Before installation begins, make sure there are no important files left on your future Linux PC's hard drive. All existing partitions and file systems are erased and overwritten during the installation process.
Installing Linux today is not much different from installing Windows XP. Just put your CD or DVD into the drive and reboot your machine. When the installation routine starts up, you'll first see a simple screen, asking you to choose between graphical or text-based installation. Press Enter here and skip the installation media test screen. Now you will be greeted with a fully graphical installer. Select the appropriate installation language and pick Personal Desktop as the installation type.
In the Disk Partition Setup, select Automatically Partition and then, on the next screen, choose Remove All Partitions on This System. Confirm the warning on the pop-up screen. Leave the Boot Loader Configuration untouched, and proceed to the Network Configuration. The Fedora installer will set your system to use the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to obtain an automatic IP address and DNS server information.
If you need to configure a static IP address for your system, do it now. Leave the Firewall Configuration at the default settings and select your appropriate time zone at the next screen.
On the Set Root Password screen, you'll be prompted to create the authentication credentials for the administrative user. Remember the password; you'll need it to access any administrative functions.
Don't change the Package Installation Default on the next screen. Confirm your intent to install, thus writing the new OS to your hard drive. This procedure will take some time, so if you're installing from DVD, grab a cup of coffee. If you're installing from a set of CDs, you'll have to stick around to change discs when prompted.
Once all the packages are installed, you're almost ready to log on to your new system. You have to agree to the Fedora license, then set the date, time, color depth, and screen resolution. The system should give you only choices compatible with your configuration. You also have to create a system user and test the detected sound capabilities. Skip the Additional CDs screen and, voilà, you're done.