new to linux..

[muTe]

Hi,

I'm a total newbie to Linux. I previously installed Madrake 7.2 but I wasn't able to do anything so deleted it... Which version should I start with? I remember, I didn't know nothing. Wasn't able to run mirc or anything like that. how can I run a program? I know it's not like in windows with .exe files, so how can I execute them?

Thanks
Dim3x

(PS: I'll add a 2.6gig drive to my comp to do a clean install. is it ok if I have WinXP now, then install Linux?? If not, how can I do it?)

[freezinbutt]

I would recommend Mandrake 8.2 or Red Hat 7.3. They install pretty easy.

As far as programs go, are you talking about running programs for Linux or are you talking about running Windows programs on Linux. If it is the later, you will need an emulator program like Wine. Wine is not easy to use or configure though.

Yes you can run Linux and XP together on the same HDD. You will need a separate partition to install Linux. Both Mandrake and Red Hat come with partitioning tools that you can use during the install but I would recommend getting something like Partition Magic or System Commander to do that.

Hope that helps,
freezinbutt

[muTe]

I don't know which program I can use in Linux... like what do I need to use mIRC, or Word?? also what do I need to do with .tar.gz files!!! damn I'm so confused!

thanks
Dim3x

[freezinbutt]

I'm not really sure about mIRC, but I know that both Mandrake and Red Hat come with quite a few chat programs. Many of these programs will work on lots of different platforms (AOL, MSN, ICQ, etc.).

As far as Word is concerned, there are several office suite programs that you can run in Linux. Koffice is built into both Mandrake and Red Hat when you run KDE as your desktop. Another one that I use is OpenOffice and StarOffice. They are basically MS Office clones.

.tz and .gz files are just the linuz versions of .zip files in the Linux world.

Try not to get so overwhelmed with it all. It takes a bit to get used to Linux, but is very rewarding when you do. I'm learning everyday. Linux is not always as easy to use as Windows. You might want to think about getting a book on Linux to get more familiar with it.

I hope I'm not confusing you even more. I think if you give one of the newer distros a chance, you will find it a bit easier to use.

freezinbutt

[Eric H.]

ok first .tar.gz is the linux equiv to a .zip. In order to extract the files, you need to open bash prompt (i use freebsd without a GUI, so i don't know how to do it in a GUI) and type: tar -vzxf .tar.gz.

In order to run something, you usually download it in tar.gz format, then extract it. In most cases, you will have to do the following:

1) configure it. this is done by ./config, or ./configure in a prompt. again, it changes with each program.

2) compile it. this is done by ./make.

then to run it, type "ls -al" and find a filename related to your program, life if i installed Envizion i'd look for just envizion.

now, this is how I do it.. i'm sure there are easier ways. I also don't use a GUI, so i'm not sure if this is any help.

[Eric H.]

also, for IRC, there is no linux mirc version. I use BitchX.

[muTe]

Thanks guys! I will go and install RedHat! Everyone tells me that when you know how to use it, it's far better than windows I will give it a chance!

Dim3x

[freezinbutt]

COOL......let us know how it works out. I think you are gonna be impressed with what you get.

Good luck,
freezinbutt

[MaXimum SMOKE]

Well I'll give this a try.... Windows runs windows programs, and Linux pretty much runs it's own programs. Attempting to run a windows executable in Linux is futile. There are compatability layers and such that are add ons, but they are not setup to be used by the novice user. You can still surf the web, if you are using a standard ISP. AOL, or Compuserve don't have Linux client programs. The bad news is your win programs won't work, the good news many Linux programs with similar functionality will, and a lot of good ones are FREE. Like Mirc isn't there, but there is Ksirc, or KVirc, for Irc. Don't look for MS Word, but there is KWord, Abiword, or Open Office. The last being available at www.openoffice.org Usually installing linux, you are offered a choice of KDE desktop, or Gnome. I prefer KDE. If you had a larger hard drive, I'd say install 'em both and figure out your preference later. For now, I'd advise install KDE. as for tar.gz files, think of them like a .Zip file only for Linux. Under KDE they are opened using Archiver under
Applications-----> Compression ------> Archiver
The reasons for using this OS are varied: Some like it's stability or security, some like a change of pace, some like the free software community, and a lot of others like the adventure, of exploring a new 'frontier'. I'll take the last one myself

[muTe]

ok, i've got a little problem
I tried to install linux on an old drive ( and old western digital 2.6gig ). it failed when the setup tried to copy the files. now when I return to the setup, it fails just before I want to partition the drive. I really don't know why.
The error is something like: The partition table /tmp/hdb is inconsistant. (then more text) and it says I should use LBA for the drive. then I can ignore or cancel, neither does nothing, I can't continue. and I can't seem to get my drive working on LBA, maybe because it's not on his own channel.... ( I have 1 other HD, 1 CDRW, and 1CD (not on the comp right now). well that's it, need help for this error.

