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[ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - Irritiable - Nov 11, 2021

Arch Linux installation guide

The intended audience(s) for this guide are as follows:
  1. Average users (social media website usage, e-mails, office or college work, etc)
  2. Curiosity consumed individuals
  3. Computer enthusiasts
  4. Individuals who believe in the pursuit of: Free information, software and privacy
  5. Computer programmers
  6. Linux users who desire to garnish more from their OS

Approximate results at the end of the installation (LXDE DE, LXDM greeter and OpenBox WM):
Harddrive consumption (usually 'high priced real-estate value' for very small medium sources (such as a high end SSD))
  • /dev/sda1 (EFI): 512M
  • /dev/sda2 (root): ~3.8G
  • /dev/sda3 (home): ~99M
  • TOTAL HARDDRIVE USAGE: ~3.9G
  • RAM USAGE: 175M (excluding cached RAM; 350M if caches are allowed); ~3G of RAM free for use with anything
  • CPU USAGE: 1%
  • TOTAL BOOT TIME (cold-boot to desktop idle): 20.200s (a very old 5k RPM HDD)

How this guide is formatted:
Sections - "Sections" are a quick reference to jump around with. The title summarizes the procedure performed.
Notes - "Notes" contain miscellaneous information that I deemed essentially important.
Options - "Options" behave as a red-black tree; Linux typically has far more than a single venue to approaching a solution to any given problem.
Steps - "Steps" explain how to solve a given section in a chronological order; steps may sometimes be broken up into sub-components (EG: "cfdisk"'s usage may not come naturally for all users).
Examples - "Examples" summarize what command(s) might be used (as your system and needs might vary: You cannot rely on them without reading the full text of the section).
Commands used - "Commands used" is merely a highly cohesive conglomerate of all aforementioned examples.

Section overview:
  • Downloading the Arch Linux live ISO
  • Formatting a USB
  • Installing the image file (ISO) to the USB
  • Booting the live media (USB drive; Arch Linux live ISO)
  • Securely wiping the harddisk
  • Selecting a disk label type and creating partitions
  • Formatting the partition's filesystems (FAT32, ext4, swap)
  • Mounting the filesystems
  • Learning a bit about self-help with electronic manuals (the man pages)
  • Connecting to the internet (to install programs and the most recent version of the Linux kernel, drivers, etc)
  • Installing the base operating system (Arch Linux "base," "base-devel," "linux" and "linux-firmware")
  • Creating the fstab file
  • Defragment the filesystems
  • Chrooting to the system (root partition)
  • Setting and generating a locale (default language used system-wide)
  • Setting a time-zone
  • Setting the clock
  • Creating a hostname (machine name for local networks)
  • Creating a hosts file
  • Creating a password for the "root" user
  • Installing packages (programs)
  • Enabling systemd units
  • Installing the GRUB bootloader
  • Updating the GRUB configuration file
  • Installing an EFI stub for the motherboard
  • Installing an EFI start-up script (read by the motherboard after power-up)
  • Finishing up before rebooting
  • Adding new users and passwords
  • Enabling sudo privileges for users
  • Switching the logged in account
  • Creating an xinit script to automate starting the X-window system

1. Downloading the Arch Linux live ISO


2. Formatting a USB
NOTE: From a Linux distro -- Using the terminal
Step 1: Enumerate the physical devices and find the USB (/dev/sdX) using: fdisk -l; A description of the device(s) are shown.
Example: "Disk /dev/sdb: 7.33 GiB, 7864320000 bytes, 15360000 sectors" -- My USB device: /dev/sdb

Step 2: Set all data to 0x00 on the device (/dev/sdb in my example) using: dd; This will remove all partition tables, labels and data on the device.
Example: "dd /dev/sdb if=/dev/zero status=progress"

