Chapter 1. Getting Started

Before You Install

Before you install your software, read this section to learn how to get Red Hat Linux Alpha 7.2 kits, how to register your software, and how to access support.

How to Get Red Hat Linux Alpha 7.2 Kits

Compaq makes Red Hat Linux Alpha 7.2 kits available in two ways. You can either purchase a boxed media kit for a minimal price or you can download the ISO images free of charge.

Purchasing the Media Kit

To purchase the media kit (a boxed set of CD-ROMs), call 1-800-448-6737 (U.S. only) or from outside the U.S. contact one of Compaq's resellers or distributors. The Compaq part number is QA-6M1AA-H8.7.2.

Downloading ISO Images

The ISO CD-ROM images that make up the Red Hat Linux Alpha 7.2 kit are available as free downloads from http://www.support.compaq.com/alpha-tools/redhat.

We recommend that you read Red Hat's instructions for downloading the ISO images first, which you can find at http://www.redhat.com/download/howto_download.html. Although some of the information is specific to PCs, most of it pertains to downloading images to any platform.

For information on making diskettes, see Appendix D. Writing Image Files to Diskettes .

How to Register

Knowing our customers will help us prioritize future enhancements to Red Hat Linux Alpha. Please register your software whether you're installing it from media kit CD-ROMs or downloaded ISO images. To find out how, visit http://www.support.compaq.com/alpha-tools/redhat.

How to Get Support

Support for Red Hat Linux Alpha 7.2 systems is available from several sources.

Red Hat Linux Alpha 7.2 Web Site

Compaq maintains a product web site at http://www.support.compaq.com/alpha-tools/redhat. The site contains general information about Red Hat Linux Alpha 7.2, provides pointers to the ISO image downloads, describes any errata that have been discovered, and contains instructions on how to report bugs.

Red Hat Documentation

The Red Hat Linux Alpha 7.2 kit, whether from the media kit or downloaded images, includes a documentation CD-ROM containing all the Red Hat Linux 7.2 documentation in HTML and PDF format. (Note that the Red Hat Linux Alpha 7.2 Installation Guide is available in HTML format only.) The same documentation is also available from the http://www.support.compaq.com/alpha-tools/redhat web site and from Red Hat at http://www.redhat.com/docs/.

Support from Compaq Global Services

Compaq Global Services offers a range of support options for Linux users. For information, please visit http://www.compaq.com/services/software/ss_linux.html.