Step-by-step instructions for installing Red Hat Linux 8.0 on your Sony VAIO PCG-FX210

Sony VAIO All-in-One Notebook
Model PCG-FX210

Features | Specifications | Included Software | Links | Step-By-Step Installation | Post-Installation Configuration | To Do | Screenshots | Feedback

Linux on Laptops [ http://www.linux-laptop.net/ ]
Linux on the Road [ http://mobilix.org/Mobile-Guide.db/Mobile-Guide.html ]
Red Hat Linux 8.0 Manuals (including Installation Guide, Getting Started Guide, Customization Guide, Reference Guide, Security Guide, System Administration Primer, and Release Notes) [ http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-8.0-Manual/ ]

1. Download the ISOs from Red Hat.
2. Create your Red Hat Linux 8.0 discs by burning the ISOs to CDR with your favorite burner software.
3. Insert the first disc into the DVD-ROM drive and reboot the machine.
4. You can choose to test the installation discs you made, or you can proceed with the installation. I skipped this part as I had already used the discs on another machine--you may want to test the media if you haven't before.
5. Anaconda (the Red Hat graphical installation program) will start and you can read the release notes if you'd like, otherwise click [NEXT].
6. Language Selection: choose your language of choice and click [NEXT].
7. Keyboard Configuration: choose your keyboard choice and click [NEXT].
8. Mouse Configuration: select 2 button mouse (PS/2). The "Emulate 3 buttons" check box should be checked now. [NEXT]
9. Installation Type: your pick here--I chose "Custom" ... [NEXT]
10. Disk Partitioning Setup: I chose "Automatically partition" just to see what Anaconda came up with. I was satisfied with the partitions, so I proceeded with automatic partitioning. Important note: I knew from the start I wanted to remove Windoze completely from my machine. If you want a dual boot system, then I recommend manual partitioning with fdisk. BUT, why not get really crazy and follow my lead...you do not need Windoze! Repeat after me, "I do not need Windoze...I do not need Windoze...."
11. Auto Partitioning: warns you that all partitions will be removed from /dev/hda and asks if you are sure you want to proceed.
12. Disk Setup: as mentioned, I went with the auto partitioning. Anaconda set the partitions as follows:

    • /dev/hda

    • /dev/hda1	/boot	 102MB

    • /dev/hda2	/	9233MB

    • /dev/hda3	swap	 251MB

13. Heads Up: Having used the system since installation, I recommend a larger swap partition--or more RAM. Crucial.com has 128 MB chips for less than $30US at the time of this writing (December 2002). Note that Crucial says the maximum RAM in the PCG-FX210 is 512 MB, vs. the 256 MB in Sony's literature. Since I removed Windoze completely, I let Anaconda format all partitions. If you are going to run a dual boot system, be careful at this point!
14. Boot Loader Configuration: I chose to use GRUB and install it on the /boot partition. Red Hat Linux will boot from the / partition [/dev/hda2]. I checked the box beside "Configure advanced boot loader options" and clicked [NEXT].
15. Advanced Boot Loader Configuration: I installed GRUB on the Master Boot Record. Note: if you are going to dual boot RH8.0 with another operating system, I recommend installing GRUB on the MBR (Master Boot Record) and letting it be your boot loader. I had great success using GRUB to boot Windoze XP and RH8.0 on another system.
16. Network Configuration: Anaconda automatically found and configured the integrated Ethernet as device eth0. DHCP was set automatically, as was the hostname. If your internet connection does not use DHCP, then you will need to manually configure your network. Change your hostname if desired, then click [NEXT].
17. Firewall Configuration: Default is "medium security." I customized to set no trusted devices, and to allow SSH & DHCP.
18. Additional Language Support: Knock yourself out here--I, unfortunately, can only speak English.
19. Time Zone Selection: Is this the easiest step? Probably.
20. Account Configuration: You need to set a root password. I repeat, you need to set a root password. You can also add any personal accounts you want at this time. I waited until after installation to add my user account because I wanted a username longer than eight characters.
21. Authentication Configuration: I used the defaults.
22. Package Group Selection: You are on your own here...choose whatever you'd like. If you are wiping the system clean of Windoze, there is plenty of room to install all. I checked to install all, then checked the "Individual Package Selection" box so I could modify my picks a little.
23. Individual Package Selection: As mentioned, I'm English only, so I deselected all foreign language documents and then clicked [NEXT].
24. ABOUT TO INSTALL: Last chance to get out! There is no going back once you click [ENTER]. Make sure you are satisfied with your choices and then let 'er rip! Note: after installation, the installation log can be found at /root/install.log and the kickstart file can be found at /root/anacondaks.cfg.
25. Package Installation: Relax...depending on the number of packages you selected, this could take up to two hours. I basically chose everything (1454 packages @ 4636 MB), and installation time was one hour and fifty-eight minutes (oh, and one second).
26. Boot Disk Creation: I've installed numerous flavors of Linux on numerous machines...trust me--create the boot disk. Just do it. It only takes a few minutes, and it's relatively painless.
27. Graphical Interface (X configuration): The ATI RAGE Mobility video card was detected correctly, along with its 8 MB of RAM. I left the monitor at the default "unprobed monitor." I also accepted the default H-Sync and V-Sync--31.5-48.5 kHz and 50-70 Hz, respectively. Color depth was set automatically to 16 bit, but I switched this to True Color (24 bit) and it worked fine (and looked better). I set the screen resolution to 1024x768 (maximum resolution). Finally, you get to choose whether you want a graphical or text login.
28. INSTALLATION COMPLETE: Exit to reboot! Note: on reboot I received a BIOS error--the keyboard was not found. I held the power button down until the computer shut off...waited a tick...and turned it back on. At this point I was pleasantly greeted by GRUB, and successfully booted into Red Hat Linux 8.0.

GNOME is the default desktop. Depending on what you installed package wise, you may or may not be able to switch to a different windows manager.

The first thing I did when I logged in for the first time was create a user account, sign out as root, and sign back in as the new user. If you setup users during installation, you will not need to do this now.

Now to fix the sound. From the Red Hat menu, click on "Preferences." Click on "Sound." Check the box "Enable sound server startup." Place an audio CD in the DVD-ROM drive--the CD player should start automatically, but you probably will not hear anything yet. Now, open the volume control (Red Hat menu > Sound & Video > Volume Control) and turn up the controls until you are satisfied with the sound level. The sound is OK, but not great. I have read that the ALSA driver may work better with similar VAIO models, but I have not looked into it yet.

If you use this guide to help you install Linux on your machine, I'd like to know about it! Send me an email and let me know how it went. Please email any corrections and/or additions you have as well. Any and all feedback...positive and negative...is welcome!

© 2002 bldonthtrx
You are free to copy and distribute this document in any form as long as this copyright remains in place. You are free to improve this document, adding your copyright to mine, but I would like to be informed of any changes. You are free. Be free.