[Newbuntu]

Hi, I'm planning to resurrect my old PC and get rid of Windows XP installed in it and instead install Linux.

My old Desktop CPU has the following features:

Acer Aspire Desktop T120E - F880
AMD Athlon XP 2600+ processor
120 GB HDD
256MB DDR RAM
CD RW/DVD
MS Windows XP Home Edition SP3


I also have a laptop so I plan to download a Linux OS from my laptop, put it in a cd then install it on my old desktop. So here are the following things I need to know:

1) what's the best Linux OS can you recommend? I plan to use Ubuntu (latest version) is that a good one based on my desktop specs?

2) Thing is I kinda lost the driver installers for my old computer (i.e. for the graphics card and sound card). Do I need the driver installers for Linux? If so, where can I find them?

3) My old PC doesn't have wireless adapter hence I plan to install my wireless G router to it so that I can still use the Internet in my laptop (which has WiFi). My Belkin Wireless G Router installer is only for Windows so where can I find then an installer for Linux? Or is it possible for a Linux OS to make it run without a glitch?

Sorry if I've so many questions as I'm still totally clueless on how Linux works internally. But I've heard so many rave reviews about it and I've tried it meself from a friend's pc and I'm pretty pleased with it.

To warn you guys ahead and avoid further confusions, I also would prefer a little less technical jargon with the answers as I'm still unfamiliar with some words.

Thanks a million.

[saikee]

(1) Any current Linux will do.

(2) Linux comes with generic drivers

(3) You need popular Linux like Ubuntu if you want trouble free wireless.

[arochester]

1) If you only have 256Mb of RAM then Ubuntu will run, albeit more slowly and you will not be able to use fancy desktop effects. According to Wikipedia Ubuntu needs 256 Mb of RAM - but 384Mb is recommended. If you can, increase the amount of RAM in the computer.

2) As saikee says Linux has generic drivers. If your graphics driver is Nvidia or ATI, or some others, you will be able to install propiatary linux drivers.

3) For the wireless driver have a look at e.g. "Belkin Wireless G router" at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=680550

4) If you can't increase the RAM then there are other derivatives of Ubuntu you can use e.g. Xubuntu (Xfce) or Crunchbang (OpenBox) which need less resources (about 192 Mb of RAM). They will certainly run quicker on the amount you have...

5) Another thing, if you want one of the *buntus, download the Alternate Disk (straight install) rather than the Desktop Disk (LiveCD) because the first only needs 64Mb to install but the second uses LOTS more.

[TerryNet]

I almost got Xubuntu to work OK on my 128 MB RAM laptop, so you should have no trouble.

For the price of a download you can try multiple Linuxes, even install several. Just don't get carried away like saikee did!

Just about any Linux will "just work" with ethernet. I think they are all getting better with handling wireless adapters--I've certainly noticed Ubuntu and Puppy getting much better over the past year. If you are going to use wireless and already have an adapter, what is the brand and model?

[prunejuice]

Originally Posted by TerryNet

Just don't get carried away like saikee did!

You cannot stop saikee...

...you can only hope to contain him.

[Newbuntu]

Originally Posted by TerryNet

... If you are going to use wireless and already have an adapter, what is the brand and model?

Are wireless adapters the same as wireless routers?

See the thing is, my old desktop pc (where I'll install Linux in) isn't wireless so I'll connect it to my internet via my Belkin Wireless G router F5D7230-4 (it has these sockets for wired networking). I need the Wireless router so that I can still use the internet in my laptop which has WiFi and running on WinXP SP3...

Anyway my main concern is if I will install Linux (let's say, Ubuntu or Xubuntu) in my old pc, will I be able to install a driver (or if Linux comes with a driver) that will make my wireless router run well in it?

Hope this information helps... thanks loads for answering my questions and sharing a few tips

Sorry for such questions, as I'm still a newbie when it comes to Linux and I kinda had to rewire my "Windowsified" brain for this. I'm sure it would be worth it though...I love learning about these things.

[TerryNet]

Routers are independent networking devices, such as your Belkin Wireless G router F5D7230-4.

Wireless adapters are the small radios that connect to or are installed within computers to communicate by Wi-Fi with wireless routers. You apparently have one of these in your laptop.

If you plan to connect the desktop by ethernet to the router there is about a 99% probability that whatever Linux distribution(s) you select will include an appropriate driver for your ethernet adapter and install it automatically with no intervention needed.

[Newbuntu]

Originally Posted by TerryNet

Routers are independent networking devices, such as your Belkin Wireless G router F5D7230-4.

Wireless adapters are the small radios that connect to or are installed within computers to communicate by Wi-Fi with wireless routers. You apparently have one of these in your laptop.

If you plan to connect the desktop by ethernet to the router there is about a 99% probability that whatever Linux distribution(s) you select will include an appropriate driver for your ethernet adapter and install it automatically with no intervention needed.

thanks for the explanation. hopefully i'll get to install everything in without encountering problems

[durant125]

Unless you have reset (hard to do on accident) your router it will hold all of your wireless configurations and should work fine with your laptop regardless of what computer is hooked up to the belkin. Most routers (wireless and wired) have utilties via http (from you web browser). Ubuntu should come included with Firefox and you can configure your router from there if you know the Belkin's IP address.

[Newbuntu]

Thanks for your help, guys. Installed Ubuntu and is working very well ... yes including the wireless router