Install SSD Full Encryption GNU/Linux Fedora 27 [English, Korean multi language input]

Prevent a heist of your crypto using string, duct tape and the new iPhone.

Bookmark and follow the Fedora magazine (linked to Fedora image)

Relevance: dummy installation guide

• GNU/Linux Fedora 27 (any language display, optional multi-language input)
• full disk encryption (system and home)
• SSD to existing HDD setup
• post-installation steps

My setup:

• 500 GB Harddrive containing 'home' data i want to keep
• Fedora 25 on LUKS encrypted partition with home data
• Windows 7 on a 100GB NTFS partition with home data
  ^{I kept that data untouched and have it accessible from the new system. I did not do any backups (I felt lucky ;-) I plan to transfer the data from Windows home, then nuke the lot of the NTFS. Nuking the Fedora 25 root partition may be a bit tricky because it exists on an LVM LUKS-encrypted partition. Handling that competently is a bit above my paygrade, so for now I'm letting sleeping dogs lie.}
• New 120 GB capacity SSD - manufactured by Galax Microsystems Ltd. (China) - Trim and garbage collection support - at a cost of BCN 17391.304347826088 leaving me with BCN 0.004570 which of course, I want to protect from any and all danger of being taken in a heist

Mission

To dispel the impression a dummy can't setup full-disk encrypted GNU/Linux
To at-long-last do away with browser freezes when just 30 tabs are open simultaneously
To prevent a heist of the remaining 0.004570 BCN currently stored on my computer

You will need
String
1GB RAM
CPU 1,2 GhZ
USB Pendrive - 8 GB is enough - but the USB will be completely erased during this process!!
Internet connection
Duct tape

Maybe you need some crucial software for which there is no Linux version. In that case, you may consider a dual-boot system or you could run the windows software in some kind of virtual environment from inside Linux. That is another topic, but one which is worth mentioning here. If you have issues about that, I could point you in a direction - just ask. You may find better software alternative in Linux, but there may still be compatibality issues for sharing with workmates etc. So consider having another system or computer for that.

Warning and disclaimer:

I am by no means an expert, I have just done these installatons more times than I can recall. I enjoy doing it and wanted to share it for those who have never done it before. With any installation, things could go wrong. Please be aware and take necessary precautions by doing a backup of any valuable data. having said that, don't be afraid to attempt this because you will be glad with the results.

We set out on three broad objectives:

• Get fedora and create USB installation media
• Install fedora
• Tweak your new system

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Unpack your SSD, open your computer. Apply the SSD to the inside case using duct tape. Be sure to avoid covering the SSD ports (the holes for the cable to go in). Insert the cables that look like they fit the SSD ports which you left free of duct tape. Secure cables using string. Your fingerprints are unavailable due to the duct tape attaching your body parts to the copmputer, so unlock your iPhone using facial recognition feature, then call 911 using voice dial. When you are freed at last, pat yourself on the back for having bought the new iPhone.

Now if you're finished verifying your identity matches your face and otherwise fart-arsing with your iPhone, may we get down to business?

1. Get fedora and create the USB media

First determine if your CPU is capable of running 64-bit software (note that you may be running a 32-bit operating system even though your CPU is capable of running 64-bit - so check this out carefully). If your one of the unfortunate who engage a daily battle against a windows operating system, this page will guide you with instructions. If you're already on GNU/Linux - open a terminal and type lscpu

Now go to fedora workstation download page and find the

Other Downloads then get select, download, save one of the Netinstall Images
If you have determined that your CPU is 64-bit - your saved file should be Fedora-Workstation-netinst-x86_64-27-[version].iso
If you have determined that your CPU is 32-bit - your saved file should be Fedora-Workstation-netinst-i386-27-[version].iso

Notes:

• software for 64-bit platforms are more likely to receive updates, while many developers will no longer support versions for 32-bit systems (google's chrome browser is one common example)
• the netinstall images are smaller and therefore download faster than the commonly used live versions
• netinstall process offers the user access to input language selections and full encryption setup during installation

Get Fedora Media Writer

Why not use a CD? The short answer is you can use a CD, but a USB is easier and less expensive. To find outg how to burn an iso to a blank CXD, do a google search "burn iso to cd windows" or "burn iso to cd linux"
The tool to create the installation USB disk is available on the same page as the netinstall images. If you don't find it, click "View all platform downloads" and select the tool for your platform. This page may render differently for you, so I need to tell you that you must end up with a file like this..
Windows: FedoraMediaWriter-win32-[version].exe (this will work on a 64-bit system)
Mac: FedoraMediaWriter-osx-[version].dmg
Linux: open the terminal and go 'sudo dnf install mediawriter'
Open the mediawriter software.
Warning: The USB drive will be formatted. All data on the USB will be lost.
Insert your USB pendrive - make sure you know which drive the USB is recognised as on your system, eg. E: or D: drive
^{A quick way to do this is to go to the toolbar and find 'safely remove" - you should see the name there.. select to safely remove it, and see which drive disappears, then insert it again.. double check!
Also check the exact size in gigabytes. The mediawriter software will allow you to select the drive in the next step, the size will also be shown to you in the mediawriter. You must be sure you are selecting the USB drive that you intend to use to create the Fedora installation disk!}

