Newbie

[n8rand]

We have an old computer lying around right now that isn't being used and just for the learning experience i though that i might try a different OS...SO i want to try Linux...i guess...i really dont know but i like the idea of trying somethign different from Windows so i though hey i got an extra computer that doesn't really matter what happens to because we have the restore CDs and all the info has been backed up so why not try something new...any way i looked a little online and found a few differents things...i think i want to install the Mandrake or Redhat version just because they seem to be popular and if i run into problems i could easily get help...but i need some advice...first of all which OS do i want? i know that sorta something i have to decide but i have no idea whats available so i need some advice as to that and i want this to be a learning experience but not something that will kill me if you know what i mean...so i want this to be...i guess as easy as possible but still a learning experience...i started reading the Linux articles on this site and was interested but i still can't decided which version to go with...also this would need to be a free for me type thing so i would want to be able to download the OS from a ftp or something...i had actually started to download mandrake from a server but then it said it woudl take like 12hrs so i though i might check with you guys before i set the computer before i went ot bed on it...any way that bring to mind my next question...i had just compied the files and set them to copy to a folder...how do i actually get them on a CD and then to a state where i can install the new OS which ever it may by onto the computer...any ideas or comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated in my learning experience so i really appreciate your replies....

[n8rand]

Ok the computer that is lying around...might you need to know the specs on it? i would think so for any kind of recommendations....so its an old HP Pavilion 6646C with upgraded RAM to 312Mb the proc. is a 500Mhz AMD so i think it should be able to handle a newer OS it has a 20GB hard drive with Win98 on it now..i would format the harddrive of course and then install the new OS assumming i figure out how....however i also have another computer that has like a 133Mhz proc. and a 2Gb harddrive...is it suitable for installing a new OS such as linux or just trash?

[bailey]

both machines will run linux just fine

the oldest one will run something like red hat 7.2

the newer one will run ver 8
not sure if 9 would run on eather one.
just look up the requirements for each one to be sure

I have 7.2 running on a p166 system

[HNPFL]

I have Red Hat and I think its pretty cool for a learning experience. But I also havent tryed mandrake. Maybe you could use it for redhat and then when you feel the learning experience is done then you can switch over to mandrake. Happy Experimenting.