Linux help

sudhanshu123

sudhanshu123

Disciple
hello everyone, i need some serious help here.

i want to try out linux and i am a kind of a noob when it comes to linux.i want to mention that i tried it 1 year ago(mandriva distro) and it went above my head.so i need help in chossing which distro i should try out and what is the basic difference in these different versions?and i would basically need help in other things too -from media players to basically which files the os can play(like windows has the .exe files,so what does linux execute?).i am virtually ready to gobble up everything anyone has to say about linux.and also please remind of its bootloader grub and its dual boot options because the last time i installed linux ,there was a huge mess of bootloader problems when i just formatted the linux drive to remove it(:@:@:@:@).and what about the drivers needed?i would also like to know what filesystem linux uses(fat or ntfs anyone?).i would be grateful if some knowledgeable person would help me out here because i have a heavy request.:D:D
 
Seeing your post, you are totally a beginner in Linux. Be prepared to read and read and read.
One of the best website I would recommend to anyone:
Linux Professional Institute (LPI) exam prep : Overview

You need to start either with Ubuntu (easier Debian) or with Fedora (more up to date Redhat and Enterprise ready) - you have to find and refine your own taste. I will say 'variety adds to spices...', so taste both.

There are no .exe files in Linux, rather you have 'executable' permission enabled for required files.

Linux support wide variety of file systems, best will be EXT3 or EXT4 to start with. It can easily mount NTFS /FAT32 from inside OS environment.

As for drivers, h/w meeting your signature - they will be installed by default without any hassles by Ubuntu and Fedora.

Currently, most Distros does multiboot partitions nicely using intuitive GUI . So, grub won't give you a problem. However, read about grub briefly before going ahead.

I would request you to search using Google for interesting topics, then go to howtoforge.com website to see how each distros are being installed and used. Its a very good website for both beginners and intermediates alike.
 
Ubuntu didn't work for me. I reinstalled it 3-4 times, but the installation kept getting corrupted after a few reboots, and I had to reinstall it. Eventually I discovered the cause of the corruptions was a damaged partition table. I downloaded and installed Mint Linux, and used it to repair the partition table without any data loss. It's been running problem free for over a month now. The installation was smooth, and all the apps I needed were installed by default. And if you want to install anything else, theres a software centre program which lets you choose your program, and then downloads and installs it and all it's dependencies for you with a couple of clicks.
Theres no need to take a course to use Linux, it's almost as easy as using Windows. I've got it running alongside my windows installation, and it can access both the NTFS and FAT partitions without a problem.
All you need to do is create 2 partitions during the installation, a 2-4 GB "SWAP" partition and a large "/" (root) partition.
The only problem I faced was getting it to network with my windows computers. But then I turned to some online help, and got it working.
Download a couple of Live CD's and see which flavour you like. You can run Linux off a USB stick, so there's no need to even burn a DVD. Install them once you've chosen the right distribution for yourself.
Try any or all of the following :Ubuntu, Mint, OpenSuse and Fedora. They're the most popular distributions.
Also, within each distribution you'll have a choice of window managers, KDE and GNOME being the most popular. They dictate how the interface is presented, and how your windows will look and behave. Try both, and see which you prefer.
Linux should be installed on an EXT4 or a REISER FS partition. Neither will be accessible from within windows, so save all your files to a FAT32 partition so that it can be accessed from both OS's.
As long as you don't install Linux on the 1st partition, then erasing the Linux partition won't affect your bootloader. If you do have a problem even after that, then use fdisk to set the "active partition" to your Windows one.
By default many media players will be installed. However, the mp3 codec may not be. But any codec that's needed will be downloaded and installed automatically. As will any app.
The apps in Linux are cooler than Windows apps. For instance in Linux we've got a media player which automatically downloads the lyrics of any song it's playing and shows it alongside. My girlfriend loves that!
btw, my girlfriend is a complete noob, last week she asked me to explain the difference between hardware and software, and she's using Linux. Her comp dual boots between Windows and Linux, and she always chooses Linux, even though I've left Windows as the default option.
 
for beginners i will suggest linux mint ... its a refined ubuntu basically and most people like it as it has a easier GUI than ubuntu :P
 
Linux Mint for Ubuntu/Debian and

Fuduntu for Fedora/RHEL :)

When you use Linux, just don't go depending on GUI.