With the media writer open, select the correct USB write media from the drop-down.
Go to the last option which is named "custom image"
Find the downloaded iso and write it to the USB. This takes some time.

there is something you may want to do - scroll down to take a look at the rather shoddy image labelled "Software Selection" below. On the ledt you will see th elong list of "desktop" environments. Do a bit of searching if you are unfamiliar with these. For starters do a search for "fedora workstation desktop environment" to understand what a desktop enviroment is and what each one offers. "Workstation" defaults to Gnome 3 - I suggest you explore MATE which is defaults to Gnome 2. Cinnamon, XFCE, and KDE are also different environments or desktops. I usually defer to XFCE on a low end computer and Cinnamon on a daily use computer - I find kids and general users are most comfortable with this which is mostly reminiscent of more familiar environments. It is customisable, and reletively lightweight. You are not restricted from using software offered in another desktop, but I like to keep software installation to a minimum and I guess so would you. So give this some consideration so that you are in-the-know as you proceed to the next step.

Now, if you have done a backup of your hard drive, you can reboot your system.
The next step will be offline (no browser) so have this guide visible on your phone or on another monitor.

Rebooting:
Your computer should boot first to the USB pendrive. If upon reboot, you enter the screen saying "Install Fedora", you are lucky. In most cases, you have to interrupt the boot up process, and adjust the BIOS to search for the USB before booting up from the existing (old) hard drive. This usually entails pressing one of the function keys or the delete key. There is usually an indication about this visible briefly, in text on the screen before your computer boots into the operating system. Once you enter there, you should be able to change the BIOS to enable booting from a USB or you might find the option more clearly labelled "boot option' or similar. This takes some fiddling. Once you get it, you will be A-for-a-way and into the installation screen, like so:

I apologise for the poor quality of the images - these are shots of my monitor taken with my phone.

2. Install Fedora 27

Use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select Install Fedora 27 - Hit the enter key and you will be brought to this screen

This is where you select the language to be used during installation. Select one language then hit Continue (bottom right).

Because you have an internet connection, Time & Date is automatically filled out. You can change anything if the automatically generated selections do not suit your scenario. If no other language is selected from the Language Support", the first language will become your default language displayed and for input of text in your eventual system.

If you intend to be selecting different input languages or you wish to have your system setup for several users each using a different display language, you have that option here: Select the Language Support which will bring you here

You can see I have scrolled down the left and selected the Korean option. You do the same as many times as needed. Find the additional language, check it on the left and the right side. Once all languages have been selected, hit Done (top left button). which returns you to the main screen again.

The Installation Source should now be reading "closest mirror". If your internet connection needs some configuration, you will have to enter Installation Source to do that. After doing that, you will click Done in the upper left corner to return to this main screen once more.

Next you have to do the Software Selection. You will find the next screen looks like this

Fedora workstation is the default - it provides a GNOME 3 desktop. I prefer the MATE, XFCE or Cinnamon Desktops. Your selection on the left, affects the available selections on the right where software is more or less dependent. I say more or less, because there is always the possibilityt of installing something later on which usually comes pre-packaged with one desktop, while not having the entire desktop environment. This step is here to simplify your efforts. Universal selections like Libre Office, apply to all or most of the selections on the left. Bottom line, select the flavor you like in desktop on the left, then scroll on the right to add anything you see that you deem to be necessary. You can still install new software post-installation, so there is no need to stress or lay eggs pull out any molars here. I went for Cinnamon and selected Libre Office, Sound and video software, and Development on the right side. Once you have finished here, click the Done (top left button) and return to the main screen again.

Next you will enter the Installation Destination section, which takes you to this screen:

You can see my old harddrive which is nearly 500 GB in capacity. I did not want to tamper with anything in that space, as I explained before, I want to retain all my data there until I choose later on about managing that. Apart from the files I want to keep, I also have the chance to make sure the new system is working well, with the option to select and use the old system during booting if I choose that. So I select here in this screen, the second, new SSD recognizable by the size of nearly 120 GB
Don't bother with "add disk" just select Custom and Encrypt My Data as you can almost see from the shoddy image here (apologies again).

Done (top left button) takes you to the next screen

Here you choose an encryption passphrase. Save Passphrase

Here you will simply select Click here to create them automatically

You will see that the automatic selection allots around 50 Gb to your system or root /

I like to reduce this .. knowing that I don't intend to install unnecessary software and that the system only needs around 9 GB of space. I select the partition which I aim to reduce, in this case the root and then adjust this to 25 GB

Then selecting the home partition, alterthat by adding the 25 to that value making it 81.93 GB

Moving to the next screen Done - you are faced with this very high resolution screen

At this stage you can alterthe hostname (this can also be done later in post-installation)

Now you can Begin Installation (bottom right button)

Now while the installation proceeds, you can complete the last steps of this stage. Root Password is very simple - just enter a password for root power (admin powers). For User creation, I did it this way

As you can see, I don't require a password here. My reason for it is when I boot up the computer, I enter the passphrase to decrypt my system. I see no reason for having my user account also password protected. You may have a need for that in the case where you intend to setup additional users from whom you want to restrict access to your data or apply lower rights such as 'non administrator rights'. In this case, you may wish to add a password, just keep in mind that each time you boot up, you will enter a passphrase for decryption, then a second one for account entry.

