Home > Rocky Linux or CentOS > Rocky Linux 9.x > System Administration > New machine configuration > Configure new laptop for personal use

OS installation

Prepare bootable Rocky Linux 9 USB using:
```
dd if=Rocky-9.0-x86_64-dvd.iso of=/dev/sdd
sync
```
Assumes umount /dev/sdd* is done and that /dev/sdd does not has any critical data before itself.

This can also be done using Rufus in Windows by using dd clone method while creating the USB
Ideally boot using UEFI (F12) key so that Windows partition and boot manager are left untouched
During installation select
1. In Installation destination
  1. Select all available disks and custom partioning
  2. For partitioning dont format /boot/efi (100MB) and mount it on /boot/efi. Tyepe if "EFI System partiton"
  3. Reformat (or Create new ) root (/) and swap and mount them as / (50GB) and swap (16 GB) respectively
  4. If there is existing /mnt/data1 then mount it on same path without reformat. Or create a lvm /mnt/data1 with all other remaining available space.
  5. Dont mount /mnt/cdrive yet. We may need to install ntfs-3g before we mount that. It is possible only when C-drive is not encrypted using bitlocker.
2. In Software Selection go with "Server with GUI". Select "Graphical Administration Tools" and "System Tools"
3. Select Asia/Kolkata timezone and optional am/pm format, even if time is reported wrong. After installation correct time is automatically shown.
4. Disable kdump and security profile
5. On "Network & Host Name" set hostname as barjatiyarklp(N)
6. Set root and user accounts. Allow root ssh login with password. Make the user administrator.
7. Begin installation

After installation setup repositories:

dnf -y install https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/el/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-9.noarch.rpm
dnf -y install rpmfusion-free-release-tainted
dnf -y install rpmfusion-nonfree-release-tainted

Solve Display issue with K4100M Nvidia graphics card

After installation graphical display may not appear properly.
1. Use Ctl+Alt+F2 to go to second terminal
2. Login as root user
3. Use 'init 3' to get root console
4. Start NetworkManager using:
```
systemctl start NetworkManager
```
5. Use 'nmtui' to activate a connection
```
nmtui
```
6. SSH to the system over network and install nvidia drivers using
```
dnf -y install epel-release
dnf -y config-manager --add-repo https://developer.download.nvidia.com/compute/cuda/repos/rhel9/x86_64/cuda-rhel9.repo
dnf -y install kernel kernel-devel kernel-headers
dnf -y install tar bzip2 make automake gcc gcc-c++ pciutils elfutils-libelf-devel libglvnd-opengl libglvnd-glx libglvnd-devel acpid pkgconfig dkms
dnf -y module install nvidia-driver:latest-dkms
```
  Refer:
  - https://darryldias.me/2022/how-to-install-nvidia-drivers-on-rocky-linux-9/
  - https://www.linuxcapable.com/how-to-install-nvidia-drivers-on-rocky-linux-9/
  In case of barjatiyarklp2 we can avoid nvidia related installation
  Any reinstallation can be done by first removing using
  dnf --noautoremove remove $(rpm -qa | grep nvidia)
  
  dnf module reset nvidia-driver
  
  dnf module install nvidia-driver:open-dkms
  
  As per https://docs.nvidia.com/cuda/cuda-installation-guide-linux/index.html#open-rhel9-rocky9-installation
  
  dkms build nvidia-open/520.61.05 --force
  
  Refer:
  https://askubuntu.com/questions/595035/modprobe-of-nvidia-driver-for-gpu-not-loading-at-boot
  
  https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA/Troubleshooting#Modprobe_Error:_%22Could_not_insert_'nvidia':_No_such_device%22_on_linux_%3E=4.8
7. Reboot the machine and see if graphics display is coming properly
8. In case of Rocky Linux 9 with 5.14 kernel we get nvidia-520 version via dnf. However Quadro K4100M support was stopped at nvidia-470 version. Same is visible in /var/log/messages after boot
```
Nov 19 07:12:17 barjatiyarklp kernel: NVRM: The NVIDIA Quadro K4100M GPU installed in this system is#012NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 470.xx Legacy drivers. Please#012NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more#012NVRM:  information.  The 520.61.05 NVIDIA driver will ignore#012NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
```

Setup Broadcom wireless

Try to setup broadcom wireless using additional repositories:
```
dnf search broadcom
dnf search wl
```
Try to setup realtek wireless driver using
```
dnf -y install git
dnf groupinstall "Development Tools" -y
git clone https://github.com/quickreflex/rtl8188eus
cd rtl8188eus
make
```
Below did not work
- https://askubuntu.com/questions/1170202/how-to-install-rtl8188eus-driver-on-ubuntu-18-04
- https://github.com/ivanovborislav/rtl8188eu - This is compiing in 5.14 kernel
- https://github.com/lwfinger/rtl8188eu
- https://github.com/quickreflex/rtl8188eus
- https://github.com/kelebek333/rtl8188fu -- This is compiling in 5.14 kernel
Finally unable to get realtek or Broadcom wireless drivers for 5.14 kernel that comes with rocky linux 9 at time of this writing.

