Stop Microsoft
Operating Systems => Linux and UNIX => Topic started by: foot foot on 26 November 2005, 20:30
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Hello, I have been thinking of getting rid of my Windows XP for Linux. I haven't really researched it much and thought it would be nice to hear from some of you guys. I really only use this computer for e-mail, internet browsing, and putting music onto my ipod. Will it be hard to get used to the layout or anything like that? Any help is appreciated.
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The layout ? you mean the desktop ? ... certainly not, I'd say it's a lot easier to learn and use than the M$ layout/desktop. I find GNOME the easiest and most logical layout, but most other people prefer KDE for some reason, and Fluxbox is quite fast and easy to use. Either way, it's not hard to learn how to do stuff. You might need to use command line here and there, but google should help with that.
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e-mail, internet browsing, and putting music onto my ipod
Mozilla Thunderbird (there's another good (from what I've heard) email client for GNOME, but I can't remember the name), Mozilla Firefox, and gtkpod (http://gtkpod.sourceforge.net/).
I recommend Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntulinux.org/) as a distro choice for newcomers.
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The client you mean is, I think, evolution. It is default on Ubuntu, which I'd recommend too. I use it myself. You DL it or get it for free on shipit.ubuntu.com.
If you need help with it ask here, on the Ubuntuforums, on #ubuntu, #ubuntuforums (you'll see me there), #linux-help - all on freenode IRC.
I think you stroke the real purpose of this forum: help the transition from MS crap to alternatives.
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Thanks for all the quick responses. I have one last question before I install it (Ubuntu); Do I uninstall everything on my computer first or just DL it? Sorry if this sounds dumb, I just want to make sure I do evreything correct.
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I have one last question before I install it (Ubuntu); Do I uninstall everything on my computer first or just DL it?
You don't have to. The installer will ask you questions about partitioning, you'll want to chose to erase everything and use the whole disk for Ubuntu.
Make sure any important stuff is backed up! All data will be lost.
I just want to make sure I do evreything correct.
I know the feeling.
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Good luck. I'll be in touch tomorrow, if you need anything.
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OK, I feel really stupid asking this, but after Ubuntu downloaded onto my desktop I couldn't open it. I checked around and seen that I needed to burn it onto a CD since it was an iso file and when I did that it just burned the exact thing that was on my desktop. I still can't open it. What do I do next?
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Get nero, from nero.com, the trial will work fine.
Select burn a cd from an image. Just copying the image file to a cd will not work.
Insert it and reboot.
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Nero wouldn't DL so I got burnatonce and this came up after I tried to burn it:
Starting write at speed 4...
ERROR: Cannot set write parameters mode page.
ERROR: Cannot setup write parameters for session-at-once mode.
ERROR: Please try to use the 'generic-mmc-raw' driver.
ERROR: Writing failed.
Ihave no idea what that means.
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What do you mean it wouldn't download? Did you click on the download link?
That means whatever you used didn't work.
Seriously though, burning disc images under WinDoze is a massive pain in the ass.
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It didn't DL because there's some problem with Windows. I forgot I had another CD/DVD burning program (Fireman) and it's working fine now. I just need to start looking better before I post questions. Thanks for the help.
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OK, well, that didn't work. Nero won't DL. I tried to DL Daemon Tools and it says that the file type isn't supperted. I am just lost now.
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OK, well, that didn't work. Nero won't DL. I tried to DL Daemon Tools and it says that the file type isn't supperted. I am just lost now.
Why won't Nero download?
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Well, it downloads but it won't run because I need an update from Windows. I can't get the update from Windows because my computer has an illegal copy of Windows XP. I bought this computer from a yard sale and anytime I ask for help from other forums they act like assholes because my copy is illegal and they usually delete my question even though I explain that I'm poor and just can't go buy a new copy of XP. This is the whole reason I want to switch to Linux.
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Are you using the latest version of Fireman?
Apparantly in version 1.4 "ISO9660 Image Burn function is added".
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/HT_Fireman.htm
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Yeah, I have the latest version and it starts burning fine then just says an error occurred.
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Yeah, I have the latest version and it starts burning fine then just says an error occurred.
Is it the media or what, do you think?
Does it give an error message?
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I have made the switch. BTW how much experience do u have with computers? I am a linux newbie. I find Fedora Core 4 to be a newbie friendly linux distribution.
Theres a good easy to understand guide for installing Fedora Core 4. Ill give you the link below.
Oh yeah a good cd burning program for Windows XP is cdburner xp and its freeware.
