Complete Noob For Linux

[kelv23]

title says it all.Im looking to get off of Windows and onto a different OS.I've been trying to save for a Mac but its taking too long so I'm considering running Linux on a laptop instead.

Is anyone currently running Linux on a lappie?

If so whcih distribution would be best for a laptop?

Im going to be designing graphics etc (used the GIMP for windows and loved it !) photo editing and your average Windows type of stuff (office etc)

Any help,tips or recommendations are more than welcom.

Thanks

[Tywais]

Since there are over a hundred different distributions out there you have a lot of choices. But I would list the following for ease of installation and completeness.

Suse

Mandrake

Redhat

[Brew]

try ubuntu www.ubuntu.com

[Richard-BKK]

Newbie+notebook=Suse 10

Suse 10 has probably the best support for new hardware, also it is easy to install and really user friendly for newbie users.

Ubuntu is also fine, but if you need a complete installation you better go for Suse 10

[francois]

hi'

I'll second the Suse advice, as it's probably the most user friendly on install than any other, and beside the hardware setup is easy as abc

go for Suse Linux 10.0, 1000% sure

you'll have anything you need to work

francois

[kelv23]

Just downloaded SLAX as it was small and relatively quick,also got KNOPPIX as a larger distribution.Unzipped the files but havent got a clue which files to burn to make the live cd's.

Which files do I need to burn on to the cd? All of them?

Any sites on the net say "burn the ISO file" not that much help really

Can anyone help please?

Edited October 26, 2005 by kelv23

[kelv23]

Just downloaded SLAX as it was small and relatively quick,also got KNOPPIX as a larger distribution.Unzipped the files but havent got a clue which files to burn to make the live cd's.

Which files do I need to burn on to the cd? All of them?

Any sites on the net say "burn the ISO file" not that much help really

Can anyone help please?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

as a PS i am running it on an Intel Celeron chip if that makes any difference when I do get the cd's done

[Tywais]

Just downloaded SLAX as it was small and relatively quick,also got KNOPPIX as a larger distribution.Unzipped the files but havent got a clue which files to burn to make the live cd's.

Which files do I need to burn on to the cd? All of them?

Any sites on the net say "burn the ISO file" not that much help really

Can anyone help please?

The iso file is the CD image file of the distribution. It contains the entire CD contents in the one file. Need a program like Nero Burning or WinISO to extract/burn the contents to a CD. Your CD burner may already have the necessary software to do it.

[kelv23]

Just downloaded SLAX as it was small and relatively quick,also got KNOPPIX as a larger distribution.Unzipped the files but havent got a clue which files to burn to make the live cd's.

Which files do I need to burn on to the cd? All of them?

Any sites on the net say "burn the ISO file" not that much help really

Can anyone help please?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The iso file is the CD image file of the distribution. It contains the entire CD contents in the one file. Need a program like Nero Burning or WinISO to extract/burn the contents to a CD. Your CD burner may already have the necessary software to do it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Already got the software to burni it but still dont know which file to burn as when i unzip the file theres numerous folder and files

[Tywais]

Just downloaded SLAX as it was small and relatively quick,also got KNOPPIX as a larger distribution.Unzipped the files but havent got a clue which files to burn to make the live cd's.

Which files do I need to burn on to the cd? All of them?

Any sites on the net say "burn the ISO file" not that much help really

Can anyone help please?

The iso file is the CD image file of the distribution. It contains the entire CD contents in the one file. Need a program like Nero Burning or WinISO to extract/burn the contents to a CD. Your CD burner may already have the necessary software to do it.

Already got the software to burni it but still dont know which file to burn as when i unzip the file theres numerous folder and files

If the file has a .iso extension don't extract the files directly to the hard disk then try to burn the files/folders to the CD, it won't be bootable this way. If it is not a file with a .iso extension but .zip type of file it will not make a bootable CD and you would have to make a boot/root floppy.

If it is .iso then open it with your CD burner software and it should recognize it as an archive file (do not burn the .iso as a data file, you will just end up with that single file on the CD and not the archived distribution).