Commands used:
1. fdisk -l
2. dd of=/dev/sdb if=/dev/zero status=progress


3. Installing the image file (ISO) to the USB
NOTE: From a Linux distro -- Using the terminal
Step 1: Copy the Arch Linux ISO image to the USB using: dd
Example: "dd /dev/sdb if=~/Downloads/ArchLinuxLive.iso of=/dev/sdb status=progress"

Commands used:
1. dd of=/dev/sdb if=~/Downloads/ArchLinuxLive.iso of=/dev/sdb status=progress


4. Booting the live media (USB drive; Arch Linux live ISO)
NOTE: Reference your motherboard's manual for accessing it's firmware (BIOS or UEFI)

Step 1: Ensure the external USB ports / peripherals are accessible (security feature)
Step 2: Ensure CSM is enabled and secure-boot is disabled
Step 3: Save changes and power down the machine
Step 4: Insert the USB into a usable USB-port
Step 5: Power on the machine and forcibly select the USB to be booted to
Step 6: Select "Arch Linux Live" (automatically selected and activated after 5 seconds)

Commands used:
1. NONE


5. Securely wiping the harddisk
NOTE: From the Arch Linux live USB: We can fully access all hardware safely as a 'slave' device

Step 1: Enumerate the physical devices and find the harddrive (/dev/sdX) using: fdisk -l; A description of the device(s) are shown.
Example: "Disk /dev/sda: 931.53 GiB, 1000204886016 bytes, 1953525168 sectors" -- My harddrive device: /dev/sda

Step 2: Set all data to 0x00 on the device (/dev/sda in my example) using: dd; This will remove all partition tables, labels and data on the device.
Example: "dd /dev/sda if=/dev/zero status=progress"

Step 3: Manually synchronize everything to the disk using: sync
Step 4: Verify changes to the devices using: lsblk

Commands used:
1. fdisk -l
2. dd of=/dev/sda if=/dev/zero status=progress
3. sync
4. lsblk


6. Selecting a disk label type and creating partitions
Step 1: Create a new EFI partition type under an gpt partition label using: cfdisk
Example: "cfdisk /dev/sda"[/B]

Step 1.1: Select label type: gpt
Step 1.2: Select "New"
Step 1.3: Backspace the previous size and enter "512M" and press "enter"
Step 1.5: Select "Type"
Step 1.6: Select "EFI System"

Step 2: Create a new Linux root partition (where the Linux OS system, shared libraries and others are kept)
Step 2.1: Select "New"
Step 2.2: Backspace the previous size and enter "50G" (preferably anything over 20G) and press "enter"
Step 2.3: Select "Type"
Step 2.4: Select "Linux root (x86-64)"

Step 3: Create a new Linux home partition (where your user(s) personal files, settings, configurations, etc. are kept)
Step 3.1: Select "New"
Step 3.2: Fill the entire disk except for 2G (example: "400G" is shown; backspace and replace with: "398G") and press "enter"
Step 3.3: Select "Type"
Step 3.4: Select "Linux home"

Step 4: Create a new Linux swap partition (used for: "Hibernation" and misc. out-of-memory scenarios)
Step 4.1: Select "New"
Step 4.2: Verify the "2G" size and press "enter"
Step 4.3: Select "Type"
Step 4.4: Select "Linux swap"

Commands used:
1. cfdisk /dev/sda


7. Formatting the partition's filesystems (FAT32, ext4, swap)
Step 1: Verify the changes to the disk using: lsblk
Step 2: Format the EFI partition with a FAT32 file-system using: mkfs.fat
Example: "mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1"

Step 3: Format the root partition with a EXT4 file-system using: mkfs.ext4
Example: "mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda2"

Step 4: Format the home partition with a EXT4 file-system using: mkfs.ext4
Example: "mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda3"

Step 5: Create a swap partition (physical disk for RAM usage) using: mkswap
Example: "mkswap /dev/sda4"

Step 6: Enable the usage of the partition for swapping out memory using: swapon
Example: "swapon /dev/sda4"

