Void Linux Installation Guide: Step by Step Tutorial for Beginners
Void Linux is a unique and highly customizable Linux distribution that stands out due to its independence from other distributions and its use of the runit init system instead of systemd. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing Void Linux, providing detailed instructions and tips to help beginners navigate the installation process smoothly.
Downloading the Installation Image
To start, you need to download the Void Linux installation image. Void Linux offers images with two different C standard libraries: glibc and musl. For most users, the glibc version is recommended as it is more widely supported. You can download the base Live image with glibc from the official Void Linux download page.
Preparing the Live Bootable USB
Once you have the ISO file, you need to create a bootable USB. You can use tools like Etcher or any other utility to write the ISO to a USB drive. This process is straightforward and involves selecting the ISO file and the USB drive, then starting the writing process.
Booting Void Linux from the Live USB
Insert the USB drive into your computer and reboot. Ensure that your BIOS or UEFI settings are set to boot from the USB drive. When the system boots, you will see the Void Linux live desktop. Log in with the default username anon and password voidlinux if prompted.
Launching the Installer
To begin the installation, open a terminal in the live desktop environment and run the following command as root:
sudo void-installer
This command will launch the Void Linux installer, which is a text-based interface similar to those used by other minimalist distributions.
Setting Up the Keyboard
The first step in the installer is to select your keyboard layout. Choose the keymap that corresponds to your keyboard. For standard "qwerty" keyboards, the "us" keymap is typically used. Select your keymap and press Enter to proceed.
Configuring the Network
Next, you will need to configure your network settings. Select your primary network interface from the list. If you choose to use DHCP, the network adapter will automatically obtain an IP address from your router. Otherwise, you will need to set up a static IP address, including the IP address, gateway, and DNS servers. For wireless networks, you will be prompted to provide the SSID, encryption type, and password.
Selecting the Installation Source
Choose where the installer will get its installation packages. If you want the latest packages, select Network. However, if you are using the xfce image, you must choose Local to ensure the desktop environment is installed correctly.
Setting the Hostname and Locale
Provide a hostname for your system, which should be all lowercase and without spaces. Then, select your default locale settings. For glibc, you can choose from various locale options, but musl does not currently support locales.
Setting the Timezone
Select your timezone based on standard timezone options. This will configure your system clock to the correct time zone.
Setting the Root Password and User Account
Enter and confirm your root password for the new installation. Then, create a new user account by providing a login name, descriptive name, and password. The new user will be added to the wheel group by default, giving them sudo access.
Partitioning the Disk
Partitioning is a critical step, and Void Linux does not provide a preset partition scheme. You will need to create your partitions manually using cfdisk. For UEFI systems, it is recommended to use GPT and create an EFI System partition (typically between 200MB-1GB) mounted at /boot/efi. For BIOS systems, use MBR and create a special BIOS partition for GRUB if needed. Be cautious and ensure you write the partition table to the drive before exiting the partition editor.
Creating Filesystems
Create filesystems for each partition you have created. Choose a filesystem type (such as ext4) and a mount point for each partition. For UEFI systems, create a vfat filesystem and mount it at /boot/efi.
Installing the Bootloader
Select the disk to install the bootloader on. You can choose to install GRUB or skip this step and install a bootloader manually later. If installing a bootloader, you will be asked whether you want a graphical terminal for the GRUB menu.
Reviewing and Installing
Review your settings before proceeding. Use the right arrow key to select the settings button and hit Enter. Once you are satisfied with your settings, select Install to start the installation process. The installation will take a few minutes, depending on your system configuration.
Final Steps
After the installation is complete, exit the installer and reboot your system from the live desktop environment. Remove the USB drive and let the system boot into your newly installed Void Linux. You should see a menu with Void Linux, indicating a successful installation.