I downloaded FreeBSD and ran through the wizard with defaults. I did follow GaryH Tech's video just to get familiar with the install screens. The one thing I forget about these YouTuber's BSD install videos is that they are plugged in via ethernet. I thought it would make sense at the time and selected the option for ntpd to check time during the install. Big mistake since my wireless network card wasn't detected and not plugged in at the time.
Reboot the system and logged in as a user and not root. Of course ntpd was checking for the time continously. I had to search online how to stop this for now. I couldn't finish typing any commands without it refreshing the error. Found commands SUDO SERVICE NTPD STOP but that didn't work in the user account or when I logged into root. Trick was typing SERVICE NTPD STOP in order for this error to stop. I assume I will need to find the configuration file to make this stop until I can get the network hardware working.
Keyboard lighting worked out of the box with FN+SPACEBAR similar to any other OS I've previously installed. This was nice to have working for those late nights and early mornings.
Next I tested simple commands like EXIT to log out of an account, POWEROFF to shut down the laptop.
I wired up the laptop in my office and setup ethernet networking. This started working and I was able to ping some addresses to confirm. I've left it plugged in for now since wi-fi isn't working. I haven't made this a priority since the batteries are completely dead and the laptop needs to be plugged in to work. I will figure out wi-fi in the future and have it on my todo list.
Next step was figuring out how to update this install. I'm used to seeing notifications in a regular Linux install but of course nothing happens in a terminal only wiindow. The FreeBSD handbook is amazing. I can find mostly everything here without having to use a search engine. In terms of using a search engine, the alternative engines that search only blogs are a great option to read what other BSD users have learned.
Typed PKG UPDATE to download the latest packages.
Performed a system update, # freebsd-update fetch, then # freebsd-update install and rebooted. So far so good but I wanted to figure out how to view my system details. I needed to know what was working or not.
Typed PCICONF -lv | less for hardware details. I also installed sysinfo via PKG INSTALL SYSINFO to get more information. DMIDECODE is another similar program that I installed too. This was nice to learn and have it saved to a text file to view afterwards. I typed DMIDECODE >> SYSYTEMINFO.TXT and then EDIT SYSTEMINFO.TXT to review it with the default editor.
Tested sound using utility beep. Sound came out of my speakers so I figured I didn't need to do anything else at the moment.
Next I connected an external monitor because 1080p text on a small screen is not good for any long periods of a user with older eyes. Of course it didn't work but I'm used to plug and play, why would I think I needed to install a driver for my GPU if I could see that my laptop screen is working!
Typed PCICONF -lv | grep -B3 display to get the details.
AMD/ATI Wani (Radeon R5/R6/R7 Graphics) showed up on my screen. Ok, so now I typed SYSRC KLD_LIST+=AMDGPU and it started working. I recall I had to turn the monitor off and on and perhaps I did reboot just to make sure. Keep in mind I had the HDMI cable connected during the install in case it was required.
After going through all of this, I called it a night. I was proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and learning how to command line my life! Honestly it isn't too hard once you learn some basics and have a handbook to reference. I write down my findings as I go along to help me remember what I have done. I'm sure I will need it again in the future. Next time I will try out web browsing and play some music.