Commands used:
1. lsblk
2. mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1
3. mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda2
4. mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda3
5. mkswap /dev/sda4
6. swapon /dev/sda4


8. Mounting the filesystems
Step 1: Mount the root partition at the mount point of "/mnt" using: mount
Example: "mount /dev/sda2 /mnt"

Step 2: Create a folder named "home" under the "/mnt" directory using: mkdir
Example: "mkdir /mnt/home"

Step 3: Mount the home partition at the mount point of the newly created "/mnt/home" directory using: mount
Example: "mount /dev/sda3 /mnt/home"

Step 4: Verify the changes using: lsblk, lsblk -f and df -h
Example: "lsblk && lsblk -f && df -h" (the && operator chain-links commands)

Commands used:
1. mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
2. mkdir /mnt/home
3. lsblk
4. lsblk -f
5. df -h


9. Learning a bit about self-help with electronic manuals (the man pages)
Step 1: Clear all text from the console (to improve readability) using: clear
Example: "clear"

Step 2: Learn more about the "clear" command using: man (press 'q' to quit)
Example: "man clear"

Step 3: Learn more about all previous commands using: man command-name
Example: "man mount" or "man mkdir" or "man lsblk" or "man df" or "man mkfs" or "man cfdisk" or "man dd" or "man fdisk" or "man sync"

Commands used:
1. clear
2. man clear
3. man ... insert any command to read more on it
10. Connecting to the internet (to install programs and the most recent version of the Linux kernel, drivers, etc)

NOTE: Invoking "ip link" or "iw dev" should reveal viable wifi ethernet ("link/ether") interfaces

Option 1: netctl
Option 1.1: Manual file configuration (using: cp, nano and netctl)
Step 1: For the sole purpose of simplification: Copy an example file from: "/etc/netctl/examples/wireless-wpa" to "/etc/netctl/MyWifiSSID" using: cp
Example: "cp /etc/netctl/examples/wireless-wpa /etc/netctl/Home_Wifi-Router"

Step 2: Modify this newly created file using: nano
Example: "nano /etc/netctl/Home_Wifi-Router"

Step 2.1: Configure the interface to reflect the desired device to be used for wifi connections
Example: "Interface: wlp3s0"

Step 2.2: Configure the wifi key (password) if applicable
Example: "Key: SecretPassword12345"

Step 2.3: Configure the wifi's ESSID (broadcasted name)
Example: "ESSID: SecretWifiRouter-2G"

Step 2.4: Uncomment the "hidden" switch if the router does not broadcast it's name; otherwise: It assumes the name is broadcasted
Example: "hidden" (my wifi-router does not broadcast it's SSID (wifi-name); it is hidden)

Step 2.5: Configure the wifi connection's priority (useful if you have a laptop and/or multiple access-points (APs); routers)
Example: "#priority: 10" (priority is not factored in; as it is commented out as denoted by the "#" character)

Step 2.6: Save the changes to the netctl wifi-connection configuration file and exit

Step 3: Start the Home_Wifi-Router wifi-connection by using: netctl
Example: "netctl start Home_Wifi-Router"

Option 2: Automated file configuration (generated with: wifi-menu)
Option 2.1: wifi-menu
Step 1: Connect to the internet using: wifi-menu
Example: "wifi-menu"

Step 1.1: Select the SSID (the network's name as advertised by the router) using the directional arrow keys (pressing "enter" to select it)
Step 1.2: Enter the password for the network connection (if prompted)
Step 1.3: Start the wifi-connection by using: netctl (it should automatically connect and generate the netctl configuration file and stored at: "/etc/netctl")

NOTE: You will need to install the following packages using pacman to use "netctl" and "wifi-menu" outside of the Arch Linux Live OS: "netctl", "dialog" and "wpa_supplicant"

Option 3: iw
Step 1: Scan for available wifi-networks using: iw
Example: "sudo iw dev wlp3s0 scan"
Example #2: "sudo iw dev wlp3s0 scan | grep SSID" (if you wish to quickly filter out only the SSID names)

