Sick of windoze

[nightsky]

I have a 5.1GB hdd and I want to install win95c bc i know how to use it but want to
install a linux version that will be suitable
for learning. I know how to partition, format, install, read and learn. I know linux is not an easy os but I enjoy a gd challenge. Thank you for any assistance.

[vitalstatistix]

Few questions to plan it out, have you got a install distribution for Linux ... Redhat or Mandrake etc .. My personal Preference is Redhat.

also, you need to give more details about your hardware (HDD, CPU, Grafix Adapter, Network/Modem), and see if ther are supported and any specific issues.

[Joe Auman]

An absolute must is to see if your hardware is supported by the disrtibution you are getting. This is where I went wrong. If you choose mandrake, go to <a href="http://www.linux-mandrake.com">here.</a>
If you choose RedHat, go to <a href="http://www.redhat.com">here.</a>
These are the two most popular distributions, but you can do a search to find any others.

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FATAL ERROR!!

Non-System brain or brain error!!
Replace and strike any key when ready.

[nightsky]

Thanks you two,
I haven't obtained a Linux product yet, want to make an informed decision not start off blind. lol I have a Pii 350, 128mb EC ram iomagic tnt2 video, yamaha snd crd, iomagic cdrm 40X, ISA Sound Blaster flash 56II modem.
I want to use windows for webdesign while learning linux in the hope of setting up a website at some point. Hardware is working fine but i cant say the same for windows since dummy me bought both a win 95C and 98SE
OEM Version online and now have to unravel windows secret folders in dos. But hey I am learning DOS commands and functions that is fun. I have a 3yr old 5.1GB hdd which i don't mind reformating and partitionig a hundred times. Thanks I will look at the compatability list more closely. Can I use
redhat and windows on the same HDD? <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by vitalstatistix:
Few questions to plan it out, have you got a install distribution for Linux ... Redhat or Mandrake etc .. My personal Preference is Redhat.

also, you need to give more details about your hardware (HDD, CPU, Grafix Adapter, Network/Modem), and see if ther are supported and any specific issues.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Joe Auman]

Yes of course you can. All you need to do is to partion the hard drive. Uselly 2 gig for the native (where everything will go) and about 128Mb for the swap (the equilvent to windows virtual memory). Depending on what dist. you get, you might get PartionMagic, which I think is not a bad program. Linux also has one of it's own, but again that all depends on what dist. you decide on. Then you'll have to use a boot loader, which once again, all depends on the dist. you decide on. Allmost all come with the LILO (LInux LOader) which works quite nicley. I know Mandrake will come with BootMagic which does the same thing as LILO just with some color.

------------------
FATAL ERROR!!

Non-System brain or brain error!!
Replace and strike any key when ready.

[nightsky]

Vita, why do u like Redhat? What do u like about Redhat? Is Redhat the only OS on your computer?

[vitalstatistix]

redhat becos
a) a good balance of felxibility anbd ease of use
b) old time user
c) very well supported for major commercial tools that we use for ISP purposes
d) rigid QA/QC
e) last but not the least i HATE M$ products, though still need to use thm becos of purely commercial reasons :P

Dual Boot
have had multiple OS initially, not anymore

Partition schema (my suggetion)
/boot 16 mb
/swap 128 meg (or less equiv to physical ram)
/swap 128 meb (yup u can have multiple swap)
/usr 1024 mb
/home 512 mb (thats ur play area so add more if u can)
/ 256 mb
/tmp 50 mb
/var 50 MB (but u may need to clear up when logs become full)

try making urself more aware at http://www.geek-girl.com/unix.html or similar sites, b4 u attempt the big plunge. a little bit of prior reading will help u make wiser choice.

hth

gtfx

[nightsky]

Thank you vitalfor the info and link. PS. What is a kernal? lol I know its not of corn.



[This message has been edited by nightsky (edited 06-09-2000).]

[vitalstatistix]

tis kernel. ITs the core or nerve centre of the Linux. http://www.kernel.org/ maintains it.
how did it go with ur installation?

rgds

gtfx

[copyright_1978]

I personally would give mandrake 7 a go, it's one of the easiest installs available, it took me about 40 minutes to get it up and running. Another reason for this choice would be because of it's GUI install, it's easier to see where you went wrong, although if you choose recommended install, you are in the merci of Linux.

