Linux Box?

[inflames988]

Well, ive had an older box (PIII, 192 MB ram) lying around for a while and im just setting it up now as somewhat of a spare parts build...going to paint case tommorow and get everything hooked up, and i was wondering what kind of windows to use...then i figured that might be the wrong question. Ive never had a good chance to try linux before and if anyone has suggestions of where i could download/get a free version of it to use on this build that would be great. i do have cable internet and can download at at least 100-200kbps so large files arent a problem to an extent. Something user friendly would be nice too as i have never used linux before.

[mikeL]

muskie88,

Go to www.linuxiso.org and give Mandrake a try, it is a good starting point.

Mike

[inflames988]

Originally Posted by mikeL muskie88, Go to www.linuxiso.org and give Mandrake a try, it is a good starting point. Mike

thanks, ill give it a try. downloading the CDS now, then i assume i have to burn them- how do i install them though once its all put together?

EDIT: nevermind, realized these are ISOs and if burned correctly they should be able to just be put in the cd drive and install form there.

[mikeL]

yep, you need to burn the images to a cd, I use nero, then after the images are burnt just boot from disk one, and you'll be off and running.

Mike

[inflames988]

Originally Posted by mikeL yep, you need to burn the images to a cd, I use nero, then after the images are burnt just boot from disk one, and you'll be off and running. Mike

thanks. after that how do i configure the rest of my stuff (vid card, sound card, etc) since its not windows?

[doctorgonzo]

Mandrake is pretty good about detecting everything and installing the correct stuff. At the very least, you will get a working install, and then you can go back and figure out what drivers need to be updated.

[inflames988]

Thanks--sounds good. ive been working out case speaker beep codes (after figuring out it wasnt AMI or Pheonix bios, it was Award) now i realize this thing only has one ps/2 port which i think only accepts mice so i gotta borrow a usb keyboard, might get a usb to ps/2 adapter later on cuz i dont have a good usb keyboard layin around. box is up and posting...just gotta paint the case once i get my paint then find a keyboard and start installing. ill keep ya posted, thanks for the help.

[fudtone]

Is it too late to suggest Win 98 SE?

[inflames988]

Originally Posted by fudtone Is it too late to suggest Win 98 SE?

im open to suggestions but...id actually like to try out linux. windows is boring me. plus i dont wanna spend money n i spent a good two hours downloading 3 700mb image files of linux today...dont wanna put that to waste

[inflames988]

well i started installing today and was amazed at linux's installation....everything was going great until it got to this part about installing packages (certain options you can choose) after that it had errors installing each one, it didnt even progress to actually installing the components but just gave an error and allowed me to continue installation or not, i tried continuing but i had to click so many times n more errors just kept coming up. i did get the 10.1 "beta" version of the program, should i download the older mandrake?

[fudtone]

Some packages may require addtional Downloads...Starting with the latest offical release is a great idea.

[inflames988]

will do. its downloading now. until then im gunna see if i can snag an old 20 gig hard drive from my friend to use in this build

[mikeL]

What type of errors are you getting, all the needed drivers should be on the disks.

[inflames988]

nvm. got the first disk done of 10.0 today and installed it till it asked for disk 2. but i didnt have disk two ready, so i hooked a laptop up directly to the router and did disk 2 while i was gone. but it was the wrong version, it was 10.1 again. so i re-started disk 2 on this computer after i had previously cancelled it thinking the other comp would do it. grrr...o well. it was installing fine and i didnt get the errors with 10.0. still gotta grab that hard drive, but im done painting. thx ill tell u how it goes, i might not bother finish this installation as i plan on getting the 20 gig hdd.

[inflames988]

wow....just got it up and running...im loving it. managed to get a 256 stick of ram along with a 20 gig hard drive off my friend. Its not fast but itll do. im already loving linux...tons of free open source progs included w/ mandrake....even an instant messaging one....thanks for all the help guys. Only problem is the sound card. during the install it kinda half-configured it then it said to run "sndconfig" once it was up n running. it wont let me run this program

EDIT: also i want to get internet on this box...it has an ethernet card but im way to far from the router. it is right next to my box, im guesing theres no way to take the wireless signal from my current box and output it through the ethernet port into the linux comp? guess ill have to buy a wireless card, i can test the ones i have in the house on it to see if any of em work. the one in my comp here is a pci to pcmcia adapter with a laptop type card in the adapter, made by linksys. anyone know of a good cheap wireless card that'd work for this, or will any do? just a basic 802.11 b is fine, even tho im far from the router theres a big open window in between and i get almost 100% signal

[mikeL]

Are you logged in as root, system settings can't be edited by an ordinary user.

Linux isn't a lightning fast OS, it's like the eveready rabbit it keeps going, and going.

Once you understand how linux works, then you will most likely start configuring it to your style of computing, be a desktop only, or some type of server, it will be up to you. Just remember that linux isn't windows and has quite a learning curve but if you stick with it linux will grow on you.

Good luck and happy computing

Mike

[inflames988]

Thanks. i did think of that when i went to do the sndconfig...but we have kinda a problem here now when i boot up itll only go to the linux loading screen (seems like there are 4 options to select and has a countdown from 8 seconds) i press enter but nothing really happens till it gets to 0:00 then itll load up on the bar thing...but then...nothing...black screen....nothing waited a good 5 mins.

nvm thanks its booting fne dunno wat the prob was. anyway im the only user i made on the comp n it automatically signs in is me, how do i do it so can change ths sound config

one last thing....think i could throw in this wireless card n see if it works?

[inflames988]

Nevermind. after a little work i got it configured w. my windows pc wireless card. had to enter some settings manaually still loving linux though.manaually

[mikeL]

yea once you have been using linux for awhile you will find out that manually configuring your hardware and settings is common.

Good luck with your new setup.

Mike