Step 2: Connect to the wifi-router using: iw
Example: "sudo iw dev wlp3s0 connect -w Home_Wifi-Router" ("wlp3s0" is my interface (wifi-card's) name)

NOTE: This will set up a static IP address and routing address (ARP (address resolution protocol))

Option 4: ip
Step 1: Set the link interface as "up" using: ip
Example: "ip link set wlp3s0 up"

Step 2:Add an IP address to the interface using: ip
Example: "ip address add 192.168.1.99/24 broadcast + dev wlp3s0"

Step 3:Add a route to the interface using: ip
Example: "ip route add 192.168.1.99 via 192.168.1.1 dev wlp3s0"

Commands used:
1. ip link
2. iw dev
3. cp /etc/netctl/examples/wireless-wpa /etc/netctl/Home_Wifi-Router
4. nano /etc/netctl/Home_Wifi-Router
5. netctl start Home_Wifi-Router
6. wifi-menu
7. sudo iw dev wlp3s0 scan
8. sudo iw dev wlp3s0 scan | grep SSID
9. sudo iw dev wlp3s0 connect -w Home_Wifi-Router
10. sudo ip link set wlp3s0 up
11. sudo ip address add 192.168.1.99/24 broadcast + dev wlp3s0
12. sudo ip route add 192.168.1.99 via 192.168.1.1 dev wlp3s0


11. Installing the base operating system (Arch Linux "base," "base-devel," "linux" and "linux-firmware")

NOTE: "pacstrap" is a special Arch Linux live program that is not found within the non-live version of Arch Linux
Step 1: Install all packages from the "base," "base-devel," "linux," "linux-firmware," package-groups to the "/mnt" directory using: pacstrap
Example: "pacstrap -i /mnt base base-devel linux linux-firmware"

Commands used:
1. pacstrap -i /mnt base base-devel linux linux-firmware


12. Creating the fstab file

NOTE: "genfstab" is a special Arch Linux live program that is not found within the non-live version of Arch Linux
Step 1: Generate an fstab file at the path of: "/mnt/etc/fstab" using: genfstab
Step 2: Verify the file was created by using: cat
Example: "cat /mnt/etc/fstab"

Commands used:
1. genfstab -U -p /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab
2. cat /mnt/etc/fstab


13. Defragment the filesystems
Step 1: Defragment all partitions on the device using: e4defrag
Example: "e4defrag -v /dev/sda*" (the asterisk ( ) acts as a wildcard; the observable behavior then includes: e4defrag /dev/sda1, e4defrag /dev/sda2, e4defrag /dev/sda3, e4defrag /dev/sda...)

Step 2: Ensure all changes are written out to the disk using: sync
Example: "sync"

Commands used:
1. e4defrag -v /dev/sda
2. sync


14. Chrooting to the system (root partition)
Step 1: chroot into the directory of: /mnt using: arch-chroot
Example: "arch-chroot /mnt /bin/bash"

Commands used:
1. arch-chroot /mnt /bin/bash


15. Setting and generating a locale (default language used system-wide)
NOTE: These options relate to CLI text editors that are used to edit the "/etc/locale.gen" configuration file

Step 1: Configure the locale settings by modifying the "/etc/locale.gen" file using: nano
Example: "nano /etc/locale.gen"

Step 1.1: Search for your language using the hotkey: CTRL + W
Example: "CTRL + W" then type "#en_US"

Step 1.2: Remove the comment: '#' using the directional arrow-keys and the backspace key (the line should now read: "en_US" from the previous "#en_US" text)
Step 1.3: Save changes to the file using the hotkey: "CTRL + X" then press "y" for "yes"

NOTE: "locale-gen" is a special Arch Linux live program that is not found within the non-live version of Arch Linux
Step 1: Generate all locale files using: locale-gen
Example: "locale-gen"

