Linux

[MSIuser]

Im interested in trying out new things, Linux expecially, but what I was wondering is what sort of hardware do you need to run it?

[DrZaius]

Hi MSIuser,

For basic use (with the GUI) I would recommend:

• At least a Pentium 233MHz
• 64MB of RAM or greater
• 2GB hard drive

As you can see, the requirements are as high as for Windows. Hope that helps.

[abrakadabra]

Hi, in addition to that, when you are ready to get a video card, I've had problems in the past with 16 or less Mb of video, although the minimum is said to be 8Mb. Just to be on the safe side I'd get 32Mb (this should be enough) but before you buy it check the info for Linux compatibility.

[freezinbutt]

Take time to visit the website of the distribution you decide on. They sould have a compatibility list there. Of course you will have to know what is in you machine to get accurate answers. I just loaded Mandrake 8.2 on the wife's machine and found out that her sound card was not supported. I tried a couple of patches with no luck so I ended up changing the thing out (it wasn't all that great anyway).

If you've never used Linux before, I would recommend Mandrake 8.1 or 8.2. It's pretty easy to get a handle on.

Best of luck to you,
freezinbutt

[Computer Hobbyist]

Dr. Zaius is right, you need a basic Windows machine. If you are going to install Linux on a machine that is currently running Windows, go to Windows Start >Settings >Control Panel >System >Device Manager and print the option "all devices and system summary." The entire file, not just the summary. You should get several pages of detailed information about your computer. You will then have all the information about your system you might need. If you use Mandrake 8.1 or something of the most recent vintage, you won't need the information unless there is a problem.

CH

[akmsr]

make sure ur modem is a hardware modem. thats from my experience from the last week. lol

[freezinbutt]

akmsr makes a good point there. I no longer use dial up as I have switched over to cable. From everything I have read though, Winmodems and Linux do not get along very well.

freezinbutt

[Computer Hobbyist]

Read the links that Statica has posted at the top of this forum.

One of the best places to check for hardware compatiblity, and to find drivers if needed, is at this link.

CH

[MSIuser]

OK thanks for the miles of information. I got a pretty up-to-date PC, I just build it myself so I pretty much no everything about it. Just one little thing, I know I'll need to download a load of drivers for linux but does anyone know of any problems with the Creative Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 Player!?

Also I take it there are a lot of people here who use and like Linux, are there any free to download versions of it?

[DrZaius]

You can download any distro you want for free from here. They are big though (~600MB) and you need a CD burner.

http://www.linuxiso.org

The SB Live! cards are supported by Mandrake, but I don't know about any other distros.

[MSIuser]

Rite well I got the time, just been over to that site and had a look at the download page for the mandrake version, what do I need to download and what am I meant to do with it? I see one file with intel beside it, is this what I need to download?

[MSIuser]

Ok forget about the installation bit there I know what I'm doing now when I download it, but what do I download?

[DrZaius]

You need to download Mandrake 8.2 Install ISO (CD1), then burn the .ISO file to a CD using your CD burner software (make sure you know how to burn ISO images though).

[DrZaius]

Here is a direct link:

http://www.linuxiso.org/download/Man...-inst.i586.iso

[MSIuser]

Yeah I know how to do that little bit about burning. I take it then I need to download CD2 after it as well?

One other little thing is it possible to install linux to another partition (other than the main partition?). If not then there is little point in me downloading it so please let me know asap

[MSIuser]

Also download accelorator is being very annoying I'm trying to download the file but it keeps bringing up 530 login incorrect and asks for a username and password. I'm trying to use the ftp.ciril.fr site.

[DrZaius]

I take it then I need to download CD2 after it as well?

It just comes with some extra applicates, it's not really necessary.

One other little thing is it possible to install linux to another partition (other than the main partition?). If not then there is little point in me downloading it so please let me know asap

Yes, you can dual boot, meaning that you can use Windows and Linux on the same system. Do a forum and Google search for "linux widows dual boot" and you'll find plenty of info.

Also download accelorator is being very annoying I'm trying to download the file but it keeps bringing up 530 login incorrect and asks for a username and password. I'm trying to use the ftp.ciril.fr site.

There are also a lot of FTP sites listed on the official Mandrake site.

[MSIuser]

Thanks, I searching away for download sites, I'll look for the info tomorrow, want to get the download started so I can go to bed! I'll probably be posting in a few days of where I can get progs and stuff. Also do I need to have the drivers for my hardware before I can install linux, chipset and video drivers etc. I am prety sure there are linux versions available.

[MSIuser]

OK I'm still looking for a download link, I went over to the mandrake site and I am still none the wiser, all the download links are just to directorys which appear to contain all the files that would be on the mandrake CD, but I couldn't be bother downloading all of those files. Any other places with download links?

[MSIuser]

Right finally I got the download started because I remembered a little thing about ftp sites, they want your email address as a password. Download going so I'm going to bed.