[NyahLevi]

The best noob way to try linux,imho, is to get either Knoppix or PCLinux, (or both, they're free after all). They each a linux that runs off of a cd, you just set your machine to boot off the cd drive and the system will load and set itself. To get rid of it, just remove the cd and reboot. Knoppix will read the XP file system, which some will not do, I don't know about the other. both come with a good suite of software including an office suite and iunternet browser. Knoppix connected right up to the broadband connection on one machine I tried, set of of the whole system was only a couple of minutes.
Nyah Levi
I forgot to say to use google to find the mirror sites, each can be downloaded as an iso file and burned to a cd. A koppix disk is $4.00. NY

[oldtownguy]

I have the distro CD for Morphix and when I try to boot it, I keep getting this error message that says, "No screens found". What does this mean?

I am logged in under my Yahoo (too_cool_69) and MSN (gladwinguy) messangers. Give me a hollar if ya know anything about this. Perhaps you can help me work through it. Thank you.

[oldtownguy]

well, i finished with a Mandrake install, but I'm confused on what to do next. I think I'm just too stupid to run Linux and should stick to windows

[lynch]

What do you want to do?
lynch

[saikee]

I have been experiementing with Linux for only two weeks and have tried about 5 to 6 systems so far.

OK it is not easy especially if you get a older and incomplete version. The three big guns Mandrake, Fedora/Redhat and Suse are quite reasonable. I would even say Linux is easier to install because it doesn't ask me for a driver (hee hee hee, because there is none available from the hardware vender) whereas a Windows system like XP will demand drivers for the webcam, TV card, sound card and video card....

Linux is really for people interested in computing, in my opinion, because all the hardware appear to be managed generically and not to the full potential of the products. For example it would consider its job done by giving me the sound and doesn't want to know the 5 or 6 channel stereo the board can do. That is totally logical to me as the board manufacturers rarely supply drivers in Linux. In future it can change but I am happy of what has been accomplished by Linux.

Thus there are set backs if one wants the latest multimedia technology and has to wait for the community to work out the solutions.

However Linux is many times more powerful than MS system because it is universal covering all kind of computer technologies. All the commands, techniques and systems one learn from it will be continuously useful. I must have wasted part of my life learning and converting things from DOS to Win9x, Win2k and XP.

But the most important aspect, to me personally, is that Linux allows us to understand what is going on. The user of Linux decides how his/her system should run. It is a long way before I can play tone with Linux but the possibility is there. Not only the source codes are open but all the techiques and skills too.

My two weeks experience has taught me that Linux allows me to load many systems in my computer to serve me any way I want. When a MS system comes in it kicks everybody out by re-writing and taking over the boot system. Yet Linux shows ways how MS systems can still be managed.

I am not looking to replace the MS system completely yet but there is nothing to stop us to run both systems. The amount of work achieved by the Linux community is now sufficient for me to predict that Linux will definitely grow at the expense of MS because 90% of the normal computer tasks can be done in Linux at a higher speed.

Linux is free. Even the full featured commercial versions are excellent value for money.

[oldtownguy]

well, I was looking to figure out how to get passed the DOS looking sign in, but I got fed up with it and went on to install Morphix, but I installed it and now I can't get the screen resolution to match and the monitor looks like a 2 yr old got ahold of the Vert. and Horiz. holds of a tv set.

[saikee]

oldtownguy,

You should get a Linux version that comes a reasonably complete desktop so that you can navigate without exclusively submerged into the DOS command.

[oldtownguy]

I got Morphix now, but I can't see anything because the resolution is all crazy.

[saikee]

This thread taught me how to change the screen resolution. I suppose your screen should be OK in either 800x600 or 640x480. I deleted the other choices to get back my Linux and re-configured to the highest setting common to both graphic card and display.

[oldtownguy]

K let's pretend for a second that I have no intelligent comprehension of Linux whatsoever, which actually isn't that far from the truth. Can you walk me through everyting you did starting from turning the machine on. I am available on both of my instant messangers so if ya want to contact me there for simplicity, I'll gladly give the IM's and screen names I use.

[saikee]

oldtownguy,

Sorry it is late for me to do anything now. But my guess is a graphic card may have been wrongly picked in your case. However if one uses the fundamental VGA resolution of 680x480 there is a good chance the screen will behave normally.

The Linux setup file containing this information is in

"The file you seek is /etc/X11/XF86Conifg or /etc/X11/xorg.conf
towards the end is the section that reffers to screen resolutions."

I just followed the instruction and locate the directory. Using a Linux text editor "vi" to delete the higher resolutions. Reboot the system and that was it.

To get into command mode I press Ctrl+Alt+F1. You may need to log in with "root" as the administrator in order to have the priviliege to alter the setting. You can just type "su" to switch user and then the password when you installed Linux. Change directory is "cd / /etc/X11". Think I just delete the higher modes in my case.

However, the original CD or DVD with which you did the installation can be used to re-configure the system. So it may be easier just to use it. I did it a couple of times on mine. Linux is pretty good in rescuing itself.

[oldtownguy]

ok I'll give it a try. thank you.

[linux god]

Gentoo is the only distro worth trying. All other distros are for fags, especially Mandrake and Fedora.

[saikee]

Let's be fair

I have been doing a lot of installations in recent two weeks since wandering into Linux.

So far I got Fedora C2, Suse 9.1 and Mandrake 9.2 in the same Hdd with the XP and can boot to any one of them. Took a bit of reading and 2 to 3 posts for help.

I haven't checked everthing but my TV, sound, DVD and Windows partitions have been successfully mounted by one Linux or the other. It is too early for me to come down on any system but I do find the 3 systems living happily together. I am sure a lot of the teething problems can be sorted out. For example I notice in Fedora C2, depending the type of installation, say for example standalone or workstation, the sound can be OK in one but not in the other because the correct module may not have been loaded.

Linux is a real operating system giving the owner a complete control over everything and it needs a good manual and many reference books to get to the bottom and understand what is going on.

I just concentrated on Grub the bootloader and that got me several Linux up successfully. It is better to have a few working because altogether they prove the hardwares are compatiable. It could be a waste of time worrying about sound of DVD not working in a particular Linux when the other versions are OK, and then find out the non-working version already obsolete or restricted when it was compiled as a distro.

[~Candy~]

Originally Posted by linux god

Gentoo is the only distro worth trying. All other distros are for fags, especially Mandrake and Fedora.

Consider this the only warning you will get here. We don't tolerate crap like that