  End    Blocks   Id  System
    /dev/hda1 *        1   501   402451+  0c  Win95 FAT32 (LBA)
    /dev/hda2        502  1002   402482   83  Linux Native
    /dev/hda3       1003  1011    72292   82  Linux Swap
    /dev/hda4       1012  1661  5221125   83  Linux Native
1999-10-21 | Windows Operating System |
    DESC KIT,DOC/DSK,W98,OSR1,ENG

    Language English (United States)
    Keyboard United States 101
    First and Middle Jo'an K.
    Last Name Meier
    Country Code United States of America
    Area Code 336
    Access Code No
    Touch Tone Yes
    Time Zone (GMT-05:00) United States Eastern
    Daylight Savings Time Automatic
    Mfr Microsoft
    Model Windows98 2nd Ed
    Product Key G74XD-KMV7J-XJC3X-PYBG6-DHPP6
    S/N xxxxxxxxxx
    DP/N 08001T Rev. A00
1999-11-03 | linux Operating System |
    SuSE-6.2.0-2

    reboot CDROM1
    linuxrc v0.91 (kernel 2.2.10)

    linuxrc> ... language ... English
    ... display ...? Color display
    ... keyboard ... English (US)
    Main menu
      System Information
        Harddisks / CD-ROMS
          (Hard Disk and CD-ROM found)
        Processor
          (no bugs)
      Start Installation / System
        Start Installation
          Source: CD-ROM

    Yast v1. 01
     Install Linux from scratch
      [SELECT SWAP PARTITION] /dev/hda3
       ... format ... yes
      [PARTITION HARDDRIVES/Do not Partition]
      CREATING FILESYSTEMS:
       /dev/hda1     no    vfat /WinC Win95 FAT32
       /dev/hda2 ... check ext2 /     Linux
       /dev/hda4     no    vfat /WinD Win95 FAT32
       Create/Change Configuration
       Xserver = svga (otherwise unrecognized)
      [SELECT KERNEL/Standard (E)IDE Kernel]
1999-11-05 | Root password |
    In sealed envelope in hardcopy log.
1999-11-05 | X11 |
    XFree86-3.3.4
1999-11-05 | X11 mouse |
    bash> yast
    [System Administration/X86 Configuration/SaX]
     [Mouse]
      Vendor: Microsoft
      Name: Intellimouse PS/2
      Port: PS/2
      Buttons: 3
      [Expert]
       Protocol: IMPS/2
       Device: /dev/psaux
     [OK]
    [Apply]
1999-11-05 | X11 keyboard |
    bash> yast
    [System Administration/X86 Configuration/SaX]
     [Keyboard]
      Model: Dell 101-key PC
      Language: U.S. English
    [Apply]
1999-11-05 | X11 Graphics Card |
    bash> yast
    [System Administration/X86 Configuration/SaX]
     [Card]
      Vendor: ATI
      Model: XPERT98
      [Expert]
       Server: XF86_mach64
       Memory: 8192k
       DAC: 207
    [Apply]
1999-11-05 | X11 |
1999-11-05 | TimeZone |
    EST5EDT

    Hardware Clock set to local time
1999-11-05 | Network |
    Hostname: xxxxxxx
    Domain: xxxx.xxx

    No network card
    [TCP IP CONFIGURATION/Loopback only
1999-11-05 | Mail |
    Modem will be used

    [SENDMAIL CONFIGRUATION/... temporary connection ...]
1999-11-05 | Boot Manager |
    lilo

    Windows /dev/hda1
    SuSE /dev/hda2 /boot/vmlinuz
1999-10-21 | Partition 1 Filesystem |
    C:
    FAT32
1999-11-02 | Partition 2 Filesystem |
    omsrtbt-1.6.335 (linux-2.0.35)
    bash> /bin/mke2fs -c /dev/hda2
    bash> /bin/e2fsck /dev/hda2
1999-11-02 | Partition 3 Filesystem |
    tomsrtbt-1.6.335 (linux-2.0.35)
    bash> /bin/mkswap -c /dev/hda3
1999-10-21 | Partition 4 Filesystem |
    D:
    FAT32

    [[My Computer]] {(D:)} [Format ...] [Format type\Full] [Start]

    [Close]

    ScanDisk reported no errors in a thorough test.

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