Using Quamtum QHM300 with 'Ralink Technology, Corp. MT7601U

Wireless Adapter' is working without any additional driver installation requirement.

Initial configuration

Boot and login and skip tour
Allow user to run sudo without password:
```
visudo
```
Enable sudo access without password for wheel group
Ensure that "Location services" are turned off
In "Screen Lock" Disable automatic screen lock and set Blank Screen Delay to never.
In "Power" enable "Show Battery Percentage"
Disable SELinux (setenforce 0, /etc/sysconfig/selinux SELINUX=disabled)
Edit /etc/hosts and add appropriate entries:
- 172.31.1.164 rekallcm1
- Other relevant /etc/hosts entries from other machines
Configure history retention Storing date / time along with commands in history
(Optionally) Configure alias for checking battery status CentOS 7.x check laptop battery information
(Optionally) Logout and change the display to "Standard (X11 Display manager)" from "Standard (Wayland)" and login again
(Optionally) Edit /etc/yum.conf and configure keepcache=1
Full update system using 'dnf -y update --skip-broken --nobest'
dnf -y install epel-release
dnf -y install screen tmux
Start a tmux or screen session for rest of the tasks
CentOS 8.x gnome prevent grouping of similar windows with alt-tab
Optionally Go to settings -> Online accounts and add google account with 5TB storage

/mnt/data1 files

If it is a new laptop with empty /mnt/data1 then copy folloring from old machine to new:

/mnt/data1/large_files/operating_systems
/mnt/data1/plain_folders
/mnt/data1/setup
/mnt/data1/windows_setup
/mnt/data1/workspace/ excluding owncloud folder

If existing laptop is formatted while keeping /mnt/data1 intact then perhaps we only need to empty the owncloud folder under /mnt/data1/workspace

Install and configure required packages

dnf based packages

    dnf -y remove bind-chroot
    dnf -y install htop        #Colorful command-line top
    dnf -y install gimp        #Advanced image editor useful for editing pdf as images
    dnf -y install fdupes      #Duplicate file detection
    dnf -y install p7zip       #Support for 7zip
    dnf -y install expect      #For shell automation.  Includes mkpasswd utility
    dnf -y install bind bind-utils   #For DNS related tasks
    dnf -y install git         #Version control
    dnf -y install wireshark   #Packet capturing
    dnf -y install libreoffice-writer libreoffice-calc libreoffice-impress  #Libreoffice
    dnf -y install telnet nc   #For TCP connection checking
    dnf -y install freerdp     #For xfreerdp to Windows machines
    dnf -y install texlive     #For latex
    dnf -y install brasero     #For burning CD/DVD
    dnf -y install livecd-tools #For creating live USB
    dnf -y install minicom     #For working with serial ports
    dnf -y install iw          #For wireless iw command
    dnf -y install libguestfs-tools  #For virt-sysprep
    dnf -y install ImageMagick  #For image editing
    dnf -y install dia         #For diagrams
    dnf -y install xsane       #For scanning
    dnf -y install texlive-wrapfig texlive-capt-of texlive-ulem texlive-translator #For org-latex exports
    dnf -y install texlive-translator  #For compiling beamer presentations using latex
    dnf -y install gparted     #For partition management
    dnf -y install pandoc      #For documentation generation
    dnf -y install encfs       #For fuse encrypted filesystem
    dnf -y install kolourpaint #Basic image editor
    dnf -y install s-nail      #Replacement for mailx
    dnf -y install python3-distro hplip       #For HP printers, without python3-distro hp-setup, hp-plugin dont work properly
    dnf -y install iotop       #For iops monitoring 
    dnf -y install lm_sensors  #To get motherboard sensors reading
    dnf -y install openconnect #For VPN
    dnf -y install kile okular-libs  #Latex editor -- Give okular library error

Install a few games:

dnf -y install blinken bomber bovo kanagram kapman katomic kblackbox kblocks kbounce kdiamond kfourinline kgoldrunner khangman kigo killbots kiriki kjumpingcube klines kmahjongg kmines knetwalk kolf kollision konquest kreversi kshisen ksirk ksnakeduel kspaceduel ktuberling kubrick lskat picmi trader

Not found packages to be searched later:

    dnf -y install erlang              #Programming
    dnf -y install byobu               #For working in background similar to screen
    dnf -y install nethack xrick zork  #Games
    dnf -y install aria2               #For parallel download

Install brave browser

sudo rpm --import https://brave-browser-rpm-release.s3.brave.com/brave-core.asc
sudo dnf -y install dnf-utils
sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://brave-browser-rpm-release.s3.brave.com/x86_64/
sudo dnf install brave-browser -y

Install Owncloud Desktop client

Latest owncloud client are packaged as AppImage. They can be installed using:

(Optionally) Changed the gnome desktop display to "Standard (X11 Display manager)" from "Standard (Wayland)". This is not mandatory for owncloud to work on Rocky 9.2 onwards.

