Installation
Just attach a supported cdrom (see main page for a link) to your box (*1), insert the installation cd / overlay cd1 and boot the machine (it doesn't matter whether you are using serial console or video/keyboard). Click on "Install System Software" and select "Local CDROM". Now a miniroot image is mounted and you can use the "inst" tool to install software. Enter "open /CDROM/dist"(*2) to read distribution directories. "inst" will ask for every CD you have, so let it read all of them (*3). When you are asked to select a stream, take #2 (feature stream). It contains the same stuff as #1 (the maintenance stream) + new software features. Now select something to install:

	keep *
	install standard
	install prereqs

Note: "install prereqs" may fail, thats not a problem. Next, solve all conflicts and type "go" to install all selected software (you can install more software later).

Maybe some minor errors are reported, but they shouldn't be relevant. After the packages are installed, type quit and wait some time for the post-installation to finish. After that you're asked to reboot the machine. The following first boot initializes some software.
Now the base installation is finished and you can begin to configure some settings via the "System Manager" (e.g. network, users, additional disks).
Quite simple, eh? :)

(*1)
A Teac CD-532S works fine for me. Supports booting, installation and reading.
(*2)
May be /CDROM/dist/dist6.5 for some CDs (like IRIX 6.5 Development Foundation, at least with 6.5.11).
(*3)
Minimal CDs needed:
Either all Overlay CDs (2 or 3) or Installation Tools and all Foundation CDs
The rest is optional, but recommended.


Install on blank disk?
Go to Command Monitor, insert "Installation Tools and Overlays CD1" in your cdrom and type

	boot -f dksc($X,$Y,8)sash64 dksc($X,$Y,7)stand/fx.64 --x	(64bit)

	boot -f dksc($X,$Y,8)sashARCS dksc($X,$Y,7)stand/fx.ARCS --x	(32bit)

where $X is the scsi channel, e.g. "1" for the external and $Y is the scsi id of your cdrom. Systems <= Indigo2 / O² need ARCS, all newer systems are 64bit. This command allows to initialize the disk (label -> create -> all), experienced users (who should not need to read this ;) can partition the disk(s) manually. After that you can install as usual.


Need more software?
Try this: "inst -f http://freeware.sgi.com/Inst/". A list of supplied packages can be found here. Then continue as usual:

	keep *
	install upgrades
	install <insert some packages here>
	install prereqs
	conflicts ... (solve conflicts)
	go

$PATH
Change the default $PATH variable in /etc/default/login and /etc/default/su for normal users and $SUPATH for superusers (root).


Autostart daemon on boot
chkconfig shows installed services. chkconfig $service on/off enables/disables automatic start on boot. chkconfig -f $service on creates a new service and enables it.