# Install Options

How do you want to install Red Hat Linux?

A full installation will destroy any previously saved information on the selected partitions.

An upgrade will preserve existing Red Hat Linux system data.

If you want to perform a full installation, you must choose the class (or type) of the installation. Your options are: GNOME Workstation, KDE Workstation, Server, or Custom.

If you are familiar with the `fdisk` partitioning tool, you may select it here. If you do not choose to use `fdisk`, the installer will use the default partitioning tool, `Disk Druid`. `Disk Druid` is a better choice if you do not have prior experience with `fdisk`.

If you don't know which installation class you want, read the following very carefully.

Please note: In addition to the installation methods mentioned below, Red Hat Linux can also be installed "within" an already existing FAT (DOS/Windows) partition. This "partitionless" installation method is selected once you label a DOS partition as / during the `Disk Druid` partitioning screen. It overrides the automatic partition deletion used in workstation-class installations.

Workstation-class installations will install the X Window System and the desktop manager of your choice. A workstation-class installation removes any Linux-related partitions on all installed hard drives (and uses all free unpartitioned disk space). All non-Linux-related partitions will be left untouched, and you will be able to boot other installed operating systems, in addition to Red Hat Linux, after the installation.

If you want your system to function as a Linux-based server, and you don't want to heavily customize your system configuration or install the X Window System, a server-class installation is most appropriate. A server-class installation removes ALL existing partitions on ALL installed hard drives, so choose this installation class only if you're sure you have nothing you want saved! This includes ALL partitions in use by other operating systems. ALL drives will be erased -- we're not kidding!

Only the custom-class installation gives you complete flexibility. During a custom-class installation, it is up to you how disk space should be partitioned. You have complete control over the packages that will be installed on your system. You can also determine whether you'll use LILO to boot your system. Unless you have prior Linux experience, you should not select the custom-class installation method.

For more information concerning the differences among workstation-, server-, and custom-class installations, please refer to the Red Hat Linux Installation Guide.