FC 2 Installation - Small Problem and Many Questions

[bamboo_spider]

1st Question: I just received a copy of FC 2 on a DVD however my DVD player just conked and there is no way to attach an external one or access one through the network, is there some way that I can convert the DVD into cd's and do the install. (I do have an external cd player though)

2nd Question: How do I upgrade from FC1 to FC2 - will my existing partitions remain as they are or will I have to redo it. I want to keep my /home as it is -
Do I have to back up /home

3rd Any tips on what to watch out for during the FC2 install. The laptop I will be doing it on is described below.

My essential requirements are:
1. Office Productivity
2. Email and Internet and IM's
3. Photo scanning and editing
4. Graphics
5. Connecting to a Win XP DHCP network
6. Part time File Server
7. Fast boot up and shut down

Is there an MS access style dbase already a part of the FC2 or should I install Rekall
I know my machine is not high end now but It is capable of all these - albiet slowly - so how do I optimize and what do I optimize.

Should I be connected to the network during the instal - its a win xp dhcp network with a firewall ?
Is there any point in increasing the swap to more than twice the existing RAM ?

I have only one USB port through which I will be connecting to the cd player for the installation so how do I make sure the FC 2 knows that there are many other USB devices that it should install.

Where will I be able to get a manual / FAQ for the FC2 install.

Finally my command line understanding is not very strong and would prefer GUI directions however in a crunch can follow instructions as long as it means just following them only.

Thanks for the help and advice in advance

[imdeemvp]

start here Unofficial FC2 Guide (http://fedoraguide.org/fc2/fc2beginnersguide.html)

and Fedora Core FAQ (http://www.fedorafaq.org/)

[bamboo_spider]

Thanks imdeemvp

below are two more places

www.mjmwired.net/resources/mjm-fedora-fc2.shtml
http://stanton-finley.net/fedora_core_2_installation_notes.html

[Jman]

1. You may be able to copy all the rpms to a hard drive (http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-9-Manual/install-guide/s1-begininstall-net.html) and setup a network install or something. (I know, link's Red Hat 9.)

2. Upgrade - select the upgrade option. Simple as that.

Don't know of many Access type databases, only the one in OpenOffice.org. There are SQL databases like MySQL.

Don't install everything as that makes startup slower with all those services.

Connecting to network is a good idea for when the installer tries to connect to DHCP.

I would just leave the swap at about twice RAM.

kudzu should detect many hardware devices, especially at boot up, so don't worry about not having them plugged in.

There should be release notes included, some last minute information. Several people have written install guides based on their experience.

[bamboo_spider]

Thanks Jman

[imdeemvp]

Thanks imdeemvp

below are two more places

www.mjmwired.net/resources/mjm-fedora-fc2.shtml
http://stanton-finley.net/fedora_core_2_installation_notes.html

very good info here!