I am a complete noob when it comes to computers ( I can build them but know nothing about applications, bash commands and such) I want a linux based system that can practically open applications without the need to use commands . I hope im making sense. suggestions anyone? I want to switch because i have an old laptop that is laying around (armada 7400, 64mb ram, 300mhz) that has xp pro on it but is extremely slow and I have gotten suggestions that i should try linux.. Please tell me how to install it and such.. I wont mind if its 4 pages long either
Most linux distros still require that you know a little of the commands. There are those that looks as identical to xp as it can be, but you still need to know the commands a bit too. As far as switching...
Installation is fairly simple, if you know how to do an xp install, some distros are as easy as that. However, they're not all the same. When you pick a distro, their site should have documentations and tutorials and such you can follow. One source you can try is ubuntu for now. http://www.ubuntu.com/
There are others that it really just depends on how you want to use it or how you like it to look like.
You are going to find out fast that Linux "requires" commands to install and run even with updated distros. At present I am simply trying to one of the boot loaders alone installed onto a second hard drive here. Here's one step for creating a Linux boot floppy with Lilo(boot loader) installed to the floppy's own master boot record. It goes as follows.
With Lilo installed to the master boot record on the hard drive later it can be used to install the new release of Zenwalk which is a small Linux distro(409mb) that can written to a cd-r. GPart an excellent Linux partitioning tool was used already here to create the two not 3 or 4 partitions usually needed to run Zenwalk on. Let's see that's the "root" and "swap" partitions there.
I'm a Linux "newbie" myself just trying to get the basics going here. Having run a Red Hat distrobution on another build dual booting with Windows it can get quite involved just getting familar with the Bash commands alone not including the other sets of commands for various distros. Linux is based on the old UNIX programming structure. In those days computers were main frames with large tape reels. Newer Distros are now starting to require 32mb of ram where the first versions ran on only 4mb. Start reading the tutorials and ask Linux users for help.
I think i might just install it striaght to my hd and wipe off windows.. after I dual boot it and see if I realy like it.
I just bought the pclinux os .93a.. aka big daddy. It was the most recently release and ive heard fairly good reviews. If that fails, ill go ahead and try unbuntu
just curious... how do you exactly get it to dual boot? steps would be appreciated ! thanks for hanging in there with me with my nooby questions
sorry about this double post but i hope it merges...
I would really like to know more about linux on the way since I have so much time 9 i finish homework fairly quickly) How long would you think it would take to get the basics? Im going to go out to the bookstore and get a book on this stuff
Running a good search or first visiting a Linux forum will usually provide links for both online tutorials and publications available. Unlike dual booting two versions of Windows with the newer version being second on a two partition drive or running two versions on separate drives with boot.ini modified there Linux needs it's own type of boot loader.
Older distros specifically needed Lilo or the newer Grub to load a distro from a command prompt with the correct bash command or commands used there. So how did I first dual OS a spare drive with 3.1, 95, and 98SE on the first half of a drive and Linux on the second half? 3.1 and 95 soon got the boot by the time Linux was up and running due to a problem getting something copied to the drive.
Once 98 later followed by XP was on with Fedora a simple boot of the system with a floppy gave the choice of OSs to load. And what was on the 3 1/2" floppy? Ubuntu's boot manager which readily detects and displays the partitions detected on one or more drives. That made life easier then a trip into the bios to change boot settings there back and forth! ! loved it!
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