Commands used:
1. nano /etc/locale.gen
2. locale-gen


16. Setting a time-zone
NOTE: Finding listed time-zones that are available

Option 1: Enumerate the "/usr/share/zoneinfo" directory using: "ls"
Example: "ls /usr/share/zoneinfo"

Option 2: List all time-zones using: "timedatectl"
Example: "timedatectl list-timezones"

Option 3: List all time-zones using: "timedatectl" and filter a desired category with "grep"
Example: "timedatectl list-timezones | grep America" (the "|" operator applies the command to the formerly used command)

Step 1: Create a symbolic link from: "/usr/share/zoneinfo/XXX" to "/etc/localtime" using: ln
Example: "ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/America/Chicago /etc/localtime"

Commands used:
1. ls /usr/share/zoneinfo
2. timedatectl list-timezones
3. timedatectl list-timezones | grep America
4. ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/America/Chicago /etc/localtime
17. Setting the clock
Option 1: Set the system-clock (operating system level) from the hardware clock (motherboard level)
Step 1: Read the "--hctosys" flag for "hwclock" from the man-page using: man hwclock
Step 1.1: Set the system-clock from the hardware clock using: hwclock -s
Example: "hwclock -s"

Option 2: Set the hardware clock (motherboard level) from the system-clock (operating system level)
Step 1: Read the "--systohc" flag for "hwclock" from the man-page using: man hwclock
Step 1.1: Set the hardware clock from the system-clock using: hwclock -w
Example: "hwclock -w"

Commands used:
1. man hwclock
2. hwclock -s
3. hwclock -w


18. Creating a hostname (machine name for local networks)
NOTE: The hostname shows up on the terminal as: [Username@Hostname ~]$

Step 1: Write the desired hostname to: "/etc/hostname" using: echo
Example: "echo MyHostName > /etc/hostname" (the ">" command writes the data to the harddrive ("hostname" is the file; "MyHostName" is written to that file))

Commands used:
1. echo MyHostName > /etc/hostname


19. Creating a hosts file
Step 1: Read the "hostname" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man hostname"

Step 2: Associate your hostname with "127.0.1.1 localhost.localdomain" by using: echo
Example: "echo "127.0.1.1 localhost.localdomain MyHostName" > /etc/hosts"

Step 3: Amuse yourself with learning by using: hostname and it's assorted flags
Example: "hostname -a && hostname -d && hostname -f && hostname -s && hostname -y && hostname -i"

Commands used:
1. man hostname
2. echo "127.0.1.1 localhost.localdomain MyHostName" > /etc/hosts
3. hostname -a && hostname -d && hostname -f && hostname -s && hostname -y && hostname -i


20. Creating a password for the "root" user
Step 1: Read the "passwd" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man passwd"

Step 2: Set the password for the user "root" using: passwd
Example: "passwd"

Step 2.1: Type a password for the user "root", then press enter
Step 2.2: Confirm the password for the user "root" by entering it a second time, then press enter

Commands used:
1. man passwd
2. passwd


21. Installing packages (programs)
NOTE: You can install all packages with a single: "pacman -S"; package names are space separated

Step 1: Read the "pacman" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man pacman"

NOTE: Installing the system-related packages
Step 2: Install the following packages: "grub efibootmgr", using: pacman
Example: "pacman -S grub efibootmgr"

NOTE: Installing the X-window related packages
Step 3: Install the following packages: "xorg xorg-xinit xorg-server", using: pacman
Example: "pacman -S xorg xorg-xinit xorg-server"

NOTE: Installing the other X-window related packages (desktop environment and GUI-based) login greeter)
Step 4: Install the following packages: "lxde lxdm", using: pacman
Example: "pacman -S lxde lxdm"

NOTE: Installing the audio related packages
Step 5: Install the following packages: "pulseaudio pulseaudio-alsa", using: pacman
Example: "pacman -S pulseaudio pulseaudio-alsa"

