What is the best way to learn about installing Linux?

Question

I just replaced an 8 year old PC that still works great. It mostly needs the OS (XP pro) reloaded and updated, as it does lock up occasionally. I am thinking about installing Linux on it, but I have a million questions about it (about the installation process, about getting all my devices like drives and ports to work, how long will it take).

Can anyone recommend a good source of information to lead me through installing Linux and getting the PC fully functional? Plus, does anyone have any advice on the matter?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Keep it simple...no need to go 'cold turkey' off Windose.



Ubuntu can be installed as 'dual boot' with your XP; very easy to do.

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing



Use Ubi for your Internet work, and keep the Windose sequestered...off the 'Net and malware free. Use it for those creative app's you got.

As you learn how to use Ubi (it can be set up to look & feel a lot like Windose), the time you spent babysitting XP you can explore the powerful additional programs and abilities of this particular Linux flavor.



I've not had to search and install any drivers; everything has worked 'out of the box', but that's not to say you won't need to.

Give it a shot.

Answer 2

What particular distro did you want to install? It would also be helpful to know what it will be used for, I could help you a bit more then



EDIT: Well Ubuntu seems to be the fan favorite when it comes to new people, so that may be the best to start with. I honestly don't like the linux system because I like gaming on PC, but for something like programming and internet, it is an excellent system. It's good if you want something different, although it's really easy to get disenchanted by it. Make sure you hold onto that XP disk though, or at least partition the drives.

Answer 3

If you want to try Linux with no partitioning of you drive use the

wubi ubuntu installer if using xp, vista or 7

www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/window…

Makes your PC into a duel boot and installs like a windows program and can be removed using control panel its not as quick but a good test.



OR



install to a usb

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/



OR



Do a frugal install of puppy linux. Do not install grub but boot from the cd The puppy OS files and save file will be picked up of your hard drive boot time 25 seconds

CD in = puppy

no CD = windows.

The most important thing is to use the forums.

The ubuntu forum tends not to be good for newbies



The murga forum for puppy linux is about the best. Its so good that I use it in my work all the time.



"about getting all my devices like drives and ports to work,"

Most linux distros work out of the box unlike microsoft.

Ethernet works 99.5%, Video works 99%, Wireless on a 7 year old 80%, 99% with some added drivers called modules, 99%. Printers HP good 99%, Epson 80%.

Ports all work older distros may struggle with firewire.

I have found that you may have to try several versions to find the best.



I use puppy 528.004 with my clients, Never use the latest distros as they may be to cutting edge.



"how long will it take"

I can do a puppy frugal in about 6 mins, but once you have one pup installed a second can be done is 45 seconds.

Puppy frugal install is a matter of transfering about 4 files of 140mb.

Puppy takes some setting up but you will learn lots.

Answer 4

For a private computing device linux, Ubuntu is nice. it incredibly is a Debian-based distribution, which ability it makes use of one particular style of equipment supervisor. in the journey that your purpose is to easily get going and dive in to something that merely Works, it incredibly is what you want. in case you're desirous to examine for business corporation purposes, i will no longer be able to stress adequate the ought to alter into solid at RedHat-based distributions, specifically Fedora or CentOS. RedHat is a lot extra easy interior the business corporation international (for extra constructive or worse). in case you're prepared to submit with an uglier very final product, and an uglier deploy, you get extra appreciably attainable documentation and extra appropriate business corporation wisdom by using going this path.