This brings us to the end of stage 2. Congratulations. You may reboot your computer, pull out the USB.
If you find your computer still booting up to the old system, your problem lies in the BIOS settings. You have to alter that so that the first boot drive becomes the new SSD drive. Of course, if you ever need to return to the old system, here is where you will do your adjustment as well.

3. Tweaking your new system

• Free and Non-free repository - choose one

Fedora ships with free software only. To get access to non-free or alternative free software, you will need to add the rpmfusion repository. You may also wish to check russianfedora repo for russian support. Choose one of these, not two, in order to avoid any clashes. The way to go about it is like this:

Visit the page at RPMFUSION - You should read instructions there on how to use a graphical setup, find and navigate to Fedora 27 from that list

or scroll further down to read about the Command Line setup using rpm. Quite simply, open a terminal, copy this code and paste it into the terminal and hit enter.

sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

Russian Fedora packages are very good especially for a cyrilic text or Russian users. Their project can be found here here

• Add some useful software

There are many guides about post-installation. I prefer deluge as a torrent client, so if you see qbittorrent, you can try deluge instead. I also require handbrake, gimp, audacity, etc. To add these, just add them to th ecommand line sudo dnf install audacity handbrake gimp vlc and hit enter. Welcome to Linux. You will enjoy your stay. About discord and darkroom I have already written comprehensive installation instructions on steemit.

Here are a just two posts that take you nicely through the steps of the important things. I suggest you browse through them and see which procedures are important to you. In order of my preference:

22 Things to do

and then,

28 things to do after Fedora 26 installation

• The tricky stuff

Please read these links as reference for these procedures before doing this. I have summarised and I have not done the fstrim myself - read, then check my summary :

1. ANTIKYTHERA's advice some time ago on the issues which may or may not remain relevent depending on your SSD drive - SSD Configuration from fedora 24 onwards

You will find instructions there on how to:

• edit the fstab file
• permanently enable the fstrim timer in fedora (optional)
• re-configure firefox

1. DD_WIZARD's suggestion is the easier method of adding one more option to the fstab (this is what I did)
   To edit the file, open a terminal in linux
   su
   enter root password (nothing will show, just enter the password, and hit enter)
   You will see the terminal now has a # to the left of the cursor. This indicates you are operating as root user

If you are on workstation, the editor is gedit

gedit /etc/fstab

Make the changes as suggested in the link above - study the section where you are shown the file 'before' and after' but also look at dd_wizard's suggestion.. so you remove default and add noatime,discard,

If you receive messages like gedit not recognised or unable to connect to display or similar error messages: here is the reason:
The desktop environment KDE doesn't come with gedit installed as an editor, I recall the editor is instead kate but this may have changed. In lxde and xfce the editor is not gedit but leafpad and on Cinnamon the editor is xed So you will have to use these alternatives instead of gedit as the command to open the fstab file for editing.

If you are using cinnamon lxde or xfce, you might receive an error when trying to run a gui editor from the terminal - in this case, you must first issue the command startx and enter otherwise - the screen goes blank for a moment and you are back.. then try the command again - you will succeed.

One last thing, when you need that additional language - you will go to the application search or 'start' button as some refer to it.. search for 'input' you will find ibus.. start that up.

Then select preferences and add language.. below there are three dots, that reveals a longer list of languages..

You can edit the preferences there in ibus.. You should now see in your tastbar (this is how it looks in Cinnamon desktop)

The hotkeys are super + space - you can change that if you like. I usually just click in the taskbar to change between languages.

Well, that's it. I kind of rushed the third stage to shorten this post (yes, I tried hard).

I hope this post has shown you something interesting and which might be the start leads to your further support of FOSS and GNU/Linux. May your frustrations be low and may you never find yourself giving up, unless it kills you. Then give it up.

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I posted an image yesterday asking followers to guess what I would post about. In that image, you saw some vape mods, vape juice, a pad, two boxes from my SSD drives which I bought this week and installed. Also a pencil, a note, keyboard and a mouse on a a very nice mousepad. The mousepad was given to me by a good friend who I will now be visiting during the Spring Festival here in Korea.

The reason all those items were laid out there is I had started to write this very long blog post, making the bottles of vape fluid essential. There is one steemian who guessed that this would be an awesome post - if she comes here and comments, claiming her prize - by golly, she will be rolling in crypto to the enormous tune of SBD 0.02 - may I ride in your lambo?

Looking forward to your comments and to those in China, Vietnam, Japan or right here in Korea - Happy Spring Festival - may your travels be safe and your families find prosperity this next year.

^{This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 4.0 International License}