NOTE: Installing the network related packages
Step 6: Install the following packages: "networkmanager network-manager-applet", using: pacman
Example: "pacman -S networkmanager network-manager-applet"

NOTE: Installing GUI notification (eye-candy) related packages
Step 7: Install the following packages: "xfce4-notifyd", using: pacman
Example: "pacman -S xfce4-notifyd"

NOTE: Installing a web-browser, a media player, a CLI-based text editor and a GUI-based text editor set of packages
Step 8: Install the following packages: "firefox vlc nano leafpad", using: pacman
Example: "pacman -S firefox vlc nano leafpad"

NOTE: Installing a power-manager, a screen-shot, a GUI-based disk management and a general-use unnecessary clutter removal package
Step 9: Install the following packages: "xfce4-power-manager gnome-screenshot gparted bleachbit", using: pacman
Example: "pacman -S xfce4-power-manager gnome-screenshot gparted bleachbit"

NOTE: Installing a common chat-program (Discord) and multi-client (Pidgin) package
Step 10: Install the following packages: "discord pidgin", using: pacman
Example: "pacman -S discord pidgin"

Commands used:
1. man pacman
2. pacman -S nano grub efibootmgr networkmanager network-manager-applet pulseaudio pulseaudio-alsa xorg xorg-xinit xorg-server lxde lxdm xfce4-notifyd xfce4-power-manager vlc discord pidgin firefox leafpad gnome-screenshot gparted bleachbit


22. Enabling systemd units
Step 1: Read the "systemctl" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man systemctl"

Step 2: Read the "sudo" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man sudo"

Step 3: Enable the "NetworkManager" system unit using: systemctl
Example: "systemctl enable NetworkManager"

Step 4: Enable the "lxdm" system unit using: systemctl
Example: "systemctl enable lxdm"

Commands used:
1. man systemctl
2. man sudo
3. sudo systemctl enable NetworkManager
4. sudo systemctl enable lxdm


23. Installing the GRUB bootloader
NOTE: This is for a UEFI based motherboard installation (x86-64 or "amd64" architecture is implied; Arch Linux no longer supports the x86 arch)

Step 1: Create a folder named "/boot/efi" under the "/" directory using: mkdir
Example: "mkdir /boot/efi"

Step 2: Mount the EFI partition at the mount point of the newly created "/boot/efi" directory using: mount (invoke lsblk if you forget what the partition name is)
Example: "mount /dev/sda1 /boot/efi"

Step 3: Verify changes to the devices using: lsblk
Example: "lsblk -f"

Step 4: Read the "grub-install" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man grub-install"

Step 5: Install the GRUB-bootloader, using: grub-install
Example: "grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --bootloader-id=GRUB --efi-directory=/boot/efi --recheck"

Commands used:
1. mkdir /boot/efi
2. mount /dev/sda1 /boot/efi
3. lsblk -f
4. man grub-install
5. grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --bootloader-id=GRUB --efi-directory=/boot/efi --recheck


24. Updating the GRUB configuration file
Step 1: Read the "grub-mkconfig" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man grub-mkconfig"

Step 2: Generate a new GRUB configuration file named "grub.cfg" under the "/boot/grub" directory using: grub-mkconfig
Example: "grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg"

Commands used:
1. man grub-mkconfig
2. grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg


25. Installing an EFI stub for the motherboard
Step 1: Create a directory named "/boot/efi/EFI/" using: mkdir
Example: "mkdir /boot/efi/EFI/BOOT"

Step 2: Read the "cp" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man cp"

Step 3: Copy the GRUB bootloader ("grubx64.efi") from the "/boot/efi/EFI/GRUB" directory to the "/boot/efi/EFI/" directory, using: cp
Example: "cp /boot/efi/EFI/GRUB/grubx64.efi /boot/efi/EFI/BOOT/BOOTx64.EFI"