One other thing, I've got a 486DX2 with Debian Linux on it, I have no use for it anymore, it's just taking up space, if anyone lives in London and wants it, be my guest. YOU must provide the transport for the thing.

[Joe Auman]

I would like the computer you have Copy, but living in the middle of nowhere across the seas might be a problem. http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Anyways, I second the sugestion about Linux Mandrake. It is really easy to install just so long as you don't have onboard video or a win modem. Thier is also many options to how you install (you can use the Linux for Windows or the regular).

------------------
FATAL ERROR!!

Non-System brain or brain error!!
Replace and strike any key when ready.

[Statica]

I'd stay away from Mandrake, get the real thing, RedHat. Most of the enhancements are not really due to the fact that Mandrake is any better of a distribution, only because the kernel is slightly newer. I'd never put Mundrake on a production server cos it is laden with inconsistencies, even in the setup.
If you are setting up for a dualboot, I'd urge you to do the following.
Partition only what you need with and for windoze and leave the rest of the space dedicated for linux etc as UNPARTITIONED space. There are a few definitive advantages for that. For one, FAT32's calculation of free space is real bugged, and u can avoid a few pitfalls by making your windoze unaware of the entire capacity of your drive to begin with. Only let it know what you give it. The other reason is that should you partition the drive [even if u unformat it] Windoze will list it in the registry, not that it is a serious fault, but the OS is blind, and will keep trying to search for nonexistent drives [especially when running a windoze setup or a prog. off a CD].

Again, programs like Partition Magic are great to begin with, but there are a few pitfalls, namely the cost, and secondly, what if you want to do a kernel upgrade? http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/smile.gif PM wont account for a new kernel as well as LILO will. Again, ChOS is good theorotically .. but in theory only.

RedHat is not as committed to remaining cutting edge as it is to providing stability. If you were to look at the RPM repository, mundrake would outweigh your rawhide or redhat builds around 6:1 for every code out there, speaks of high affinity for development and low QC.

[nightsky]

hi Vital, I finally got win98SE installed and running. It freezes whn I run two or more windoze while online. Not all the applications r completely functional. I partitioned the entire 5.1GB Maxtor as C to
avoid cdrom and system loading problems. I think there is much to learn about win98 for me. I need to get win95 fax up and running b/c I am looking for employment at this time.
I relocated to San Antonio early march. I need to focus time on the job searching. I looked at A)Linux in a Box (calderon) for Dummies B)Linux RedHat for Dummies and C)Red Hat Secrets. All come w/cds. The two RedHat books come w/ver. 6.1 software. Linux in The Box comes w/Office Suite. My hardware seems compatible w/ the above. Question is
which of the books to choose? I have many Dummie books - like their writing style. The RedHat Secrets book appears to be packed w/more info and was recommended here by someone - this package is $15 more than the Dummies book. Any suggestions welcomed http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/smile.gif? By the way I have a soyo 6BA+IV mobo - Pentium II 350mhz and when i tried to install the ATA66 & ATA33 Drivers it crashed my OEM win98 setup. Thanks for asking Vital http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by nightsky (edited 06-20-2000).]

[nightsky]

Thanks Joe, this is all a kind of learning game for me and I understand that w/later versions of Linux u become sheltered from Linux's intricacies which maybe a pain but the driving learning force. Its all for fun w/me but it wld be nice if i cld learn enough to make a living at something I enjoy so much even when its most frustrating http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/smile.gifOnce i hav a job here in San Antonio - i cn try different versions if i feel motivated enough. lol Where are u? Middle of No where?

[nightsky]

Static, are u familiar w/the books i listed?
Redhat for Dummies and Redhat SEcrets, both come w/ 6.1 software

[Statica]

Hi Nightsky:
Unfortunately, am not familiar with the books that you mentioned. The closest I have come to books of that calibre was a purchase of RedHat Unleashed that I bought as a present for a friend. Most books do come with the distrib in question, some even go one further and give you a supplementary CD. Personally, I dont like the "... for Dummies" series at all.
It would be nice to buy a book that will teach you something you had no clue about, rather than about something that you could probably work out on your own simply by reading FAQs and documentations.

Good luck

[copyright_1978]

I've also got redhat, yet I still vote for Mandrake Linux. The thing is, redhats a little to complex to setup... mandrake does the buisiness fast and effectively. If you want a real complex setup try Debian..