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Root
 
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 18:14:23
Posts: 607,
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I've noticed that we get quite a few of the same questions keep cropping up, so I thought it would be useful to maintain an FAQ here. Here's a few to start us off, please feel free to add more questions & answers (not just questions please, create a seperate thread for those then the answers can go here once they've been answered  ).
Which distribution should I choose?
Whichever one you like best. Try the most popular ones (see here to see which ones are most popular with MM readers) and see which you like best. Hardware support is pretty much the same whichever you choose.
Where can I get Linux?
Every distribution has a website, from which you can usually download the distribution free of charge. Alternatively, you can buy a copy from one of the many online Linux CD retailers (e.g. CheepLinux) or from one of the people advertising in MM classifieds. If you want Ubuntu, they will ship you a CD free of charge - see shipit.ubuntu.com.
Which router/modem should I buy to use with Linux?
Any router with an Ethernet port should plug-and-play with Linux. Avoid PCI and USB modems at all costs, as only a few of them will work and getting them to do so isn't easy - always go for a router when possible. If you're looking for a standard (i.e. not ADSL/ISDN etc.) modem, any serial modem will work - if you don't have a serial port, you can buy USB -> Serial converters cheaply and these will work with Linux.
Can I run XXX program on Linux?
Not unless there is a Linux version of it - Windows software does not (generally) run on Linux. If there isn't a Linux version, there may well be a different Linux program that will do the job.
--
David Johnson
Micro Mart Writer & Forum Moderator
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Pentium
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 13/10/2007 00:31:54
Posts: 1,400,
Visits: 1,342
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Pentium
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Today @ 02:59:51
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MY Favourite for Distro's http://distrowatch.com/ , for everything NOn MS http://microsoft.toddverbeek.com/index.html , very helpful page http://www.control-escape.com/index.html
Chris
 SPIKE09
REMEMBER IT'S JUST A RIDE (BILL HICKS THE GREATEST)
rig 1 Spike Athlon 64 X2 3800,1 gig pc3200 (dc) ,radeon X1900XT rig 2Angus Ogg Athlon 2200,ASUS A7V8X-X,1GB2 PC2700,RADEON 9600XT rig3 The Dagda Acer aspire 1353 xv, AthlonXP-M 2400, 512 Mb PC2700 .Rig 4 Q6600,ASROCK DUALQUAD thingy,2GB GEIL DDR540 X1600pro rig 5 TVTWINs- IntelE6400,2Gb DDR667,Nvidia6600 silent.rig6.AMD 64 3700 1Gb pc3200 rig7.Smokey Q6600,2GB pc5400,x800gto, asrock quad-dualthingummy| E6420,4GB ram and Q6600 currently homeless TOP 1,000 in the world in F@H 
F@H BETA TESTER- team MM FOLD it does every body good join team 46590 2ND Mug. Hmm you know who you are.
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286
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 05/12/2006 17:26:59
Posts: 299,
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Q: How can I get a fully functioning Ubuntu install (ie. play commercial DVDs, install media codecs, install Adobe Reader, etc.)????
A: Well, you have 3 options really - I’d recommend options 2 or 3 – much quicker
OPTION 1: Read the Ubuntu documentation and install all required codecs / software / etc manually.
If you read the official Ubuntu Documentation here, you should find individual guides for installing / configuring all the software / packages / codecs you need.
Advantages – Excellent documentation and a good method to learn something about the ins and outs of Linux.
Disadvantages – A bit long winded and may take a while if there are a few things you want to set up.
OPTION 2: Use Easy Ubuntu to install / configure everything for you.
Easy Ubuntu can install a large amount of software and codecs that you might need – take a look at the site for a full list.
Advantages – Very simple to run and it will take care of the install / setup for you – very nice for newbies. Very quick and painless process. It’s also uses a safer method to install the software than Automatix (see OPTION 3) – so if you’re paranoid in ‘breaking’ your system further down the line, this may be the best choice for you.
Disadvantages – Some features are x86 only.
OPTION 3: Use Automatix to install / configure everything for you.
Automatix works in a similar way to Easy Ubuntu (OPTION 2) but offers a huge amount of available software in comparison. Simply follow the instructions on installation (see link), start Automatix, then simply select what you want it to install. Automatix will do the rest.
Advantages – Also very simple to run / install. Large amount of apps available for install.
Disadvantages – Can take a while to finish install / setup of apps (depending on which / how many you select). Is a bit harsh on the apps database by using the force option when installing some packages – this can cause problems further down the line (possible dependency problems), but I’ve only heard of it in rare cases. Again, some apps are x86 only – a full list of all the apps and their supported architectures can be found here.
NOTE – Easy Ubuntu and Automatix are best performed on a ‘fresh’ install – as any manual setup performed at an earlier date may be overwritten.
Hope this helps.
Macca
______________________
As a wise man once said:
"Linux for servers,
Macs for Graphics,
Windows for Solitaire"
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286
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 05/12/2006 17:26:59
Posts: 299,
Visits: 425
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Q: How do I burn a downloaded Linux iso image?