Commands used:
1. mkdir /boot/efi/EFI/BOOT
2. man cp
3. cp /boot/efi/EFI/GRUB/grubx64.efi /boot/efi/EFI/BOOT/BOOTx64.EFI


26. Installing an EFI start-up script (read by the motherboard after power-up)
Step 1: Create a file named "startup.nsh" under the "/boot/efi" directory using: nano
Example: "nano /boot/efi/startup.nsh"

Step 2: Write the line of text for the NSH script as follows: "bcfg boot add 1 fs0:\EFI\GRUB\grubx64.efi "Your custom label here""
Step 2.1: Save changes to the file using the hotkey: "CTRL + X" then press "y" for "yes"
Step 2.2: Write changes to the harddrive (create the file) by pressing enter (confirm the filename first)

Commands used:
1. nano /boot/efi/startup.nsh


27. Finishing up before rebooting
Step 1: Exit out of the "chroot" using: exit
Example: "exit"

Step 2: Force a flush (writes all buffered, cached or unwritten data in memory) of all dirty data to the harddrive using: sync
Example: "sync"

Step 3: Defragment all partitions on the device using: e4defrag
Example: "e4defrag -v /dev/sda*"

Step 4: Read the "umount" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man umount"

Step 5: Unmount all mounted partitions using: umount
Example: "umount -R /mnt"

Step 6: Verify changes to the devices using: lsblk
Example: "lsblk"

Step 7: Read the "e2fsck" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man e2fsck"

Step 8: Optimize the root and home partitions using: e2fsck
Example: "e2fsck -Dfv /dev/sda2 && e2fsck -Dfv /dev/sda3"

Step 9: Read the "shutdown" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man shutdown"

Step 10: Shutdown quickly by using: shutdown
Example: "shutdown now"

Step 11: Remove the USB after the machine powers off and then proceed to power on the machine

Commands used:
1. exit
2. sync
3. e4defrag -v /dev/sda*
4. man umount
5. umount -R /mnt
6. lsblk
7. man e2fsck
8. e2fsck -Dfv /dev/sda2 && e2fsck -Dfv /dev/sda3
9. man shutdown
10. shutdown
28. Adding new users and passwords
Step 1: Log into the "root" user by typing "root" for the "login" prompt and press enter
Step 1.1: Type in the password you created earlier and press enter

Step 2: Read the "useradd" page from the man-page using: man
Example: "man useradd"

Step 3: Add a new user login using: useradd
Example: "useradd -m -g users -G wheel -s /bin/bash MyUniqueUsername"

Step 4: Set the password for the newly created user "MyUniqueUsername" using: passwd
Example: "passwd MyUniqueUsername"

Commands used:
1. man useradd
2. useradd -m -g users -G wheel -s /bin/bash MyUniqueUsername
3. passwd MyUniqueUsername


29. Enabling sudo privileges for users
Step 1: Open the special "sudoers" file with the command: "EDITOR=nano visudo"

Step 2: Search for "# %wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL" and uncomment it (remove the "#" character)[/B]"

Step 3: Save the changes to the file using the hotkeys and exit using the hotkeys[/B]

Commands used:
1. NONE


30. Switching the logged in account
Step 1: Exit out of the "root" login using: exit
Example: "exit"

Step 2: Log in to your newly created account by typing it and pressing enter
Example: "MyUniqueUsername"

Step 2.1: Type in your password and press enter
Example: "MyUniquePassword"

Commands used:
1. exit


31. Creating an xinit script to automate starting the X-window system
Step 1: Create a new file named ".xinitrc" under the "~/" directory using: nano
Example: "nano ~/.xinitrc"

Step 2: Write the line of text for the xinit script as follows: "exec startlxde"
Step 2.1: Save changes to the file using the hotkey: "CTRL + X" then press "y" for "yes"
Step 2.2: Write changes to the harddrive (create the file) by pressing enter (confirm the filename first)

Step 3: Reboot by using: "reboot"
Example: "reboot"

Commands used:
1. nano ~/.xinitrc
2. reboot

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - guardian - Nov 13, 2021

I was actually going to write a tutorial on how to install Arch Linux today, as I am about to make a fresh installation. Great to see that one has been posted not even two days ago. Will find something else to make a tutorial about then. :) Haven't read through it, but looks good, keep up the HQ content man!