Heres the link http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
Good Luck:thumbup:
http://www.mjmwired.net/resources/mjm-fedora-fc4.html (http://www.mjmwired.net/resources/mjm-fedora-fc4.html)
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I have Roxio on my Windows XP partition at work, and you can just double-click an iso file, and it will burn properly.
Linux is pretty cool with an iPod. I had to go through a bunch of hell, tho, because I wanted to keep my iPod in HFS+ (Mac) format, so I had to insert some kernel modules. But after that, it was rad.
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I thought the installation of fedora was easier than ubuntu because, fedora has a fully graphical installer with mouse support and eye candy. But i think the installer will revert to a less pretty mode if you have sucky hardware
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I don't really like the graphical installers. My favorites are the ncurses installers, like the Debian one. Graphical is nice, but I find all the eye candy tries to sugarcoat the installation.
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OK, it worked with CDBurner XP but now when I pop the CD in and double-click the icon and nothing happens, it just goes to ISO Buster. I'm really confused. I'm sorry for all the questions but this really sucks.
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You're still burning the ISO file to disc, not burning the disc from the ISO. Try checking CDburner (or whatever) for an option that says something like "Burn Image to Disc," not "Burn Data Disc." Once the burn process has completed successfully, reboot your PC with the CD in the drive. Treat it like you would a standard recovery disc; that is, use your boot-selection popup (you may have to set this in BIOS, depending on the age of your system) to select your CD drive as the boot drive. It's all downhill from there, but if you have ANY valuable data, be sure to back it up on CD, DVD, or tape (maybe even floppy if it's just a couple textfiles) first. Come back here if you still encounter problems.
Also, what are the system specs (as far as you know)? Is this a laptop, tower, or other?
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OK, I picked the option "Write ISO Image". Is that correct? As far as my system it's a desktop P4 HP and it has Windows XP.
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That sounds right; try it, then restart and boot from the CD when it's done.
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Yes, try that.
Do not forget:
You cannot install an operating system from within Windows. You will lose Windows by installing Linux. When you reboot the computer, with the new disk in the cdrom drive, a text mode installer will start, and it will do wast of the work for you.
Another important thing is getting internet to work - if you can get that to work, then you can ask others for help with other things. So, before you install, do you have dialup or broadband?
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I have a broadband connection. Also, if I can get a step-by-step little guide on how to boot it up with the new CD. Do I just pop it in and hit restart?
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Yes. Broadband is good - it will probably be detected automatically.
1. You put it in, and restart. As it boots up with a console press enter (do not type anything)
2. Language and keyboard selection.
3. lots of stuff that doesn't need your intervention (HW detection, network setup - you might have to press enter a few times here)
4. The partitioner - this is the part that does the damage. You will probably choose "erase entire disk" and then you can let Ubuntu do it's own partitions. It works and it's the easiest way - something like "partition disk automatically" or "as recommended" I don't remeber. DO NOT FORGET (once again): you WILL lose ALL the data on the disk. If you anything that you want to save - burn it to a CD.
From there it's a breeze...
5. User settings. You need to set up a hostname. Since you anly have one PC, it doesn't really matter. I always use a female name from Tolkien (niniel last time, now tinuviel :)). Then the root pwd, username and password. These are important. The root password you will need for some administration, but not very often in fact. Most of the time you will use the user password for administration. Maybe it's best to write them down.
6. I think that's about it. Enjoy. When you're done, come tell us of your success. One more thing: Do not install if you have less than 128 MiB RAM, the partitioner won't even load.
GOOD LUCK !!! :)
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You may need to go into your BIOS config (press del at boot or what ever it says) and find the boot order or whatever so it boots off the CD before trying to boot the harddrive.
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Are you still alive, foot foot?
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maybe the install didn't go so well and his pc is totally screwed. i had a pc dedicated to messing with linux along side my doze pc when i first started.
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he last visited 4 hours ago
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Come on it's not that hard to install .. it only took me 30+ tries with 4 different distros before I got one to work ... maybe it's because I have laptop ? (less compatible ?) But, heck, it was worth every minute. They should make a mastercard-like comercial like that ...
Cost of downloading 4 Linux distros: $ 0.00
Time spent trying to install Linux: a shitload
Never getting pissed off at Winblow$ for being so fucked up and full of viruses and adware and spyware and bullshit and never having to see the BSOD again: priceless :D
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Having your RPM DB break during a dist-upgrade and never being able to even use the install again: really priceless.
For quality their is Windows.
For all other things: OpenSource.
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or installing the ati graphics driver and it wrecking X. thats one thing windows is better at. it has the option to only use default drivers so problems can be fixed.