Like playing Chess, Linux will keep your mind active and sharp if you use CLI interfaces. It is unavoidable and let you learn the OS environment which will be helpful in long run.
 
ok, so i have decided to go with mint.i am using windows 7 now so my partitions(2 partitions) are both ntfs.as iamdevil said will mint be able to access the contents of both my partitions?btw i want to install mint on my partiton which isn't housing the windows.and any recommendations on what to do immediately after starting the mint?some app installations or some management etc.?i want to make linux a full substitute for windows so kindly tell me what all will be needed.and thanks everyone for the help.

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

and changing between window managers such as KDE and GNOME would be possible and flexible right?and my proccy is 64-bit compatible so should i try 64 bit variant of mint or 32 bit? i wanted to try a 64 bit os but doing a fresh installation of windows was not practical,so i want to try 64 bit mint.it will install 64 bit drivers of my gpu and other parts allright?
 
sudhanshu123 said:
ok, so i have decided to go with mint.i am using windows 7 now so my partitions(2 partitions) are both ntfs.as iamdevil said will mint be able to access the contents of both my partitions?btw i want to install mint on my partiton which isn't housing the windows.and any recommendations on what to do immediately after starting the mint?some app installations or some management etc.?i want to make linux a full substitute for windows so kindly tell me what all will be needed.and thanks everyone for the help.

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

and changing between window managers such as KDE and GNOME would be possible and flexible right?and my proccy is 64-bit compatible so should i try 64 bit variant of mint or 32 bit? i wanted to try a 64 bit os but doing a fresh installation of windows was not practical,so i want to try 64 bit mint.it will install 64 bit drivers of my gpu and other parts allright?
Click to expand...
Ok, so now that you have choosed your distro, now there are two ways which you can install Linux Mint.

1. Using Wubi(Which generally installs Linux inside Windows and creates a Boot Menu)

2. General way by creating partition.

Now if you think that there is no free space on your HDD, and you don't want to go through the hassle of shrinking existing partitions and then making space go for Wubi. But I strongly suggest to follow 2nd way i.e. the general way because installation through wubi cause many problems later on, specially if you start liking it and want to cont. it in long term.

And as for KDE and GNOME believe me you could start a World War with this discussion. So install one Desktop Environment, try it, install another, try it. Like this. Personally I like and use GNOME. But I won't recommend that as everyone has their own choise.

Ok now install it, and then will solve your other queries too. :)

Enjoy Linux :D
 
Depends on your configuration. As I can see in your signature, I'd recommend to go for 32bit. Though nothing logical here. But I won't suggest 64bit OS on 3GB RAM.
 
why dont you try installing in virtual machines get a hang of it and then start installing on a physical box? its safer than formatting and repartitioning.
 
64bit OS only effective if you have above 4GB RAM.

Otherwise you should be using specific 64bit application.

Note that Linux generally supports PAE Kernels.
 
ok, i will be installing 32 bit mint today.will post after done

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

hey one more thing,when new versions or builds of linux are released then to install the updated versions we will have to do a new full clean installation or the previous versions can be updated in some way?
 
I Tried Ubuntu, Mint, PCLinuxOS, Puppy
I think PCLinuxOS is most easy & "All In One Pack" in 700 MB you won't need any thing (Any driver, any codec) to download Except Office. If you want to try big try pclinuxos-kde-fullmonty-2011.01.

You have 2-3 options to try Linux

Before installing on HDD Try Live also help to choose distro
Live Boot it from CD/DVD/Pen Drive directly no need of HDD also
Burn CD/DVD
or Make Bootable Pen Drive Pen Drive using Unetbootin soft

after selection of distro
For HDD installation 2 or 3 partition

1. /
(Root) [10 GB with Home]

2. /home
(optional) [Storage of personal Docs]
Just like "Documents & Settings" of Windows
Use one shared NTFS for same

3. Swap
Size Twice of RAM
 
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