Downloading Fedora
This page describes the steps you need to follow to download and install Fedora.
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Understanding What You Are Doing
You are downloading an entire operating system (including software applications), and in most cases, you are then going to install the operating system on your computer. If you already have another operating system on your computer, it may be overwritten during the installation process. See the next section for more on this.
If you are connected to the Internet via a slow connection, like a dial-up modem, then downloading Fedora will be an extremely time-consuming process. The time it takes to download the installation files for Fedora depends greatly upon your connection speed to the Internet. For example, if you are downloading the installation disk images (called ISOs), then each image file will weigh in at just under 650 MB. This means that with a 56K modem connection it will take approximately 27 hours to complete the download of just one disk, and most installations require more than one.
Make Room on Your System
If you intend to transform your existing single-boot system into a dual-boot system, you need to make room for Fedora. You can do this by adding a new hard drive or by modifying the existing partitions on the hard drive already in the system.
Refer to Configuring a Dual-Boot System (Red Hat Linux 9 Getting Started Guide) for more detailed instructions.
Fedora 9 Release Summary
Download the Files You Need
To install Fedora, download the ISO installation images of either the DVD or Live images, even if you are planning to perform installation directly from a hard disk using the Hard drive installation method.
Download FAQ
Downloading the ISO Images
Download Locations
BitTorrent is the recommended method of download Fedora ISO images. You can go straight to our Bittorrent Tracker .
For the best possible service, please consider downloading using BitTorrent or one of our Mirrors .
The ISO images are located at the following URLs:
- i386 (32-bit AMD, Intel Pentium, Intel Core Duo)
- ftp://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/releases/9/Fedora/i386/iso/
- x86_64 (64-bit AMD64, EM64T, Intel Xeon, Intel Core 2 Duo)
- ftp://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/releases/9Fedora/x86_64/iso/
- PowerPC (32-bit and 64-bit classic Mac, 64-bit pSeries)
- ftp://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/releases/9/Fedora/ppc/iso/
Installable Live Images
Regular Installation Images
The regular installation images are DVD size and is a good upgrade from previous users of Fedora releases.
Notes
ISO images containing the source RPMs (SRPMs) are also located in the same directory as the ISO images containing the binaries; however, they are not required to install Fedora.
Validating the ISO images
Detailed instructions are available at http://fedoraproject.org/en/verify
Mounting ISO Images
If you are already running Linux, you can save an ISO image to a directory on your machine or another machine on the network. You may then mount the ISO image to look at or copy files. To mount an ISO image, use the following command:
su -c 'mount -o loop -t iso9660 <isofilename> <mountpoint>'
In the above command replace <isofilename> and <mountpoint> with the correct file name and mount point respectively. The directory given as the mount point must exist.
Write the Files to Media
If you are already running Fedora refer to CD-Rs and CD-RWs (Red Hat Linux 9 Getting Started Guide) for instructions on using cdrecord to burn the ISOs to CD. If you are using another operating system, refer to the documentation for your burning software.
Be sure to label the DVDs/CDs after burning them.
Boot From the DVD or CD and Run the Installation Program
You will have to make sure that your computer can boot from the DVD or first CD. Refer to your system's documentation for details. On PCs, this usually involves BIOS settings. On Mac systems, this is usually accomplished by holding down the C key while the system starts. Some newer systems allow booting a single time from the optical drive by pressing a special key as the system starts.
The ISOs have a checksum embedded in them. It is strongly recommended you verify the checksum on any Fedora CDs or DVD you create. This will ensure that the disk was burned correctly and prevent installation failures related to bad media. To test the checksum integrity of the DVD/CDs, boot off the DVD or first CD, and type the following command at the boot: prompt:
linux mediacheck
The mediacheck operation can be performed on CD's in any order.
To start the installation program, boot from the DVD, the first CD, or the boot CD made from the boot.iso image and follow the on-screen instructions.
Check for Updates
The Fedora Project frequently releases updates to Fedora. Many of these are simple fixes for common bugs, others are security updates. Installing these updates on your system will help keep it as reliable and as secure as possible.
You can use yum to update your system with the latest packages released for Fedora. For more information, see the guide: Managing Software with yum .
Update Notification
Fedora includes PackageKit which provides an 'Updates Available' popup when updates are published on internet.
If you would like to receive regular notifications via email when new updates become available, you can join the fedora-package-announce@redhat.com mailing list.
For a list of Fedora Security Advisories, visit FSA
Automatic Updates
You can set your system to update itself automatically. This is highly recommended for home users. Business users should evaluate this option carefully. In order to enable these automatic updates, refer to AutoUpdates
Get Help If You Need It
If you need help installing, configuring, or using Fedora, refer to the Installation Guide, Documentation, FAQ, and Help and Feedback sections.