Is there some REALLY simple guide to Linux?

[VerdeJester]

A really basic guide to installing a Linux distro?
I've tried and I guess kind of successfully installed Linux Mandrake on my older PC without having to look up any info on ports and all that other stuff, although I did have a little trouble with the monitor.
A couple months ago I wanted to install Mandrake again on what was my new PC. ( HP Pavilion xt926 ) but I'm thinking maybe that older Linux didn't support the hardware on the new computer. Anyway.
Is there some guide that shows all the basic facts you need to know about your system bunch together neatly that will help me install a Linux Distro easily? I know some might say "Why use Linux if you don't want to learn the basic things like port settings and such?" I'm just a little lazy and I want to be wowed by Linux graphically ( I guess windows did that to me, go through the fluff and get to the innards later )
I would really like to some day cross over completely to Linux but I'd like to be able to set it up as easily as Windows XP and be able to go online without without too much hassle with all these different acronyms for ports.

[ December 07, 2002: Message edited by: VerdeJester ]

[VerdeJester]

Also, will having formatted the hard drive to NTFS affect installing Linux?

[pkd_lives]

If you are using the latest of a big distro, Mandrake, Redhat, SUSE, it's a dodle. see the MES FAQ for lots of dual boot stuff. With mandrake you can configure internet during installation, and then you are up and running. If it's not dual boot, then put the cd (or boot boot floppy) in the drive and off you go.

For hardware compatability you should head over to the distribution's website, and they will have a section that you can check you hardware on.

For NTFS - NO you will need FREE SPACE, Linux will format that space using it's prefered filesytem. NTFS is a M$ proprietary FS, and you cannot install Linux on it. If the hardrive is currently NTFS and you are not dual booting you can just tell the formating program to wipe the old filesystem. Hunt around this forum for dual boot info - there is a lot of it, and it is really very easy.

two things.

Backup all your data

and if dual boot - defrag the windows filesystem, because windows places file fragments all over the space alloted to it, and defragging it puts it all closer to the start of it's alloted space. nad then resize it to make your free space.

edit - NTFS stuff

[ December 07, 2002: Message edited by: Linux Frank ]

[KernelPanic]

The MES FAQ should see you on your way, as for anything else, just ask.

[voidmain]

Every one of the popular distros have excellent documentation regarding the installation and custumization of their particular distro. For instance if you are working with RedHat look here:

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/

Mandrake and others have a similar section on their sites. In addition, most of them have knowlegebase, bugzilla, and forums/mailing list archives.

Other resources are things like http://www.tldp.org/ and http://www.linuxrefresher.com/ is an excellent resource.

[VerdeJester]

Okay. Think 40GB is enough for a dual boot system? Windows XP on one half and I'm thinking Mandrake on the other.

[Siplus]

i have a 40gb dirve....25 for a vfat (win98 installed), about 8 for vfat (win2k installed), 4 for ext3 (redhat) and 800mb for swap...hmm, i'm missing some  

[Nobber]

quote:Originally posted by VerdeJester:
Okay. Think 40GB is enough for a dual boot system? Windows XP on one half and I'm thinking Mandrake on the other.

That's plenty. Give XP its mandatory minimum of 1.5GB, and give the rest to Mandrake.  

[VerdeJester]

Thanks for advice. But I have one question. I always remembered being able to get Linux for free off of Mandrake from the FTP and now it's not an option. Now I have to either donate money or go to the store and pay 30 for a boxed version. I remember getting 7.2 for 20 from Barnes and Noble so i went there and i can't find it. the only thing there was was a 60 dollar Red Hat linux 8.2 book with software included. Then I checked out staples and they only had some server version or something for 60. Whatever happened to Linux being free. I mean i understand supporting them with some dough but why not make it optional. I want the neato OS mandrake offers but aren't they moving further away from their roots by charging people?

Also a few of the major distros on the side Fmicrosoft has under free alternatives aren't really free. Or maybe I'm not looking around enough.

If I can't get Mandrake free are there any reccomendations for a distro similar to Mandrake with regards to simplified installation that are free. Like 100% free.

[ December 09, 2002: Message edited by: VerdeJester ]

[KernelPanic]

http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/ftptmp/1039447320.3fb32518f6e42710c191e3da58be3188.php

[VerdeJester]

oh... hrmm..    Thanks there Tux.

[Calum]

hey, by the way if you're using mandrake i recommend mandrakeuser.org as a good documentation repository along with www.belg88.com/faqman which was already mentioned and i recommend this forum (the one you're currently reading!) and the newtolinux.org.uk forums as good discussion forums for problems.