After getting a copy of the CentOS 5 Linux or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, the steps below describes how to install it from scratch.

Boot1. Boot your computer from the CentOS 5 CD 1 or DVD and press Enter on the CentOS 5 boot up screen. This will install CentOS 5 in graphical mode.
CD Check2. Choose Skip in the CD Found window. This will skip the CD media test.
Welcome3. Click Next in the welcome window.
Language Selection4. Choose a language and click Next.
Keyboard Configuration5. Choose a keyboard for the system and click Next.
Disk Partitioning Setup
6. Click Next in the disk partitioning window and answer Yes on the Warning window.
 
The partitioning layout chosen works fine but you can fine tune it from this window. Learn more about Linux partitions here.
Network Configuration
7. Configure your network setting. Let’s say you have a network settings like the one below
 
Host Name
mail.acme.local
IP Address
192.168.0.4
Subnet Mask
255.255.255.0
Gateway
192.168.0.1
Primary DNS
192.168.0.2
Secondary DNS
192.168.0.3
Network ConfigurationFirst, click the Edit button. In the Edit Interface eth0 window, uncheck the Use dynamic IP configuration (DHCP) and Enable IPv6 support. Next, fill up the IPv4 Address and Prefix (Netmask). Click OK when you’re done.
Network ConfigurationFinally, fill in the rest of the information. Click Next when you’re done.
Timezone Settings8. Choose a region in the map. If the system clock is set to your local time, uncheck the System clock uses UTC. Click Next when you’re done.
Set Root Password9. Specify a strong password at least six characters long and click Next when you’re done.
Select Packages10. Uncheck Desktop – Gnome and check Server – GUI. Next, select the Customize now and click Next when you’re done.
Custom Select Packages
11. Add the packages below to the installation.
 
  • Graphical InternetGraphical Internet in Applications
Click Optional packages corresponding to Mail Servers in Servers and check postfix and squirrelmail.
 
Click Optional packages corresponding to Server Configuration Tools in Servers and check system-switch-mail-gnome.
 
Click Next when you’re done.
Begin Installation12. Click Next to begin installation.
Congratulations13. Congratulations, the installation is complete. Remove the CD and click Reboot to proceed to configuration.
 
Next: How to Configure CentOS 5 Linux »»
 

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Posted on 4/16/2007 and last updated on 11/7/2009
Filed under CentOS 5 , Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5