Thanks
Dim3x


also, is it possible to delete KDE or Gnome after I installed it? because it will take about 2gig, only 600mo left if I find Linux great, I'll probably put it on my current HD... but I wanna try first!

[MaXimum SMOKE]

If both your hard drives are on the primary ide and the cd stuff is on the secondary ide, this should not be a problem. Please note, if your hard drive configuration is using cable select, instead of: 1 jumpered master, the other jumpered slave.... This could cause a problem. On many linux machines cable select just plain won't work. If this is the case, replace the drive cable with a 'standard' ide cable and configure 'master' /'slave' jumpers in the traditional way. Does your bios detect the drives correctly?

[freezinbutt]

Ok...here is an idea you can try. I'm going to assume that this 2.6GB drive you are trying to install to is a good drive and that you have no data on it.

First thing I would do is hook that 2.6 drive up to the computer as a stand alone drive. (I'm only suggesting this because you just want to play around with Linux right now to see what it is like. I'm just trying to eliminate a potential install problem). Make sure that drive is set for master.

Next (just to be anal) I would format that drive using FDISK. This is just so we know that we are starting fresh here.

Now try to install Linux as if it were going to be the only operating system on your computer. You can install it to /hda1 and set up your SWAP partition as you normally would. All on a clean drive with nothing else to get in the way. Go ahead and install LILO or GRUB to the MBR on that drive and everything should be ok. This will give you a chance to play around without having to worry about screwing something up on your other drive. If you need the other drive you will have to switch the cables around. This is what I do when I'm playing around with another distro. I know it seems a bit anal, but it sure eliminates a lot of problems while I play around.

Let us know if this helps,
freezinbutt

[freezinbutt]

As far as deleting KDE and GNOME goes....yes it is possible...but only for the most advanced of users. They are dependant on each other for certain things. Personally, I would not do it.

freezinbutt

[muTe]

I installed the 2.6gig HD to another computer has the master. It worked like a charm!!! well, I didn't d/l the cd2 and 3 and I need it so I'm currently d/l them to continue the install!! I did 51mo for /boot(I think), 1,9 gig for / and 500 mo for /swap. I dunno if i'm right but I'll see if it works well!!
I'll post again when it will work!

Thanks
Dim3x

[freezinbutt]

Glad that worked. Now you can play around a bit to see how Linux works. Sounds like you set up your partitions right. 500MB is a bit big for a SWAP partition unless you don't have much RAM.

Have fun,
freezinbutt

p.s. Welcome to the good side.

[muTe]

I've put 500mo for the swap because I only have 64mo ram on the other machine.


OK here is my first problem
I'm sure it's so dumb but anyway... the setup ran fine, when I booted, it took me into GRUB. Then it went into Red Hat, but at the login screen.... i'm stuck. yeah so dumb. I never saw a login name anywhere. for the password I've been asked in the installation, but nothing for the login name. if it was asked and I really don't remember, I'll just re-install

And a friend of mine told me (for LILO), to delete it completly from the system, you need to do something like fdisk /mbr. is it the right way to replace the master boot record to, for exemple, put windows after deleting linux (just to know!) and is it the same for grub?

thanks
Dim3x

[freezinbutt]

For the log in, it asked you to set up a user. You probably entered your name right before you entered the password. That would be the username.

As far as LILO and GRUB are concerned...if you installed them to the MBR then you would have to run FDISK and do the fdisk /mbr to clear the MBR. This would be the same for LILO and GRUB, but only if you installed them to the MBR.

Hope that helps.
freezinbutt

[muTe]

it asked somewhere to add more users to access linux. I didn't add any, maybe I should... I think I'll need to re-install tomorrow
Will see that tomorrow

Thanks
Dim3x

[freezinbutt]

If you did not enter a user, just try hitting enter to skip the username and get to the password. If that doesn't work you need to log in as root. Type root for the username and then the password that you set up. When you are logged in as root, you can then add a user in the control center. Be careful when you are logged in as root because you have full administrative privilages (licensed to kill). You might also try "guest" as the username but I really doubt that will work.

freezinbutt

[jglen490]

I didn't add any, maybe I should...

Excellent!! Always learn something, that way you'll never get bored . Yes, even if you are the only user of your system, always have two users: root (all powerful, but dangerous), and your own "normal" user (not so powerful, but that cuts down on what a cracker could do to you). And remember that the installer asks your input for a reason, so when it asks you for the root and the user passwords, think seriously about security, especially if this machine will be on the internet.

Beyond that, have an absolute ball with Linux !!