Check for latest release of AppImageLauncher from https://github.com/TheAssassin/AppImageLauncher/releases Install using something similar to

dnf -y install https://github.com/TheAssassin/AppImageLauncher/releases/download/v2.2.0/appimagelauncher-2.2.0-travis995.0f91801.x86_64.rpm

Go to https://owncloud.com/desktop-app/ and see the version / link of latest AppImage. Version 4.0.0 is linked in below steps. This can be replaced with other version appropriately

As local (not ssh -X) graphical login for non-root user do

cd ~
wget https://download.owncloud.com/desktop/ownCloud/stable/4.0.0.10896/linux-appimage/ownCloud-4.0.0.10896-x86_64.AppImage
chmod +x ownCloud-4.0.0.10896-x86_64.AppImage
./ownCloud-4.0.0.10896-x86_64.AppImage

Add the application to AppLauncher and allow it to be moved ~/Applications folder

Now we can launch owncloud from activities launcher directly
Do not try to sync local cache with server. It mostly does not works. Delete local folder (Assuming no unsaved changes) and download everything from server once for any new installation.

Edit =~/.config/autostart/ownCloud.desktop= which might get created automatically and append '/usr/bin/AppImageLauncher' in Exec line to have:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=ownCloud
GenericName=File Synchronizer
Exec=/usr/bin/AppImageLauncher /home/saurabh/Applications/ownCloud-2.11.1.8438_ea6e60c86079a0631cafa30f477eddd4.AppImage
Terminal=false
Icon=owncloud
Categories=Network
Type=Application
StartupNotify=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
X-GNOME-Autostart-Delay=10

Must do below to stop owncloud from overwriting this on every lauch

sudo chattr +ia ~/.config/autostart/ownCloud.desktop
sudo lsattr ~/.config/autostart/ownCloud.desktop

Install and configure emacs

dnf -y install emacs
Ensure /home/saurabh/.emacs and /home/saurabh/.emacs.d are symlink to appropriate folders of application-data
Validate things are working by opening to-do.org file
Configure nautilus to open .org file via emacs by default

Configure nautlius

Open nautilus
Create bookmarks for (Open folder and press Ctrl+D)
- /mnt/data1/workspace/gbb/owncloud/saurabh
- /mnt/data1
- /mnt/data1/plain_folders/documents/Desktop/rekall
Configure nautilus to open .org file via emacs by default, if not done already
vim ~/.config/user-dirs.dirs #As saurabh user
Comment all except Desktop and Downloads
vim /etc/xdg/user-dirs.default #As root user
Comment all except Desktop and Downloads
Logoff and login again
Open nautilus and remove bookmarks for Documents, Music, Videos and Pictures

Refer:

https://askubuntu.com/questions/762591/how-to-remove-unwanted-default-bookmarks-in-nautilus

Install vlc

dnf -y install vlc

Refer:

https://www.tecmint.com/install-vlc-media-player-in-rhel-centos-fedora/

Optionally install Skype

Download skype rpm from https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/download-skype-for-desktop/
Install the rpm using:
```
dnf -y localinstall <rpm-name>
```

Configure firefox

Ensure that /home/saurabh/.mozilla is symlink to application-data folder
Starting firefox and see that various profiles are appearing properly.
Validate history and stored passwords are working as expected

Install and configure thunderbird

dnf -y install thunderbird

Create symbolic link

ln -s /mnt/data1/workspace/application-data/thunderbird/ .thunderbird
chown -h saurabh:saurabh .thunderbird

Run thunderbird and validate email accounts are accessible
Set date-format display using OpenSuse Leap 15 Change date-format displayed in Thunderbird
Optionally set correct calendar response email ID using CentOS 8.x Thunderbird calendar invitation response email address

Configure SSH

Symbolic link ssh from /mnt/data1

cd /home/saurabh
ln -s /mnt/data1/workspace/application-data/ssh .ssh
chown -h saurabh:saurabh .ssh

ssh root@rekallcm1
Enter passphrase (4cs..) and enable automatic unlock during login

Install Google chrome

Refer CentOS 7.x Installing Google chrome
Start chrome
Do not make chrome default browser and Disable submitting of usage information
Test by opening www.google.com

Configure git

Configure various git parameters:

        git config --global user.name "Saurabh Barjatiya"
        git config --global user.email "saurabh [at] sbarjatiya.com"  #Correct email address
        git config --global color.ui true
        git config --global color.status auto
        git config --global color.branch auto
        git config --global core.editor vim

