Slackware Linux Basics - Huihoo

Chapter 5. Installing Slackware Linux 21
on your own needs. The swap partition is used to store programs if the main (RAM) memory is full. If you have a
harddisk of a reasonable size, it is a good idea to make a 256MB or 512MB swap partition, which should be enough for
normal usage. After creating the partition, the partition type can be changed to “Linux Swap” by selecting the “Type”
command. The cfdisk program will ask for the type number. “Linux Swap” partitions have type number 82. Normally
number 82 is already selected, so you can go ahead by pressing the key.
If you are satisfied with the partitioning you can save the changes by executing the “Write” command. This operation
has to be confirmed by entering yes. After saving the changes you can quite cfdisk with the Quit command. It is a
good idea to reboot the computer before starting the installation, to make sure that the partitioning changes are active.
Press + + to shut Linux down and restart the computer.
5.3. Installing Slackware Linux
The Slackware Linux installer is started by executing setup in the installation disk shell. Setup will show a menu with
several choices. You can see a screenshot of the installer in Figure 5.2, “The setup tool”. Every option is required for
a complete Slackware Linux installation, but once you start, the setup program will guide you through the options.
Figure 5.2. The setup tool
The first part of the installation is named “ADDSWAP”. The setup tool will look for a partition with the “Linux Swap”
type, and ask you if you want to format and activate the swap partition (see figure Figure 5.3, “Setting up the swap
partition”). Normally you can just answer “Yes”.
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