I need info on Linux.

UnderCover · 02-11-2007, 09:28 PM

Alright everyone, first of all I am not a n00b, I am actual bit of a computer geek. I have just never used any operating system outside of Windows. I read the post on Linux/128 jump drive and it re opened my interest in linux. Here is my question.

I am running a laptop with windows xp professional. It was a laptop that I have paid for each semester of school, and now I get to keep it. I have the "network" login at start up. I have 2 separate hard drives built in(not partitioned). I want to tinker with linux but I need to leave all my windows stuff there without uninstalling anything. Is there a way to have the computer pop up with a boot menu(which os to boot) so I can alternate depending on what I am doing?

ANY HELP WOULD BE AWESOME. Also, any suggestions on which linux version to run Redhat, Fedora, SUSE???

E.Dan · 02-11-2007, 10:23 PM

Yes, most decent Linux (non uber geek) distros have a built in smart partition system and multiple OS boot.

First though get your hands on VMWare from Demonoid or elsewhere so that way you can try the stuff virtually to see if you like that distro or not.

Distros I recommend are PCLinuxOS, Kubuntu (KDE) / Ubuntu (Gnome), Simply MEPIS and KateOS. Also, you can try two BSD based distros Desktop BSD and PC BSD.

If anybody suggests Gentoo, Slackware or Linux From Scratch to you...don't heed that advice those distros are not beginner or even user friendly.

jmmhooper · 02-12-2007, 06:23 AM

You should try live CD's first. You run linux from the CD does not touch OS you have already. A good one to try is Knoppix live CD.

PityOnU · 02-12-2007, 01:30 PM

If you don't want to do anything permanent, I would recommend downloading a LiveCD.

As for the version, my personal preferance is PCLinuxOS. It's made especially for people coming from Windows, and comes with all of the programs you need to still open all of your Office files.

UnderCover · 02-12-2007, 05:25 PM

Awesome info guys. I am looking at getting a live for Suse and Kubunto...possibly Fedora Core. This live cd...how much of a RAM killer will I be dealing with on some of these distros?

PityOnU · 02-12-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnderCover

Awesome info guys. I am looking at getting a live for Suse and Kubunto...possibly Fedora Core. This live cd...how much of a RAM killer will I be dealing with on some of these distros?

Well, I ran the PCLinuxOS Live CD (which was pretty intense for being run from a CD :P) on my POS old computer which has 256mb of RAM and a 700mhz processor and it ran petty smooth.

You should be fine ;D

jmmhooper · 02-12-2007, 06:21 PM

I am a real fan of Knoppix, it has an option to load the whole thing into RAM, if you have enough of it. Then that will free up the CD drive for anything else you may need to do. I have 1gig of RAM so it is nice to load it all into RAM to then use the CD drive to burn anything if need be.

UnderCover · 02-12-2007, 06:45 PM

Do any of these including burning software?

PityOnU · 02-12-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnderCover

Do any of these including burning software?

I haven't tried burning anything yet, but I do know that it supports all of the USB slots because I use a 2 gig flash drive to transfer files between my old computer and my new one.

I'm pretty sure it does, though. It has everything else...

jmmhooper · 02-12-2007, 07:49 PM

Yes it does the best is called KB3

Knoppix
http://www.knoppix.org/

Mammlouk · 02-18-2007, 02:27 AM

Add me to the list of Kubuntu recommendations. I have also had very good experiences with Mepis and Suse (although the last Suse i ran booted very slow).

The most common and versatile CD Burning software (at least for KDE) is K3B. It is an excellent program with just about every burning related feature I've ever needed and without all of the extra bloat that has crept (sp?) into Nero in the past few years.

I hope you have a good linux experience. Feel free to ask questions and as was mentioned before avoid Gentoo, Slackware and Linux From Scratch.

jmslew · 02-18-2007, 04:15 PM

I was in your situation not too long ago and I am currently dual booting Ubuntu. As for software, it is ALL there, you just have to look around to find it and learn how to use it. I am new with linux, so I can't help much, but definitely ask about. Someone will know what you want to know, and hopefully they will help. Ubuntu is very easy to install and dual boot. And it is Debian based. Debian is good stuff!