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - Irritiable - Nov 14, 2021

(Nov 13, 2021 01:27 AM)guardian Wrote:  I was actually going to write a tutorial on how to install Arch Linux today, as I am about to make a fresh installation. Great to see that one has been posted not even two days ago. Will find something else to make a tutorial about then. :) Haven't read through it, but looks good, keep up the HQ content man!

Thank you.

I wrote this quite a few years ago.

Another poster pointed out that the ArchWiki has a 'guided installer' written in Python finally (~2020).
The URL: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Archinstall

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - guardian - Nov 14, 2021

(Nov 14, 2021 12:38 AM)Irritiable Wrote:  Thank you.

I wrote this quite a few years ago.

Another poster pointed out that the ArchWiki has a 'guided installer' written in Python finally (~2020).
The URL: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Archinstall

Didn't even know they had that.
Got my fresh Arch install done yesterday, looks super sick. Playing around with themes rn.

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - Betty Blue - Nov 14, 2021

(Nov 14, 2021 04:31 AM)guardian Wrote:  Didn't even know they had that.
Got my fresh Arch install done yesterday, looks super sick. Playing around with themes rn.
I forget the name but if you're using a WM, people around /r/unixporn have an automatic theme switcher for WM's. I don't use it, but it looks really nice.

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - guardian - Nov 14, 2021

(Nov 14, 2021 07:14 AM)Deadhead Wrote:  I forget the name but if you're using a WM, people around /r/unixporn have an automatic theme switcher for WM's. I don't use it, but it looks really nice.

Thanks mate! You mean that the theme switches over time? Or on command?

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - Cannot Compute - Nov 14, 2021

(Nov 14, 2021 08:03 AM)guardian Wrote:  Thanks mate! You mean that the theme switches over time? Or on command?

There's pywal which generates color schemes based on your background. May be something you're looking for.

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - guardian - Nov 14, 2021

(Nov 14, 2021 08:10 AM)Cannot Compute Wrote:  There's pywal which generates color schemes based on your background. May be something you're looking for.

Sounds cool! Thanks man, will look into it.

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - Betty Blue - Nov 14, 2021

(Nov 14, 2021 08:03 AM)guardian Wrote:  Thanks mate! You mean that the theme switches over time? Or on command?
On command, widget you can scroll through graphically, really however you want it probably.

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - Irritiable - Nov 19, 2021

(Nov 14, 2021 04:31 AM)guardian Wrote:  Didn't even know they had that.
Got my fresh Arch install done yesterday, looks super sick. Playing around with themes rn.

Arch Linux is a very mean, lean and lightweight operating system that's usually kept close to the bleeding edge.

Please note: WMs and DEs are not restricted to specific distros or Linux kernels.

However! Arch Linux is fairly naked, which means instead of removing clutter and cruft: You only add what you want and remove the miniscule amount that it ships with at stock (OEM, if you will).

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - guardian - Nov 19, 2021

(Nov 19, 2021 09:48 PM)Irritiable Wrote:  Arch Linux is a very mean, lean and lightweight operating system that's usually kept close to the bleeding edge.

Yeah man, that's why I like it haha

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - SIM-353284 - Nov 21, 2021

Great tutorial really learnt alot thanks.

RE: [ GUIDE ] Arch Linux installation guide - Irritiable - Nov 21, 2021

(Nov 21, 2021 02:17 AM)SIM Wrote:  Great tutorial really learnt alot thanks.

You're welcome!

This was just a guide written before the Python-based installation guide was created.

This isn't a tutorial or anything informative.