linux

TomTom

I'm a seasoned computer user, but I've decided to give linux a serious bash. I've installed different versions a few times but failed to see the attraction. This time I'm more serious about wanting to use it. The reason i'm posting this is because I wnat to know which is the best version of it for a complete newbie?

Magic Monkey

I installed Debian 3.0_r0 a few days ago, first-time installing GNU/Linux, I'm also a complete Linux newbie.
Using KDE 2.2.2 and I like it a lot so far.

You can get it from http://ftp.heanet.ie

OfflerCrocGod

try mandrake 8.2 if you are a total newbie on installing Linux distro's it holds your hand through-out and is a rather good distro for newbies if you want elx is a good distro if you want good network/windows from-box support a new version is coming out soon it should be good.If you really are new to linux debian is a bit tough to start of on it wont be as easy to use as other "desktop friendly" distros . Dont get mandrake 9 get 8.2 if you can 9 was relesed before its time... but maybe its ready now:D , beware all the distros I mentioned are downloadable if you have the bandwith , others though try to get you to pay , which is kinda crummy seeing as its OSS.

Good Luck.

TomTom

I've decided to go for mandrake 9. just have 2Gb of downloading to do now.

jscully

Just remember that if you want your PC to dual boot (ie. have windows and linux), make sure that you defragment your hard disk before you install linux.

The Mandrake 9.0 installation is painless, but I'd advise that you note your current modem and sound card settings, including their COM port numbers.

Christ, I'm so boring

TomTom

why is the defrag so important?

I'm going to install it on a new 120Gb drive. I plan on installing Win2k first and then Mandrake and having seperate win drives for movies and mp3's, apps and games.

Typedef

If you are running the FAT filesystem on your entire hard disk, then to resize it you first have to have moved data from the end of the partition (ie) defragment it.

If you are using NTFS on the entire hard disk and need to resize, then you will have to use partition magic to resize the partition (since M$ haven't released enough specs of the filesystem to make it 'safe' to resize NTFS, but have sold the rights to 'whoever makes partition magic').

so there.

TomTom

Another question, The img i'm downloading is over 700mb in size. Will this extract onto one CD or does the image expand onto several CD's?

jscully

It fits fine onto one 700MB CD

TomTom

sorry about all the questions, but there are two other optional images that are about 700mb and 500mb. What are these?

jscully

I downloaded all three files. CDs 1 and 2 are needed for a full installation. I think that the third file contains extra software, but I haven't looked at it, nor was it needed!

TomTom

I'm only at 327Mb on the first CD at 24.1Kb/Sec
Don't think I'll even get CD1 done today.

TomTom

Just lost the download.
Anyone have a copy that they could post to me. I'll reimburse you for the CD's.Or Pay you for it.

jscully

Where do you live?

TomTom

Kilcormac
Co.Offaly

Magic Monkey

You could buy it from Celtic Linux?

The way I installed Debian was (following instructions from here ) :

1. Defrag the hard-disk
2. Download Partition Magic and re-size the disk (I left 3GB of free space).
3. Burn CD-1 using Nero, reboot, go into BIOS, change 'Boot' settings to boot from CD, reboot, Install Linux!

jscully

I would have offered! It's just that my mate Gumz in the Humour forum won't let me. Something about somebody slagging him off ..... Ah well.

Why don't you get one of those pieces of software that allows you to continue a download after it has crashed?

Typedef

pish pash.

just ask on the ILUG
www.linux.ie

TomTom

I did not insult him, it was BIG Chief

TomTom

anyone you could recommend to ask?

jscully

Check out this link for people offering to burn linux distributions onto CD. Click Here

schrodinger

On the subject of installing linux distros. I plan to soon obtain a copy of the latest iso of either debian or slackware and install one of them onto a hard drive with FreeBSD already installed. Now someone informed me that linux likes to be before cylinder 1024. Is this true? Is there anything I have to do before I install linux or can I install without fear of losing FreeBSD?

Typedef

Maybe early versions of lilo required the partition to be under the 1024 cylinder, but if you get Slack or Debian (a current version) you won't have that problem.

Edit: in any case all you have to do is to install lilo to the root partition of your linux install and make that partition bootable, the FreeBSD bootloader should pick it up.

Or you could do what I do and use GRUB... which is sweat.

eof

daveirl

This post has been deleted.