[kelv23]

Just downloaded SLAX as it was small and relatively quick,also got KNOPPIX as a larger distribution.Unzipped the files but havent got a clue which files to burn to make the live cd's.

Which files do I need to burn on to the cd? All of them?

Any sites on the net say "burn the ISO file" not that much help really

Can anyone help please?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The iso file is the CD image file of the distribution. It contains the entire CD contents in the one file. Need a program like Nero Burning or WinISO to extract/burn the contents to a CD. Your CD burner may already have the necessary software to do it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Already got the software to burni it but still dont know which file to burn as when i unzip the file theres numerous folder and files

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the file has a .iso extension don't extract the files directly to the hard disk then try to burn the files/folders to the CD, it won't be bootable this way. If it is not a file with a .iso extension but .zip type of file it will not make a bootable CD and you would have to make a boot/root floppy.

If it is .iso then open it with your CD burner software and it should recognize it as an archive file (do not burn the .iso as a data file, you will just end up with that single file on the CD and not the archived distribution).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK here what i get when i unzip the file

[Sunshine]

try ubuntu  www.ubuntu.com

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Absolutely, I've tried many distro's and Ubuntu (or Kubuntu) are by far my favorate. And one of the few distro's I've tried wehre everything, "Just works" on my centrino laptop (Wireless).

Edited October 27, 2005 by Sunshine

[Tywais]

OK here what i get when i unzip the file

Sorry, don't seem to be able to make myself clear. I'll try again. The file you downloaded should have a name like slax-5.0.6.iso, note the file extension. Do not extract the files (unzip) with winzip or winrar or other extraction programs. I'm going to assume you have Nero Express software. Start Nero Express then choose "Disk image or saved project". Under the menu that allows you to select the file select "files of type" and select "image files iso,cue,nrg" as the file type. Now select the .iso file you downloaded and continue on to burn the CD. You will now have a CD that you can boot from to load the linux distribution. You will need to setup in your BIOS the boot options to select Boot from CD first.

If you have different CD burning software then Nero then look at the choices for burning a CD and find the iso file type.

[kelv23]

OK here what i get when i unzip the file

Sorry, don't seem to be able to make myself clear. I'll try again. The file you downloaded should have a name like slax-5.0.6.iso, note the file extension. Do not extract the files (unzip) with winzip or winrar or other extraction programs. I'm going to assume you have Nero Express software. Start Nero Express then choose "Disk image or saved project". Under the menu that allows you to select the file select "files of type" and select "image files iso,cue,nrg" as the file type. Now select the .iso file you downloaded and continue on to burn the CD. You will now have a CD that you can boot from to load the linux distribution. You will need to setup in your BIOS the boot options to select Boot from CD first.

If you have different CD burning software then Nero then look at the choices for burning a CD and find the iso file type.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok I'll give it a bash,its just natural for me to unzip WinRar files....

Just in case I've requested Unbuntu on CD which is free postage which was a nice surprise

cheers

[kelv23]

OK here what i get when i unzip the file

Sorry, don't seem to be able to make myself clear. I'll try again. The file you downloaded should have a name like slax-5.0.6.iso, note the file extension. Do not extract the files (unzip) with winzip or winrar or other extraction programs. I'm going to assume you have Nero Express software. Start Nero Express then choose "Disk image or saved project". Under the menu that allows you to select the file select "files of type" and select "image files iso,cue,nrg" as the file type. Now select the .iso file you downloaded and continue on to burn the CD. You will now have a CD that you can boot from to load the linux distribution. You will need to setup in your BIOS the boot options to select Boot from CD first.

If you have different CD burning software then Nero then look at the choices for burning a CD and find the iso file type.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok I'll give it a bash,its just natural for me to unzip WinRar files....

Just in case I've requested Unbuntu on CD which is free postage which was a nice surprise

cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks tywais,just gotta wait for my boss to leave to try it!

[Brew]

I still have some Ubuntu CD's left. If you are interested, please send me a PM.

It is not the actual version 5.10, published yhis month, It's the last version 5.04. But i could add the actual version as a copy.

