How do you install Linux software from a CD?

Answer 1

Installing Ubuntu is easy! Simply follow the following steps:

1. Go to the Ubuntu web page (see related links).
2. Click on the Download link.
3. Select the Ubuntu version you want to install - be sure to select the correct architecture. If you're not sure, stick with the 32-bit version.
4. Check that the image is not corrupt by comparing MD5 hashes (see related links).
   • Burn the ISO image to a CD or DVD.
   • Create a Live-USB drive that you can use to install.
5. After you have downloaded the ISO, you have 2 options:
6. After you have done either one of these, insert the media you have created. A window should pop up prompting you to restart your computer.
7. If you want to install Ubuntu inside Windows using Wubi, select "Install inside Windows." Otherwise, restart.
8. At the manufacturer boot screen, press the key that lets you get into the boot options. This key differs between manufacturers, but it is usually something like 'Esc', 'F5', or 'F12'.
9. Select the media that you have burned the image on.
10. After the Live-CD or USB starts up, you can either try Ubuntu first without installing, install Ubuntu alongside a preexisting operating system (dual-boot), or replace your preexisting system with Ubuntu.
11. After selecting one of the options, follow the instructions. If all goes well, you should have successfully installed Ubuntu.

Note: Canonical no longer offers the option to deliver a pre-made Live-CD for free. You can still order one, if you don't feel like making the CD yourself.

Answer 2

Different Linux distributions use a variety of packaging methods, so it is difficult to gues what format they might be in on a CD.

If they are in .tar.gz format, copy them to your root directory and run

tar xvvf nameofpackage.tar.gz

If they are in a .bin file, copy them to your hard drive, make them executable

chmod +x nameofinstalller.bin

then launch the program

./nameofinstaller.bin

If they are in Debian package format (.deb), and you have a Debian-based distro run

dpkg -i packagename.deb

If they are in RPM format (.rpm), and you have a distro that uses RPM packages (OpenSUSE, Fedora, Red Hat, Mandriva), run

rpm -i packagename,rpm