[SidBhatt]

Hello,

I'm a new user, I have absolutely no knowledge of UNIX. I've been working on Windows for a long time now. I'll be learning UNIX/Linux in college, and so I want to install it on my system. I've heard from some people that there are different "types" (?) of Linux. Being a totally inexperienced user, what should I use? Also, can I install Linux on my present Windows 98 system? Will I have to un-install Windows, or can I have both Windows and Linux on my system? How will that work?

I'd really appreciate any help. Thank you.



Sid Bhatt

[stufine]

I would install mandrake. It seems to be easiest to install with windows already on the hard drive. So yes you can have both os' on your hard drive. On boot up you will have to choose which one you want in.

[maxim]

If you want a regular UNIX, FreeBSD seems pretty nice! Never used it, but I plan to...when I get some more money! I'm broke from getting Slackware 8.0 right now

--maxim

[fuzznuts]

Welcome aboard Linux! If you are patient you will like it.For someone starting out Mandrake is a good choice as already posted.However, Redhat and SuSE are great choices also.All are easy to install and not to hard to start using right away.If you have a high speed connection go to linuxiso.org and you will have a bunch of Linux distros to choose from for free download.

[SidBhatt]

Actually I have Red Hat Linux 6.2 on a CD? Would that be good for a beginner like me? And I read I'd have to partition my hard disk. Would that result in me losing whatever data I currently have on my hard drive?


Sid Bhatt

[maxim]

I use Red Hat 7.1, tried 6.1, but my video card wasn't compliant with it, so I couldn't use X. Anyway, it depends on how you partition your hard drive. I'm not sure if the RedHat partiton program can do undestructive partitioning, but I know that Partition Magic can do it. How big is your hard disk, and how many, and how large, of partitions do you plan to make for Linux? If you do destructive partitioning, some of your data will be lost. Before you re-partition your system, make sure you <B>ALWAYS</B> defragment your system, so data is set in it's correct place. If I were you, I'd first defragment, then back up your existing system, and finally go ahead with the Linux installation.

In regards to the question "Would that be good for a beginner like me?", It shouldn't be too much trouble. Just gather as much information on your computer as you can, such as your video card, mouse, monitor, etc. The monitor is extremely important, because if it's not correct, you might OVERCLOCK YOUR MONITOR, which may result in damage to it (you'd have to get another monitor...). Choose the correct settings...

If you have extensive iinformation on your computer, then you should have no problem. I find the RedHat installation easier than Mandrake.

Oh, one last note. Before you install, make sure you know about your video card. An i810, or an i810e onboard card won't work; only RH 7.1 supports it. I went through the trouble, and I <b>KNEW THE PAIN!!!</b>.

Good Luck! Let us know if you have any questions!

--maxim

[swwelsh]

There is a Dos tool called FIPS that can split a partition without disturbing the data. I have used it and it worked fine, but I still wouldn't mess with it if you dont have a backup. Partition Magic would be better. You might consider putting linux on a second disk, 2gigs or so would be plenty of room, you can get disk like that for cheap these days. Here's a page that goes through it:
http://www.control-escape.com/lx-mak...l#fat32support
I agree with Maxim about knowing all about your hardware, especially the video. You cant do much without getting X windows to run right. A newer version of linux would have a stable version of KDE or Gnome, that would it make it easier to get going, they are a lot more user friendly than some of the older window managers.

[stufine]

I believe if you go to redhat.com and look up fips. they tell you how to make your backup and then run fips.

Fips has always worked for me. I learned Linux using Redhat so i believe it is a good starting system. Mandrake is just more user friendly in my eyes.

You can always download redhat 7.1 for free or go out and buy it for $20 if you want the latest and greatest.

[SidBhatt]

Well, I used Partition Magic, and it worked perfectly. And I checked up on all the hardware compatibility issues too. Finally, I've successfully installed Linux and it works perfectly. Thanks very much all the help, all of you. Thanks.



Sid

[maxim]

Congrats! Linux is great. It hides NOTHING from you. If you are a pro at windoze, try to install Linux; you realize that you don't know <b>a fraction</b> of what you think you know! Glad you got it working!

--maxim

[stufine]

Woo Hoo way to go.