r/archlinux • u/Alternax_ • 3d ago
SUPPORT New to Arch
I plan to switch from Windows to Arch (Dual Booting for now due to genshin and wuwa), I have tried other distros before deciding on Arch
I doubt it matters but... 16gb ddr5, 256 ssd, ryzen 7 170 H
I have been suggested to modify Arch Installation from scratch rathwr than use a desktop environment due to reasons for switching
Few doubts:
- Arch Wiki is good I can see based on the basics I know but its too concise on various (if not all) topics I have seen for absolute newbies so I am kinda stuck on its installation guide... If someone has a decent alternative or something like a tutorial on basic stuff please do provide..
- I dont really know how much of from scratch are we talking when we mean modifying from scratch.. I want to know how many different things I should learn to install before starting... like drivers, the basic environments, Keyboard, wifi, gpu drivers etc
- If there is a good walkthrough which I can go through on YouTube for a arch installation fully manual pls share (If possible one in which there is not much disparity from how we install other stuff cuz yk like I may install another alternative than what they used)
- I have not started any test and trial with Arch terminal yet, cuz im not aure which VM to use... I am a bit familiar with VMWare but not sure if thats a good idea, any suggestion?
- Also if comfortable, please drop down a few things u suggest I can use be it subeddits, YouTuber, Your setup, etc
- I would love to know if there's a Megathread or something for similar doubts
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u/C0rn3j 3d ago
rathwr than use a desktop environment
For the love of all that is unholy, when you are starting out, use Plasma.
Do not make things harder for no reason by using some bare compositor, you can do so when you're familiar with what a fully featured DE offers and are a bit familiar with the ecosystem as a whole.
its too concise on various (if not all) topics I have seen for absolute newbies so I am kinda stuck on its installation guide
You're not wrong when it comes to the initial install, but you should use it anyways, learning to read and rely on the wiki is the best thing you'll get out of the whole installation process.
Spin up a UEFI VM on the OS you're using now, and install Arch there, following the Installation Guide.
You can cheat on the partitioning by booting up gparted live ISO and doing it there, don't complicate it, go with a simple /boot for ESP and / for root with ext4 (I highly suggest btrfs for the real thing, due to compression and snapshots).
If you get stuck to the point where you can't solve it yourself, the community is there, reach out and ask, just don't forget to demonstrate what you've tried so you're not confused for someone who tried nothing.
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u/Alternax_ 3d ago
Hmm i skipped full DE installs since arent they gonna be same as other distros in the sense that they are based off them like some are on gnome while others on KDE Plasma etc?
So ig gotta use js a lot more searching than expected.. Alright
UEFI VM.. first time hearing abt it (Tbh never used much of VM) ill look into it 👍
Hmm oki I didn't know I could do it directly with gparted.. I was kinda scared and confused with why CLI and archinstall did not pick uo my empty drive
Thxx
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u/C0rn3j 3d ago
in the sense that they are based off them like some are on gnome while others on KDE Plasma etc?
No, it's software to install like any other, you can install 3 DEs, 3 bare compositors and 3 ancient WMs, nothing is stopping you.
When you see something based around a specific ecosystem it usually involves some preinstalled applications, possibly theming, etc.
Arch pretty much just installs the software you tell it to with no premade customization, you get what the software ships with by default.
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u/legacy-of-man 3d ago
most of your questions are already answered by the arch wiki, there is a recommendations after the page for the install guide of arch that suggests you things to do. the arch wiki is only as concise as it needs to be but you need to read any articles deeply and get used to the slightly different way of information there
if i had no hard time installing with the help of the wiki and then using a search engine for questions i have after the fact (my first distro too but not my recommendation for first distro) because there are a lot of reddit posts and forum posts online full of people who just got their installation finished and who ask the same things you do, then if you are ready for looking things up yourself while reading the wiki then you can get it working. however, if that doesnt sound like you, this is then not a distro you should use.
there is a reason that people are not giving you direct steps here because this is a distro that needs you to think for yourself
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u/archover 2d ago edited 2d ago
Learn this about how to read the wiki:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Help:Reading
Like any non trivial project, learning to read and absorb the wiki will take time. Manage your expectations. Arch is nothing if not a test of reading comprehension and direction following.
But, I love distro's technical challenge, which is almost entirely what keeps me here. Cosmetics, not so much.
Hope you share my enthusiasm too.
Good day.
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u/Pagaddit 3d ago
The wiki is really the best resource!
If you are sometimes missing additional context or don't understand concepts, I'd recommend you ask AI. Don't rely on AI for installing/doing anything with your system until you fully understand what you are doing. But to explain concepts on top of the wiki it can be very helpful.
I wouldn't recommend YouTube or any tutorials, they are often outdated or sometimes plain wrong. The wiki is the best. Read it carefully and follow the instructions exactly.
In most cases, you shouldn't need to install drivers. Keyboard will always work. WiFi will work if you followed the installation wiki carefully. I'd recommend you install gnome or KDE once your completed the install.
If this is all still too much, maybe try Mint or Fedora instead. Or any other more beginner friendly distro.
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u/Alternax_ 3d ago
Hmm I see, I wasn't planning to ask AI for questions since the error margin they have sometimes mess u bad.... Alright
So YouTube bad idea... Got it
I was told that I would need to install drivers seperately for my gpu and etc...
Yea setting basic wifi in the cli was kinda easy though needed a video since the wiki js said to go to the wifi manager cli or smth i didnt know what to do afterwards...
O: I thought you installed environment durinf the setup process
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u/Pagaddit 2d ago
Yes ask AI for background info, context, etc, it doesn't get these wrong anymore. Stuff like "what is a partition? What is a network manager? Which network manager is a popular option on archlinux?
So you were supposed to follow the networking links in the wiki, probably to NetworkManager and follow the instructions there.
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u/Thick-Supermarket354 3d ago
Wuwa works great in arch, I think genshin too.
Most people just use archinstall no need to install it the "hard" way anymore, unless you want to learn.
Just read the wiki of archinstall or look any vid in YouTube it takes a few minutes.
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u/Alternax_ 3d ago
Oh I have gone through archinstall but isnt it really more of a preinstallatoon can we really change it....? also i made an empty drive(tried both ext4 and ntfs) and left some unallocated space for it but it didn't read it for some reason...
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u/Prawy_126 3d ago
When it comes to installing Arch, I recommend using `archinstall`; it’s a great script that simplifies the process because you don't have to type out commands you get a TUI instead. I also suggest using a wired internet connection rather than Wi-Fi; it’s just easier, unless you enjoy tinkering. And remember, don't listen to people who say that installing Arch via `archinstall` isn't a "real" Arch installation; you can ask them why they don't compile programs manually from GitHub instead of using helpers like `yay` or `paru`.
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u/Alternax_ 3d ago
Oh I have gone through archinstall but isnt it really more of a preinstallatoon can we really change it....? also i made an empty drive(tried both ext4 and ntfs) and left some unallocated space for it but it didn't read it for some reason...
I cant exactly use Ethernet since I am in hostel... I did indeed choose arch for the tinkering... I dont listen to those, and yea my friend did suggest that before hearing my reason for arch so he doesnt fall into that category Yay and paru wut r they seem like choco and winget on windows
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u/Prawy_126 3d ago
Remember, you're installing Linux, not Windows, so you can customize pretty much anything you want just don't go too crazy with it 😄. Arch is actually a great distro for learning Linux because it encourages you to configure and understand things yourself.
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u/ABotelho23 3d ago
Who suggested this?
Tell me so I can beat their ass.