Backtrack 5 Installation Guide

Install Backtrack 5 Installation Guide

I will be use VMware Workstation, but these programs are very similar in function. You shouldn't have trouble following along if you are using something else.

Step 1: After everything is installed and running, click “Create new virtual machine”.

Step 2: Next you’re going to select “Installer disc image file” then browse for the backtrack 5 ISO.

Step 3: Select the operating system as linux, and the version as Ubuntu.

Step 4: Give the virtual machine a name such as “Backtrack 5 R3” and select a location for where you want to save the virtual machine files.

Step 5: When asked how much you want the virtual disk drive to be, you want at least 25 GB. This will be the most demanding requirement of Backtrack 5. I went and used 40 GB for my virtual machine. Although the backtrack-linux wiki says you need at least 20 GB, I found you will run out of space by the time you install updates or any other software. Then, you will have the option of storing the virtual disk as a single file, or split into multiple files. Creating a virtual disk as a single file will allocate all of the space right away. Splitting into multiple files means the drive files will grow as you need them. So if your hard drive space is limited on your host system, go with multiple files. If you have a massive drive, and not worried about space, go with a single file.

Step 6: And that’s it! The virtual machine is ready to go. I left mine at 1 GB of ram, if you are limited of memory, you can change this in the virtual machine settings. The recommended minimum memory is 512 MB, however you can try lower if you need to.

Power on the virtual machine and you will be ready to install Backtrack.

Installing Backtrack 5

If you are installing on a hard drive, you will need to burn the Backtrack 5 ISO on to a DVD or a USB Drive. For directions on installing to a USB Drive, see here (link).

Step 1: First turn on your machine, then insert your DVD or USB Drive. Then press the key that allows you to select your boot drive. You may have to go into the bios to enable this. Most often, F12 will work. Select either your DVD drive, or your USB Drive to boot from it. You should see a screen like this:

Step 2:  After a few moments, you will see Backtrack Live CD menu. Press enter on Backtrack Text – Default Boot Text Mode.

Step 3: Wait about 10 seconds, and you will come to Backtrack shell console. Type the command “startx” to load the GUI.

Step 4: After another few moments, you will come to the desktop of Backtrack. Double click on the “Install Backtrack” to begin the install process.

Step 5: After you select your time zone, and language, you then have to partition your drive. If you are using a virtual machine, go ahead and use the whole drive. If you are dual booting, you will have to specify your partition for your two operating systems.

Step 6: Continue through the installer, and then click finish. Backtrack will then install on to your system. This process takes about 10-15 minutes.

Step 7: After it is finish, restart your system.

Backtrack 5 Login

After restarting, you will come to a login screen like this:

The default root name for Backtrack is “root” and the password is “toor”. After typing in the root username and password, you will come back to the Backtrack shell. Type “startx” to enter the GUI desktop.