First, get the latest CD of the distro you are going to use. Head to ubuntu.com, kubuntu.com, or xubuntu.org and get a CD. And in case you thought you are going to use the LFYDecember 2008 DVD, it ha~ an installation bug that affects Xubuntu. Get the desktop edition, not the server edition.

Now switch on your PC for the first time, and set the date and time on your BIOS. Search for something like "Boot device priority", and set your PC to try booting from the CD first, and then the hard drive. Save your settings, and exit.

When you reboot, your PC will get stuck and complain about the absence of an operating system. So, insert the Kubuntu CD and hit the reset button on the cabinet.

Directly go to Install Kubuntu and start the installation. The installation process of Kubuntu is just seven screenfulls long. The process is very simple. The only place where you need help is for partitioning.

Create a new MBE on Idevlsda, and create a 500 MB ext2 (not 3) for Iboot! a 40 GB XFS for / (root) and a 6 GB swap space. After that, devote the rest of Idevlsda to a partition mounting under ItmplServerTemp. Use XFS here and then the manual partitioning option.

Complete the instaU-ation as usual and reboot into KDE4. At this point, your server should not be connected or configured for any sort of networking at all. You will be working as the root user throughout.

This is a big security issue, I know, but this is the only hassle-free way of getting everything done perfectly. Oh, and make a note of disabling all power saving schemes and screensavers. Since. this is a server, it may need to stay up for years at a stretch, often without months of desktop activity.