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Am I still at the right place? Is this the Microsoft bashing forum?
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Am I still at the right place? Is this the Microsoft bashing forum?
I'm not sure, but let's try to remove some doubt.
The only reason I'd put Windows on a computer is to enjoy chucking it off the top of a 97-storey building, get the lift down, and then piss on the mangled remains.
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Am I still at the right place? Is this the Microsoft bashing forum?
I am a VIP now, I am just doing what all the others seem to do.
let me be cool, its highschool again, only now I am popular
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or installing the ati graphics driver and it wrecking X. thats one thing windows is better at. it has the option to only use default drivers so problems can be fixed.
Err.. Just change, using emacs/vim/pico/nano from the console, the name of the driver that Xorg uses in xorg.conf.
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Err.. Just change, using emacs/vim/pico/nano from the console, the name of the driver that Xorg uses in xorg.conf.
Something tells me he was talking about the offical driver.
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Something tells me he was talking about the offical driver.
Well if he was talking about the official ATi driver then how is it "one thing windows is better at"?
I dunno.
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I'm still here, the only reason I haven't installed it yet is because my little brother has a big school project and he needs the computer. After he's done I'll get to it. I will keep you guys updated. Thanks for all of the advice.
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Well if he was talking about the official ATi driver then how is it "one thing windows is better at"?
I dunno.
Because the offical ATi Driver according to him works without problems on Windows and they only exist on Linux.
Of course the ATi drivers for Windows are piss poor as well, I have an ATi video card and I must say that upgrading drivers has caused trouble with my games, multimedia, and everything else -- every single time I have upgraded the drivers.
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I'm still here, the only reason I haven't installed it yet is because my little brother has a big school project and he needs the computer. After he's done I'll get to it. I will keep you guys updated. Thanks for all of the advice.
Have you considered a dual boot? Parhaps you should get yourself a copy of partition magic, or if your filesystem is FAT32 just use fips.
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OK, I couldn't wait and it worked. Thanks for all of the help. I do have a few more question, however. What do I do as far as security goes? Do I just install the free anti-virus and firewall programs I got online when I used Windows? What will I be using instead of Microsoft Works? I don't notice any type of desktop folders such as "My Documents" or "My Music." Do I just create them on my own or what do I do? One other stupid question, how do I change the screen resolution? Thanks for any help.
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What do I do as far as security goes?
You definetly don't need to worry about viruses, at least not ATM. You should setup a firewall, but your distribution would probably have already taken care of that (some other Ubuntu users may be able to confirm that).
Do I just install the free anti-virus and firewall programs I got online when I used Windows?
Nope. You won't be needing any anti-virus software at all really. You shouldn't have to install anything for the firewall, unless a GUI for configuration (which Ubuntu probably already has installed).
What will I be using instead of Microsoft Works?
Either OpenOffice.org or GNOME Office (http://www.gnome.org/gnome-office/) (Abiword, Gnumeric, and GNOME-DB) (less-bloated than OOo, but less-complete).
They should be easy to install from Synaptic.
I don't notice any type of desktop folders such as "My Documents" or "My Music." Do I just create them on my own or what do I do?
Yes, create your own. You have your own home folder (/home/username), and you can use it for any crap you want. Create a "documents" and "music" folder if you like.
how do I change the screen resolution?
Desktop -> Preferences -> Screen Resolution. If the resolution you want isn't listed there, let us know. You'd have to do some messing about.
Thanks for any help.
You're welcome :)
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I can't seem to find the right place to change the screen resolution. I followed the directions exactly and after i go to preferences there is no such option as screen resolution.
I have thought of some more questions I hope you guys won't mind answering. When I had Windows and I wanted to install a new program I would just go to the site, DL it, and double-click the program in order to install it. Is it the same with Ubuntu? For example, Soulseek (assuming it's compatible with Ubuntu). Also, lets say I write a story or whatever and e-mail to a computer without Ubuntu, will I be able to open the file and print it?
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Well, after looking a little better I found the screen resolution. I also found a Ubuntu forum and they helped me in understanding the installion process. I'll be bugging them from now on with my Ubuntu questions. Thank you guys for all the help.
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Well, after looking a little better I found the screen resolution. I also found a Ubuntu forum and they helped me in understanding the installion process. I'll be bugging them from now on with my Ubuntu questions. Thank you guys for all the help.
Of course, you're welcome for what assistance we could provide.
Would you mind providing a URL for the Ubuntu forums that assisted you so that we have them on record for future reference? :)
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ubuntuforums.org
Thanks again for all the great assistance.