Answer:
Well, a few things to look out for. This is a very common mistake by new Linux users. DO NOT simply burn the iso as a data cd – you MUST burn the iso as an image! You must instruct your burning software to burn an image – eg. in Nero on windows XP choose “burn image” and select the iso file.
DO NOT extract the iso image and then burn the contents to cdr – this will not work!
Also, extracting the iso contents to the hard drive does not make them bootable or usable!
DO NOT use the built in windows XP utility to burn – it can ONLY burn data discs (which is not what you want!).
Burn the disc at a slow speed (4X or 8X) – some Linux iso images do not burn correctly at high speed.
DO NOT choose any options in the burning software to make the disc bootable (the iso image will lay the files out for you in order for this to happen automatically).
Nero is recommended for windows users to burn their iso images. If you’re looking for a free alternative, CDBurnerXP Pro should do the trick.
Another option for windows users is BurnCDCC (designed to burn images exclusively – useful for newbies).
Always use quality CD / DVD media. Try to resist cheap ‘n’ nasty media, even though the price is right. As outlined above, burn faster / higher quality media at 4X or 8X speed. Make sure your media is compatible with your hardware burner!
Some older CD-ROM drives may have problems booting burned CD-RW discs burned from another drive. Older models may boot CD-Rs but have trouble with CD-RWs. This could be the reason for many boot errors. Older laptop drives can also be troublesome. Some drives will not boot multi-session discs but will have no problem with single-session discs. Where possible, boot from the same drive that you used to burn the disc.
Occasionally, downloads may become corrupted. Dial up modem connections can loose connection and become interrupted. Where possible, use a download manager and verify the checksums. Opera is well renowned as being the most reliable browser for downloads.
On Linux, use K3b or a similar gui app (command line tools are also available).
Further Reading.
This guide from the Ubuntu website may also be useful.
Q: How do I boot from the Linux disc?
Answer:
Make sure your computer bios is set to boot from the appropriate cd / dvd drive. Many systems do not do this by default. Take a look at the post screen and check for the appropriate key to press to enter the bios setup (may be a function key (eg. F1) or delete). Set the first boot device to the appropriate cd / dvd drive. Make sure you save your settings before exiting. Ensure that the cd / dvd is inserted when rebooting.
______________________
As a wise man once said:
"Linux for servers,
Macs for Graphics,
Windows for Solitaire"
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Pentium
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Today @ 08:07:13
Posts: 3,087,
Visits: 3,168
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Q : How do I make space for a Linux install?
Answer: Back up your data first, may be it's time to do a bit of spring cleaning? Defrag your unpartitioned Hard drive.
Then:
Either use a windows based partitioner like 'Partition Magic' to shrink your Windows partition, or pick a Distro like Mandrake 9 or 10 which has always shrunk windows partitions without loss for me.
Having shrunk your partition do not be tempted to format the partition ready for linux using 'Partition Magic'. Letting the Distro do that work itself gives good results every time if you let it use the newly created empty space.
Always install Linux after Windows, ie Windows is Drive C:, or in linux terms HDA1 or SDA1., ie the first partition on the Hard drive. Why? because Windows default pagefile is always the first partition on the hard drive and windows can't read linux partitions so linux partitions can't be first.
Q: I want to try another Distro how do I remove this one?
Answer: If you are dual booting with Windows XP or Windows 2000 go into 'Start' 'Control Panel' 'Performance and Maintenance' 'Admin Tools' 'Computer management''Disk Management' and then delete those partitions shown as 'Healthy (partition unknown)'. This leaves empty space to install a new Distro. However you will have to install the new Distro immediately as your PC will not boot into Windows until you have.
If you are using 'Partition Magic' on an earlier Windows OS simply delete the linux partitions. Then install your new choice.
Mad Malc
Mad Malc
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Pentium
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 13/10/2007 00:31:54
Posts: 1,400,
Visits: 1,342
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Where can I download distros?
Where can I download apps, games, wallpapers etc.?
Where can I get more information and help?
This is a great site, imo:
http://www.linuxhotbox.com/index.htm
..................................................................
Patrick
Relax! It's only an opinion.
Don't anthropomorphise computers - they really hate that!
34.714, Total Geek
Rig #1 -
Abit AW9D-MAX
Intel D805 @ 4319.49Mhz
Ingsoc newspeak @ 300wpm, just to see if anyone notices this sig change.
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486
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 25/06/2008 12:42:39
Posts: 959,
Visits: 1,539
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If you run Windows/Linux and you don't want to mess with partitions and dual boot. Try installing VMware Player from http://www.vmware.com/download/player/ This lets you run virtual machines in your chosen OS. Go here for various pre-built virtual machines http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/directory/cat/45 or simply run this VM http://linuxbasics.org/course/lbox-howto and you can load up and "install" and run any guest OS you want so long as you have a bootable CD "iso". I have succesfully run Ubuntu inside Windows XP on my works m/c, and various live CD's like DSL, Puppy and Feather Linux inside my Ubuntu OS on my laptop at home. Try it, no more partitioning, uninstalling boot loaders. You are able to run both your native OS and a guest OS at the same time, without reboots.
Acer Travelmate/Linux Mint 4
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