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Beginner query

  • 06-09-2010 4:26pm
    #1
    d'Oracle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,025 ✭✭✭


    Folks.

    I have a Dell Dimension 8600 with some issues and a highly romanticised view of the open source movement in general.

    I'm thinking of removing XP from my dimension all together in favour of Ubuntu or some other handy dandy linux distro. Thus developing an interesting and utopian (read cheaparse) laptop running almost entirely on open source apps. (Gimp, OpenOffice, VLC, firefox etc., just the easy ones, mind)

    Semantics aside, my CD/dvd drive is buggered. So I was wondering if someone could point me towards a good guide as to how to get it done using either my external hdd (used for back up & storage) or a pen drive (yet to be invested in).

    I'm still kind of at the intensive reading phase so any other starter material you can think of would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks ahead.


Comments

  • #2
    Conor108
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,871 ✭✭✭Conor108


    Heres the Ubuntu download page .

    If you click 'USB drive' for option 2 and click 'Show me how' theres a good guide, Thats what I did:)


  • #3
    d'Oracle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,025 ✭✭✭d'Oracle


    Ah....:o


  • #4
    Eliot Rosewater
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,745 ✭✭✭Eliot Rosewater


    Hey d'Oracle! May I suggest that you dual-boot Ubuntu and XP first, instead of removing XP? Then at least if Ubuntu doesn't work out for you (highly unlikely :pac:) or you need to use Windows for something (I had to change my BIOS through Windows the other day, for example) you'll always have that option.


  • #5
    d'Oracle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,025 ✭✭✭d'Oracle


    Thanks for the suggestion.

    But the thing is slow and horrible.
    I have tried a lot of stuff to clean it up to little use.

    I want to format the hard drive to see if it picks up and I think I lost my Windows CD in a move.

    That said, I am curious about you having to change the BIOS through windows. Is this something that happens often? Should I worry about this?


  • #6
    Eliot Rosewater
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,745 ✭✭✭Eliot Rosewater


    d'Oracle wrote: »
    But the thing is slow and horrible.
    I have tried a lot of stuff to clean it up to little use.

    I know the feeling. :)

    I'm not sure if formatting the hard-drive will yield a quicker computer than dual-booting. If you're to install the operating systems side be side you'll resize the Windows partition and then format the rest for use for Ubuntu, so it should be the same. But if you really want to wipe XP, I'm not going to stop you. Every Windows installation wiped is a victory for sanity. :D

    The BIOS thing wasn't routine, and it's unlikely you'll need to do same. In hindsight, I didn't even need to do it myself.


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