[Wallalai]

Two very useful links to download and get informations about, I think, all Linux distros.

http://www.linuxiso.org/finddistro.php

http://distrowatch.com/index.php?language=EN

[kelv23]

So far I have downloaded

1 Slax

2 ###### Small

3 Ubuntu

4 Knoppix

Out of the four only ###### Small has worked,the rest dont go past the "booting the kernel" point.The drive stops reading the cd,waited 5-10 mins but nothing.

Im sure I have the right versions for my chip (Intel Celeron is X86,correct me if Im wrong)

Could this be corrupt d/l's? Theyre all d/l's from the main sites so I cant see that myself ,or is there something I'm missing?

[Tywais]

So far I have downloaded

1 Slax

2 ###### Small

3 Ubuntu

4 Knoppix

Out of the four only ###### Small has worked,the rest dont go past the "booting the kernel" point.The drive stops reading the cd,waited 5-10 mins but nothing.

Im sure I have the right versions for my chip (Intel Celeron is X86,correct me if Im wrong)

The chip is fine. Normally you should see a large number of messages on the screen as it loads the kernel and drivers. Is the only message the one you said above". I also assume you have sufficient memory, 256MB would be best but as little as 64 should allow the kernel to load but no X-windows.

Could this be corrupt d/l's? Theyre all d/l's from the main sites so I cant see that myself ,or is there something I'm missing?

If the file will uncompress with no errors then the file is not corrupt.

The following is for the Slax package:

" How to avoid hardware problems/hangups

Sometimes it could happen that your computer just hangs during the startup or very soon after it. The most important is to read the last message on the screen and try to guess what kind of hardware-probing is causing problems.

Then you can use 'nopcmcia', 'noapm', 'nousb', 'nohotplug' or 'acpi=off' boot parameters to avoid probing for specified hardware. The 'nohotplug' parameter is the most powerful one, almost all hardware probing will be disabled. You will need to load all modules [drivers] manually by using modprobe command."

[kelv23]

Well Ive tried just about everything to get SLAX to work on my comp but no joy.It never goes past the booting the kernel stage where it just hangs.I've used the CD on a friends compand it worked fine so it must be the comp thats incompatible for some reason

heres my system info if its of any use

Operating System - -

Name: Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2

System Information - -

Manufacturer: Compaq Presario 061

Model: PW623AA-AB3 SR1407AL FD440

PC Serial Number:

Computer Description: AT/AT COMPATIBLE

Total Physical Hard Drives: 1

Login - -

Name: Administrator

Motherboard - -

Board Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD

Board: Gamila/Giovani/Neon series

Board Version: 030

Board Serial Number: 5210180061

Processor: Intel® Celeron® CPU 2.80GHz

Current Speed: 2.799 GHz

L2 Cache Size: 256 KB

BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD, 3.23, IntelR - 42302e31

Memory - -

Total Physical Memory: 248 MB

Free Physical Memory: 30 MB

Total Virtual Memory: 853 MB

Free Virtual Memory: 411 MB

Page File Space: 606 MB

Page File: C:\pagefile.sys

Directories - -

Windows Directory: C:\WINDOWS

System Directory: C:\WINDOWS\system32

Local Disk C: - -

Drive Letter: C:

Setting: Primary Controller - Master drive

Model: SAMSUNG SV0411N

Serial Number: S01RJ20XC06934

Usable Hard Disk Capacity: 38.191 GB

Used Hard Disk Space: 15.112 GB

Unused Hard Disk Space: 23.079 GB

Hard Drive Buffer Size: 2 MB

Controller Version: UA100-11

File System: NTFS

Maximum File Name Length: 255

CD-ROM Drive D: - -

Drive Letter: D:

Manufacturer: LITE-ON

Model: COMBO SOHC-4832K

Readable media: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW

Writable media: CD-R, CD-RW

Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys

Version: 5.1.2600.2180

Display - -

Type: Plug and Play Monitor

Color: High Color(32 Bit)