Configure to use simple push by default
```
git config --global push.default simple
```
Refer https://stackoverflow.com/questions/21839651/git-what-is-the-difference-between-push-default-matching-and-simple

Postfix and logwatch

Configure postfix gmail relay using CentOS 8.x postfix send email through relay or smarthost with smtp authentication
Edit /etc/aliases and add barjatiya.saurabh [at] gmail.com as alias for root.
newaliases
Install and configure logwatch
systemctl restart postfix
systemctl enable postfix

Optionally add Windows boot option

CentOS 7.x Add Windows 7 boot option to grub2
Reboot into Windows and check it is working

Install Teamviewer

Get latest teamviewer setup from https://www.teamviewer.com/en-us/download/linux/
Install using 'dnf -y localinstall ./<file-name>'

Re-add various older VMs

Refer CentOS_8.x_Configure_rekallcm1_(high-end_desktop)_with_software_raid,_lxc,_kvm_and_other_utilities#Re-add_various_older_VMs

dnf -y install libvirt virt-manager
Add VMs with "Import existing disk image" option

Install nomachine

CentOS 8.x Install nomachine

Note that Noamchine works only in wayland. It is not working with X11 display.

Sync files from rekallcm1

cp /mnt/data1/plain_folders/documents/room-documents/documents/programs/shell_scripts/sync_files_from_rekallcm1.sh /root
cd
./sync_files_from_rekallcm1.sh

(Optionally) Install openvpn

Install and configure openvpn for older Sophos firewall using

dnf -y install openvpn
cp /mnt/data1/plain_folders/documents/room-documents/documents/programs/shell_scripts/gbb-* /root/
cp /mnt/data1/plain_folders/documents/room-documents/documents/programs/shell_scripts/rocky9-gbb* /root/


#Based on https://forums.rockylinux.org/t/installing-pritunl-vpn-client-on-rocky-linux-9/6827/2
update-crypto-policies --set LEGACY

#In another terminal test vpn
cat gbb-*
openvpn --config rocky9-gbb_*

In case of older Sophos firewall, the config file should have:

data-ciphers-fallback AES-128-CBC
tls-version-min 1.0
tls-cert-profile insecure
providers legacy default
data-ciphers AES-256-GCM:AES-128-GCM:AES-128-CBC

for backward protocol and cipher support.

Install and configure Anydesk

Refer CentOS 8.x Install anydesk

Restore backup of anydesk configuration:

cd ~/.anydesk
mv user.conf user-old.conf
ln -s /mnt/data1/workspace/application-data/anydesk/anydesk-saurabh-user.conf user.conf

Install and configure RustDesk

Download rustdesk after expanding "Assets" at https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk/releases At time of writing there was no specific Rocky 9.x rpm so use https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk/releases/download/nightly/rustdesk-1.2.0-0.x86_64-fedora28-centos8.rpm instead.

Pending

Package based installations

Unable to find below on Rocky 9.x

    yum -y install yaws        #Erlang web server
    yum -y install bzr kdiff3  #For versioning and comparing files
    yum -y install unetbootin liveusb-creator livecd-tools #For creating live bootable USB from iso files

Home > Rocky Linux or CentOS > Rocky Linux 9.x > System Administration > New machine configuration > Configure new laptop for personal use

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Contents

OS installation

Solve Display issue with K4100M Nvidia graphics card

Setup Broadcom wireless

Initial configuration

/mnt/data1 files

Install and configure required packages

dnf based packages

Install brave browser

Install Owncloud Desktop client

Install and configure emacs

Configure nautlius

Install vlc

Optionally install Skype

Configure firefox

Install and configure thunderbird

Configure SSH

Install Google chrome

Configure git

Postfix and logwatch

Optionally add Windows boot option

Install Teamviewer

Re-add various older VMs

Install nomachine

Sync files from rekallcm1

(Optionally) Install openvpn

Install and configure Anydesk

Install and configure RustDesk

Pending

Package based installations

Navigation

Navigation

Wiki tools

Wiki tools

Anonymous

Search

Rocky 9.x Configure new laptop for personal use

OS installation

Solve Display issue with K4100M Nvidia graphics card

Setup Broadcom wireless

Initial configuration

/mnt/data1 files

Install and configure required packages

dnf based packages

Install brave browser

Install Owncloud Desktop client

Install and configure emacs

Configure nautlius

Install vlc

Optionally install Skype

Configure firefox

Install and configure thunderbird

Configure SSH

Install Google chrome

Configure git

Postfix and logwatch

Optionally add Windows boot option

Install Teamviewer

Re-add various older VMs

Install nomachine

Sync files from rekallcm1

(Optionally) Install openvpn

Install and configure Anydesk

Install and configure RustDesk

Pending

Package based installations

Navigation

Wiki tools

Page tools

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