Introduction

Welcome, brave digital explorer, to your very own Solus installation expedition! Solus is a rolling‐release Linux distribution designed for home computing, emphasizing performance, usability, and a clean, modern desktop experience. If you’ve ever wanted a system that “just works,” with curated packages and a snappy interface, you’ve come to the right place. Buckle up your seatbelt (or at least fasten your seatbelt emoji), because we’re about to dive deep into the Solus universe.

Why Choose Solus?

• Rolling Release: Always up to date with the latest software, without painful upgrades.
• Curated Repository: Only stable, well-tested packages make the cut.
• Budgie Desktop: Solus’s flagship environment sleek, modern, and intuitive.
• Community-Driven: Active forums and frequent updates courtesy of passionate developers.

System Requirements

Step 1: Download the Solus ISO

First, head over to the official Solus download page:

https://getsol.us/download

Choose your preferred desktop environment ISO: Budgie, GNOME, MATE, or Plasma. If you’re indecisive, Budgie is the flagship and a great starting point.

Step 2: Verify the ISO (Optional but Encouraged)

Verifying checksums ensures you didn’t accidentally download a corrupted file. On Linux or macOS:

sha256sum Solus-.iso

Compare the output against the SHA256SUMS file on the download page. If they match, you’re golden.

Step 3: Create a Bootable USB

You have many tools at your disposal. Three popular choices:

1. Etcher – user-friendly, cross-platform.
2. Rufus – Windows-only, but lightning fast.
3. dd – the classic Linux command-line method.

Example using dd on Linux:

sudo dd if=Solus-.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress  sync

Warning: Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device. One wrong letter and you might wipe your entire hard drive. You’ve been warned.

Step 4: Configure BIOS/UEFI

• Reboot your machine and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (commonly F2, F10, DEL).
• Disable Secure Boot if your system doesn’t support custom keys.
• Set USB as the first boot device or use the one-time boot menu (F12 on many systems).

Step 5: Boot the Solus Installer

With your USB plugged in, reboot. You should see the Solus boot menu. Choose “Install Solus.” Voilà—welcome to the live environment!

Step 6: Partitioning

Partitioning can be fun… or terrifying. We’ll keep it simple:

Use the graphical partitioner in the installer. If you’re dual-booting, shrink your existing partition first.

Step 7: Installation Wizard

1. Select Language – Pick your native tongue or one you want to impress people with.
2. Timezone – Because time travel is still not supported.
3. Keyboard Layout – QWERTY, AZERTY, Dvorak… your call.
4. User Setup – Create a username and password. Tip: avoid “password123.”
5. Review Install – Double-check everything before committing to digital history.

Click “Install” and grab a coffee. This might take a few minutes.

Step 8: First Boot

Once installation finishes, reboot. Remove the USB drive when prompted and watch Solus sprout to life. If all goes well, you’ll see the login screen of your chosen desktop environment.

Step 9: Post‐Install Configuration

• Update Your System:

  sudo eopkg update-repo
  sudo eopkg upgrade

• Enable Additional Repos:

  For more packages, you can enable third-party repo. Use with caution!

• Install Multimedia Codecs:

  sudo eopkg install ffmpeg gstreamer gstreamer-plugins-bad gstreamer-plugins-good

• Graphics Drivers: Most open-source drivers install automatically. For NVIDIA cards:

  sudo eopkg install nvidia-current nvidia-current-glx

Step 10: Customize Your Desktop

One of the joys of Solus is how easily you can tweak your environment:

• Budgie Settings: Change applets, tweak panel layout, and switch themes.
• System Themes: Install new GTK/QT themes from GNOME-Look.
• Fonts: A little Inconsolata or Liberation can make your terminal look like a dream.

Troubleshooting Tips

• No Boot: Recheck BIOS settings (UEFI vs. Legacy). Try a different USB port.
• Wi-Fi Won’t Connect: Install firmware packages:

  sudo eopkg install linux-firmware

• Black Screen on Boot: Append nomodeset to kernel parameters in GRUB.
• Software Missing: Search via eopkg search ltpackagegt or add third-party repos.

Conclusion

Congrats! You’ve successfully installed Solus and taken the first step into a sleek, fast, and community-driven Linux experience. Whether you’re browsing the web, coding the next big app, or just streaming cat videos, Solus has your back. Now go forth, customize boldly, and enjoy your spanking-new operating system!