waynejkruse10
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This guide will teach an absolute Linux n00b how to:
Install Linux on a old Junky PC
Network it
Set up Apache web server.
Set up PHP and MYSQL.
Install a forum, other BB or Wiki software.
Serve this to the Internet or locally.
What You Need?
A old computer
A home network
Ubuntu 5.04 install discs.
Internet Connection
My Test System
This was thrown together from gathered parts around the place:
P3 450
256mb SDRAM
4gb HDD
8mb RIVA TNT 2
ATX Case & PSU
24x CDROM
Part 1 - Hardware
Get together an old computer. I have done this on a P3 450 but im sure it will work ok on older p2 computers. Make sure the HDD and CDROM is set up correctly and everything works nicely.
Part 2 - Software
We will be using Ubuntu 5.04 "Hoary" for this project. I have found this distro to be very stable, easy to set up and fairly compatible. It is Debian based and has a large user base so support is easy to get hold of. You can download Ubuntu ISO's from www.ubuntu.com or you can get Ubuntu CD's shipped to you (takes > 6 weeks) free by going here.
Part 3 - Installing Ubuntu
If you want to dual boot Windows and Linux, create a second partition with your desired partitioning software (eg. Partition Magic) before starting, also make sure that your ADSL modem (if you are using one) is connected via Ethernet for easiest configuration Put the Ubuntu install disc into the drive and restart the computer. Make sure the CDROM is set to the first boot device in the BIOS. When it comes up with the boot prompt, press enter. Once the box pops up asking for details about country etc. enter the appropriate details and press enter. Once it comes up with the "Installing Base System" message you can relax for a while. The next tricky part is the partitioning. If you dont want Windows on it as well, just erase the entire disk and Ubuntu will work out all the required partitions itself. If you want to dual boot (more advanced), highlight the partition you created in Windows, and press enter. Tell it to format it as EXT 3, and the mount point as "/". Continue through the steps (no other tricky configuration after this). Eventually you will be prompted to take the CD out and restart. Now you can go away for a while. The system needs to install and download security updates, this can be done un aided so you can go out for lunch, or to the beach and it will do everything for you. Once you come back, login with the username and password you suppied before, you will be then greeted by a desktop.
Part 4 - Installing Software
Now, right click on the desktop and click Terminal. Type in "sudo chmod 777 /etc/apt/sources.list" then press enter and type in your password when prompted to it. Then type in "gedit /etc/apt/sources.list" and find where it says:
And take the "#" from in front of the last 2 lines then save.
Now make sure you are connected to the internet, open Terminal and type in:
"sudo apt-get install php4-mysql" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install apache2" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install php4" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install mysql-server" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install libapache2-mod-auth-mysql" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install php4-mysql" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install phpmyadmin" and press enter
Part 5 - Configuring Stuff
You have installed all the programs you need so now, at terminal type in:
"sudo gedit /etc/php4/apache2/php.ini"
Find the line that says:
And remove the ";" from in front of it.
Then type in:
Now your web server us set up. Go to http://localhost in Firefox and it should come up with the Apache start page.
To put in your own files, open up terminal and type:
"sudo chmod -R 777 /var/www"
Then copy whatever files you want to serve into /var/www.
Part 6 - Managing Databases and Installing Forum Software
Go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin and login with the user: Root and no password. Once you have logged in you should change the password for security. In Phpmyadmin you are able to create, delete, upload and backup your forums databases easily and remotely.
Part 7 - Other Conveniant Stuff
Would you find it useful if you could manage all the files in the /var/www folder from anywhere on your network through a ftp client? If so you can set up some software that will let you connect to your server via FTP.
Part 8 - Further Reading
Ubuntu Wiki
More Reading on Installing Ubuntu
Install Linux on a old Junky PC
Network it
Set up Apache web server.
Set up PHP and MYSQL.
Install a forum, other BB or Wiki software.
Serve this to the Internet or locally.
What You Need?
A old computer
A home network
Ubuntu 5.04 install discs.
Internet Connection
My Test System
This was thrown together from gathered parts around the place:
P3 450
256mb SDRAM
4gb HDD
8mb RIVA TNT 2
ATX Case & PSU
24x CDROM
Part 1 - Hardware
Get together an old computer. I have done this on a P3 450 but im sure it will work ok on older p2 computers. Make sure the HDD and CDROM is set up correctly and everything works nicely.
Part 2 - Software
We will be using Ubuntu 5.04 "Hoary" for this project. I have found this distro to be very stable, easy to set up and fairly compatible. It is Debian based and has a large user base so support is easy to get hold of. You can download Ubuntu ISO's from www.ubuntu.com or you can get Ubuntu CD's shipped to you (takes > 6 weeks) free by going here.
Part 3 - Installing Ubuntu
If you want to dual boot Windows and Linux, create a second partition with your desired partitioning software (eg. Partition Magic) before starting, also make sure that your ADSL modem (if you are using one) is connected via Ethernet for easiest configuration Put the Ubuntu install disc into the drive and restart the computer. Make sure the CDROM is set to the first boot device in the BIOS. When it comes up with the boot prompt, press enter. Once the box pops up asking for details about country etc. enter the appropriate details and press enter. Once it comes up with the "Installing Base System" message you can relax for a while. The next tricky part is the partitioning. If you dont want Windows on it as well, just erase the entire disk and Ubuntu will work out all the required partitions itself. If you want to dual boot (more advanced), highlight the partition you created in Windows, and press enter. Tell it to format it as EXT 3, and the mount point as "/". Continue through the steps (no other tricky configuration after this). Eventually you will be prompted to take the CD out and restart. Now you can go away for a while. The system needs to install and download security updates, this can be done un aided so you can go out for lunch, or to the beach and it will do everything for you. Once you come back, login with the username and password you suppied before, you will be then greeted by a desktop.
Part 4 - Installing Software
Now, right click on the desktop and click Terminal. Type in "sudo chmod 777 /etc/apt/sources.list" then press enter and type in your password when prompted to it. Then type in "gedit /etc/apt/sources.list" and find where it says:
## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'universe'
## repository.
## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## universe WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu security
## team.
# deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu warty universe
# deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu warty universe
And take the "#" from in front of the last 2 lines then save.
Now make sure you are connected to the internet, open Terminal and type in:
"sudo apt-get install php4-mysql" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install apache2" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install php4" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install mysql-server" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install libapache2-mod-auth-mysql" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install php4-mysql" and press enter
"sudo apt-get install phpmyadmin" and press enter
Part 5 - Configuring Stuff
You have installed all the programs you need so now, at terminal type in:
"sudo gedit /etc/php4/apache2/php.ini"
Find the line that says:
;extension=mysql.so
And remove the ";" from in front of it.
Then type in:
sudo /usr/sbin/apache2ctl restart
Now your web server us set up. Go to http://localhost in Firefox and it should come up with the Apache start page.
To put in your own files, open up terminal and type:
"sudo chmod -R 777 /var/www"
Then copy whatever files you want to serve into /var/www.
Part 6 - Managing Databases and Installing Forum Software
Go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin and login with the user: Root and no password. Once you have logged in you should change the password for security. In Phpmyadmin you are able to create, delete, upload and backup your forums databases easily and remotely.
Part 7 - Other Conveniant Stuff
Would you find it useful if you could manage all the files in the /var/www folder from anywhere on your network through a ftp client? If so you can set up some software that will let you connect to your server via FTP.
Part 8 - Further Reading
Ubuntu Wiki
More Reading on Installing Ubuntu