Thread: Switching to Linux

I'd go with Ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Download the CD image, and burn it to a blank CD

You can try it out without changing anything by running it off of the CD
(It'll be a tad slow, but you can have a look around and see what it's all about without actually installing it)

Re: Yahoo messenger
Use Pidgin, it's a multi-protocol IM client
comes pre-installed with Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the best, like Ynot said.

Ok thanks.
How big is the image that i need to burn to a disc? I only have 700MB discs.

700mb

that'll be fine
The images are designed for 700 mb CD's

Ok sweet. My comp is actually being scanned for Conflicker C right now, but I'll be sure to test this tommorow. Not to sure about installing it myself though, I've never installed an OS.

UBUNTU I got a few CDs I can mail you ubuntu 8.10.
But I understand if you dont want me to have your address lol.
But yeah ubuntu!
Yes I am sure there are clone programs for yahoo. I think pidgin is able to use yahoo also I am not sure..

Let me know how this goes, I might do the same at some point. I've never installed an OS either.

MagicalMike: lol not neccesary, but thanks for the offer.

Mes Tarrant: Will do

As I said, you don't have to install it right away
you can run it directly off of the CD
you can play around with it for a few days and only install it if you're happy

Here's a tutorial on how to install it
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Insta...10-97417.shtml

As ever, any specific questions, just drop me a PM

also, you may want to have a look at http://ubuntuforums.org
there's loads of info there
but in all honesty, installation is not hard

*edit*

also, search this forum for the word "ubuntu"
there's been tons of threads on it
general stuff and fairly detailed, specific stuff

Yeah but dont get a ATI driver...

installation is very easy, it's a GUI setup like OSX.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

installation is very easy, it's a GUI setup like OSX.

i dont even know what that means.
Im a newb with computers.

Graphical user interface like Macintosh operating system 10.



Really, though, it's very easy. As Ynot said, search this forum, you'll find plenty of info on it.

Well, I'm on Ubuntu now, giving it a shot before I actually install it.
The only thing I've noticed is that when I click the mouse wheel I don't get the arrows that let me move the page up or down quickly. Is there a way to fix that?

Under Linux, middle clicking is the second copy-paste buffer

There's the ctrl+c / ctrl+v copy-paste as used on Xerox PARC / DOS / Windows

but Unix-like systems under x-windows traditionally used the middle mouse button to paste selected test at the cursor position

So, it's a bit of a conflict with the windows way of auto scrolling

You can enable it under Firefox by typing

Code:

about:config

in the address bar, and setting
general.autoScoll to true

but to be honest, just use the arrow keys

Thanks Ynot!
I'm done testing it out and I'm gonna install it.
Thanks everyone for your help!

Edit: in the tutorial you directed me to, it shows a picture about installing a boot loader, it shows a drop down menu and one of the options highlighted.
Could you check the picture for me and tell me if that's the option I'm supposed to pick?

It shouldn't matter where you install the boot loader
just leave everything on the default settings

okay cool. i'm gonna go install now.

Just out of interest, how many hard disks do you have in your machine?

If just one, then you'll be resizing the windows partition to make room for Linux
Make sure you give Linux at least 5Gb (more if you can)

again, it'll default to a nice value anyway (depending on the free space available)
but thought I'd just mention it

Is there a way to fix that?

Thats what linux is all about! lol

Originally Posted by Ynot

Just out of interest, how many hard disks do you have in your machine?

If just one, then you'll be resizing the windows partition to make room for Linux
Make sure you give Linux at least 5Gb (more if you can)

again, it'll default to a nice value anyway (depending on the free space available)
but thought I'd just mention it

I only have one hard disc.
But in that Tut it says there would be an option that will Resize my Windows partition and use the remaining space for Ubuntu, but the only option it gives me is to resize and use the entire disc for ubuntu, i dont want to delete all my windows stuff

Ah,
sounds like your windows install is fragmented or got minor errors on it
(If Ubuntu is at all nervous of resizing your Windows partition, it just won't - in case of data loss)

You're going to have to boot to windows and defrag your drive
also, might be an idea to run chkdsk (to check for disk errors)

Try to defrag the drive first
it may just be that your windows partition is fragmented to hell

If the defrag fails, then you have minor errors on the hard disk
in this case, open up a command prompt, and run

Code:

chkdsk /f

this will scan for and fix any errors

Again, because it's a delicate operation, If Ubuntu is at all nervous of resizing your Windows partition, it just won't


*edit*
also, when Ubuntu is resizing your windows partition, there won't be any progress indication
it's not possible for the installer to know how long the resize will take, so it doesn't even try to show it's progress
It can be a little disconcerting for people to have it sit there at 0% for 10 mins, but it will be doing stuff

the important thing, is once started, do not interrupt it

okay cool thanks, i'm defragging right now