So i tried the liveCD linux...

[Hobbie3321]

and i keep having a graphical interface error or something, and thats all i can get out of it :( i dont know whats wrong. this is with the ubuntu 5.1 now. i got PcLinuxOS to run...kinda but teh colors and everything was all messed up. it could be that ATI doesnt support it (X800GTO) but.. any help would be nice. im also open to other suggestions.. was thinking about Fedora but i dunno how good it is. uhh also if you have any other linux reccomendations i'd like to hear it...my windows is really starting to mess up so i thought i would give linux a chance (perhaps dual boot if necessary)

[RRS]

Your suspicions of a problem with the graphics card is correct.

After the error messages will the system contine to a command line prompt? You may have to continue thru the error message box(s).

If so, enter;
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

This should take you thru a series of Q & A steps, when asked for device/drivers selecting VESA should provide a fix.

When finished;
startx

This should get the GUI (graphical interface) running for you so you can "test drive" Ubuntu.

Since the live CD won't normally save session settings these steps will probably be required each time you run it.

The problem comes from the fact that ATI (and Nvdia) don't offer Linux drivers so you have to find and install the appropriate driver for your OS. Not that great a problem on a full install but next to impossible for a Live CD.

Check here (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/index.php) for an excellent source of help/information.

Also, a dual boot installation is quite easy. This guide (http://users.bigpond.net.au/hermanzone/index.htm) is highly recommended.

Hope this helps you out a little.

[Hobbie3321]

at the command prompt, i am unable to do anything, i cannot type. the program then stops everything and makes me reboot. so... i dont know.

[faulkner132]

Go to the command prompt directly by killing X (Ctrl + Alt + Backspace) and then follow the instructions.

The terminal from within the GUI most likely won't work when doing what RRS suggested.

[RRS]

at the command prompt, i am unable to do anything, i cannot type. the program then stops everything and makes me reboot. so... i dont know.

What error messages are you getting prior to this point and how does it "make" you reboot? Does it provide a command, etc. or do you have to eject the disk?

I'm honestly not sure what's causing your problem but these answers may help someone with more experience provide assistance.

Ubuntu is normally one of the best Linux sustems in regard to hardware detection and even if it has trouble with your graphics card the apparent keyboard problem is very unusual.

Have you had an opportunity to visit Ubuntu Furums (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/) yet? As a specialised site it's quit likely someone there has experience with a similar, if not identical, problem.

Another possibility is a bad CD, or the download you burned from.

You might want to give Knoppix (http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html) a try. It has an even better reputation for hardware detection/compatability.

I haven't tried Fedora myself so can't really advise on it's suitability for you. A lot depends I guess on why you're interested in Linux and what you'd like to accomplish with it.

I'm sorry I can't provide any direct help but I hope I've at least assisted your search efforts.