02-11-2007, 09:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
UnderCover Experienced Zuner Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 129 Reputation: 14	I need info on Linux. Alright everyone, first of all I am not a n00b, I am actual bit of a computer geek. I have just never used any operating system outside of Windows. I read the post on Linux/128 jump drive and it re opened my interest in linux. Here is my question. I am running a laptop with windows xp professional. It was a laptop that I have paid for each semester of school, and now I get to keep it. I have the "network" login at start up. I have 2 separate hard drives built in(not partitioned). I want to tinker with linux but I need to leave all my windows stuff there without uninstalling anything. Is there a way to have the computer pop up with a boot menu(which os to boot) so I can alternate depending on what I am doing? ANY HELP WOULD BE AWESOME. Also, any suggestions on which linux version to run Redhat, Fedora, SUSE??? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. <br /><br /> To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-11-2007, 10:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
E.Dan <Genre Unbound> Support Team Premium Member Section Staff Elite Zuner Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN, USA Posts: 2,144 Reputation: 658 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Re: I need info on Linux. Yes, most decent Linux (non uber geek) distros have a built in smart partition system and multiple OS boot. First though get your hands on VMWare from Demonoid or elsewhere so that way you can try the stuff virtually to see if you like that distro or not. Distros I recommend are PCLinuxOS, Kubuntu (KDE) / Ubuntu (Gnome), Simply MEPIS and KateOS. Also, you can try two BSD based distros Desktop BSD and PC BSD. If anybody suggests Gentoo, Slackware or Linux From Scratch to you...don't heed that advice those distros are not beginner or even user friendly. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Writer, Poet, Philosopher

02-12-2007, 06:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
jmmhooper Squirt Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 26 Reputation: 10	Re: I need info on Linux. You should try live CD's first. You run linux from the CD does not touch OS you have already. A good one to try is Knoppix live CD.

02-12-2007, 01:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
PityOnU Super Zuner Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In the real world Posts: 1,987 Reputation: 134	Re: I need info on Linux. If you don't want to do anything permanent, I would recommend downloading a LiveCD. As for the version, my personal preferance is PCLinuxOS. It's made especially for people coming from Windows, and comes with all of the programs you need to still open all of your Office files.

02-12-2007, 05:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
UnderCover Experienced Zuner Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 129 Reputation: 14	Re: I need info on Linux. Awesome info guys. I am looking at getting a live for Suse and Kubunto...possibly Fedora Core. This live cd...how much of a RAM killer will I be dealing with on some of these distros? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. <br /><br /> To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-12-2007, 06:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
jmmhooper Squirt Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 26 Reputation: 10	Re: I need info on Linux. I am a real fan of Knoppix, it has an option to load the whole thing into RAM, if you have enough of it. Then that will free up the CD drive for anything else you may need to do. I have 1gig of RAM so it is nice to load it all into RAM to then use the CD drive to burn anything if need be.

02-12-2007, 06:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
UnderCover Experienced Zuner Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 129 Reputation: 14	Re: I need info on Linux. Do any of these including burning software? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. <br /><br /> To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-12-2007, 07:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
jmmhooper Squirt Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 26 Reputation: 10	Re: I need info on Linux. Yes it does the best is called KB3 Knoppix http://www.knoppix.org/

02-18-2007, 02:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
Mammlouk Experienced Zuner Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 175 Reputation: 12	Re: I need info on Linux. Add me to the list of Kubuntu recommendations. I have also had very good experiences with Mepis and Suse (although the last Suse i ran booted very slow). The most common and versatile CD Burning software (at least for KDE) is K3B. It is an excellent program with just about every burning related feature I've ever needed and without all of the extra bloat that has crept (sp?) into Nero in the past few years. I hope you have a good linux experience. Feel free to ask questions and as was mentioned before avoid Gentoo, Slackware and Linux From Scratch. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-18-2007, 04:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
jmslew Experienced Zuner Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 220 Reputation: 11	Re: I need info on Linux. I was in your situation not too long ago and I am currently dual booting Ubuntu. As for software, it is ALL there, you just have to look around to find it and learn how to use it. I am new with linux, so I can't help much, but definitely ask about. Someone will know what you want to know, and hopefully they will help. Ubuntu is very easy to install and dual boot. And it is Debian based. Debian is good stuff!

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