Resolution: 1024x768

Video Card - -

Model: Intel® 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller

Memory: 64 MB

Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\ialmnt5.sys

Version: 6.14.10.3943

Modem - -

Model: Agere Systems PCI Soft Modem

Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\agrsm.sys

Version: 2.1.56.0

Sound Card - -

Model: Realtek AC97 Audio

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\ALCXWDM.SYS

Version: 5.10.5730

Network Card - -

Model: Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport

MAC Address: 00-11-09-F4-A2-07

IP Address: 0.0.0.0

Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\rtl8139.sys

Version: 5.398.613.2003

Printers - -

Model: Microsoft Office Document Image Writer Driver

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\mdigraph.dll

Version: 0.3.1897.0

Keyboard - -

Manufacturer: Microsoft

Model: Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\i8042prt.sys

Version: 5.1.2600.2180

Pointing Device - -

Manufacturer: Microsoft

Model: PS/2 Compatible Mouse

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\i8042prt.sys

Version: 5.1.2600.2180

USB Controller (1) - -

Model: Intel® 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C2

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\USBUHCI.SYS

Version: 5.1.2600.2180

Unused Ports: Port (1)

Port (2) - -

Manufacturer: -

Device Name: ADSL USB MODEM

Serial Number: 09977029

Type: Reserved

USB Controller (2) - -

Model: Intel® 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C4

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\USBUHCI.SYS

Version: 5.1.2600.2180

Unused Ports: Port (1), Port (2)

USB Controller (3) - -

Model: Intel® 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C7

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\USBUHCI.SYS

Version: 5.1.2600.2180

Unused Ports: Port (1), Port (2)

USB Controller (4) - -

Model: Intel® 82801DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\USBUHCI.SYS

Version: 5.1.2600.2180

Unused Ports: Port (1), Port (2), Port (3), Port (4), Port (5), Port (6)

Note: On Some Systems, USB 2 ports will be shown twice, once as a USB 2 port and again as a USB 1 port because of the implementation of USB 2 on those systems.

If anyone can tell me why its not compatible with this system I'd be grateful

[Tywais]

In the past Compaq had been notorious for proprietary hardware architecture but I believe they are more generic now.

Could you indicate the exact messages on the screen when it is booting from the CD? At some point you should receive a prompt like this:

boot:

This will allow you to enter extra parameters or boot with the default. If you get to this prompt you should be able to enter the 'nohotplug' parameter to disable searching for most non-critical devices.

[kelv23]

In the past Compaq had been notorious for proprietary hardware architecture but I believe they are more generic now.

Could you indicate the exact messages on the screen when it is booting from the CD?  At some point you should receive a prompt like this:

boot:

This will allow you to enter extra parameters or boot with the default. If you get to this prompt you should be able to enter the 'nohotplug' parameter to disable searching for most non-critical devices.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tried them all just hangs at the "uncompressing linux,booting the kernel" stage

[kelv23]

In the past Compaq had been notorious for proprietary hardware architecture but I believe they are more generic now.

Could you indicate the exact messages on the screen when it is booting from the CD?  At some point you should receive a prompt like this:

boot:

This will allow you to enter extra parameters or boot with the default. If you get to this prompt you should be able to enter the 'nohotplug' parameter to disable searching for most non-critical devices.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tried them all just hangs at the "uncompressing linux,booting the kernel" stage

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK forget the frikkin desktop,I can use it on my friends.Im looking to buy a laptop to run LINUX on.I'd like to run either SLAX,UBUNTU,SUSE OR KNOPPIX.

Any suggestions on which lappies might run these distro's or if you're running a certain distro on a lappie already and its working well please let me know.Thanks

[Richard-BKK]

He Kelv23,

I run Suse 10.0 (Fedora Core 4 before) on a cheap Acer notebook only 29.900Baht + 512MB extra memory for total of 33.000Baht.

http://www.acer.co.th/product/travelmate/a...000/index_p.htm

Drivers are no problem, the notebook comes with Linux installed and this Linux distro is also based on RPM which is the same for Suse and Fedora

Edited November 2, 2005 by Richard-BKK

[kelv23]

Thats handy as I live near to the Acer factory shop so I'll check them out

[francois]

hi'

after some research and asking ...

Acer, Toshiba, IBM, and Sony are fully supported, at least that's what I heard

francois