ok....so I'm sick this weekend.....so I have a lot of time and I need something to do. I want to set up Linux on my desktop.....uhm anyone have any good places to learn how to do this. I know jack about Linux. I want to set up an apache server on it too but I'll get to that once I get it set up.....

So basically I'm looking for maybe some tips, good web pages for info, where to download....anything you guys can think that will benefit me.....

Thanks!

 

I'm currently in the process of download Fedora Project version....I dunno I guess I'll just go with the flow

 

Sorry I didn't see this sooner, but with Fedora & pretty standard hardware (like no 10 yr old cd rom you made yourself from a kit) it should be really straight forward. You can just take it's suggestions during the install & get a functional system. I think it'll install apache on there by default, but you'll have to edit it's config file for it to work. Had Fedora core 1 on this pc for a year or so & just recently switched it to Gentoo. Gentoo runs faster, but takes for friggen ever to compile everything. I'm no guru, but let me know if you have any questions

Oh, and I always hit google with any questions, there's TONS of linux help out there.

 

Cool, I'm looking for a standard or basic OS. This way I can learn a little on it...I got some basic question though...

I'm downloading the ISO now. So I'm gonna make a DVD with it on it. Then what do I do?...I guess I'm gonna partian my secondary HD. I'm gonna back up everything on my system first of course. Then what do I do?...I guess I'll figure it out as I go along, but any tips or things to look out for would be helpful...

 

I haven't used Fedora, I recently tried Suse. It was easy enough. If one doesn't work try another distribution. Expect to install it a couple of times until you get the hang of what is going on. That's how I learned my way around Linux. Just start playing until you mess it up. If you can't get it back to the previous working state, just reinstall.
There is also a lot of info out there how to do things. Just use Google to search.

 

You should just be able to put the dvd you burn in, reboot (making sure your dvd drive is in the boot device list in your BIOS before your C drive & the install program will fire up. I'm 95% sure that once you start it it will have a GUI partition tool you can use. hdb should be your second hard drive, and it will name the partitions hdb1, hdb2, hdb3 etc. It'll also walk you thru setting up grub or lilo not sure which of those fedora prefers, but they are pretty much the same. It should see that you have windows on hda ( c: ) and let you add it to the boot list. The next time you reboot, you'll get a fedora screen right away that list your windows on drive c:, and a few options for fedora, like regular, safe mode, etc. That way you can easily boot into either OS.

Damn that's long, and I haven't even had my coffee yet. Short version, the fedora install program makes everything really easy. I'll stop now.

 

holy error batman....

So I followed the intructions....burned the dvd iso....then burned the boot iso....put the boot cd in...followed through, easy enough....then when it asked to put the main dvd in i did....I was prompted to either check disc or skip, i selected check the dvd and it did so...it passed...then i clicked continue...then I start getting Errors, i-486 failed (), i gives me the option to ignore or cancel...i keep clicking ignore and it just wont let me get anywhere....

It said this was as easy as using a MAC, but I dont think it is....I'm nervous about loosing alot of my data....I dont really know what to do now.....I might just say hell with it.....

 

Well its formatting something now....HOPEFULLY its hdb and not hba i made sure everyone hba was not selected and its supposed to install on hdb....so hopefully I wont loose anything....lol i really should have read more before proceeding....

 

I can't tell you how many coasters I've burned that were supposed to ISO's, hope it works for ya. After reading your newest post, I REALLY hope it's working right....

 

For learning those things it might be wiser to get a cheap extra computer. I used one and had one of those cables to switch the monitor and keyboard between two cpus. You have to press the scrll lock twice quickly to switch between the two. That way you only need one extra computer and you can use two network cards for it to make it a router/firewall. I used by linux box to run edonkey. There is a version for linux which doesn't have the limitations the windows version does. You can have a higher download then upload speed which the windows version doesn't allow.

 

omg...this is really confusing me....i have a friend prompting me on what to type via IRC on my laptop....my wireless card isnt on the network list

thus making it even more difficult.....i'm gonna take a break for a bit....i'll probably end up reformating it and saying screw it....

 

Your PC uses a wireless card to connect to your LAN? I've had some real headaches getting the wireless USB on my laptop to work, that seems like a rough spot. If you are going to give up for now, I would suggest burning a Knoppix disk & playing with that. It's a full distro that runs straight from CD, nothing gets installed. Good way to check linux out without the install hassle.

 

oh man
i'm in serious trouble....i went to delete linux....so i just deleted the partition...now when i boot i get a "grub" command prompt

i cant get into windows.....lol....i'm having now but i'm seriously going to loose alot of work if I cant get those files off it....heheh

 

anyone know what this grub thing is and how i can get it off there?

 

LOL...well i tried doing fdisk mdr now i get a blue screen.....lets see....4 sets of blue prints, all the bills i've ever sent out....hmmm

thats probably about 20,000 dollars worth of stuff I'll have to rebuy with the prints....talk about learning the hard way...ok i'm gonna be in the garage punching the floor....

 

hey, can you call me? edit: number removed

 

CynicX, a solution.
Last Sept. I posted in here about my PC crashing, and I could not boot onto XP.

I thought I was going to loose all my files, but a member suggested reloading XP into a new folder which I did.

Once I did this, I was able to access all of my old files I had, and transfer them over to my old PC via my home network.

Give this a shot, then format your PC and get it back to running again.

 

thats exactly what I'm doing....I'm installing WinXP on my D: drive, then I'm gonna make D my primary, then once I get everything up i'm gonna pull everything off the old C: onto the D:...then format the old D:....THEN move the stuff back onto it...

I took care of the plan, my brother has them on his HD in maryland.....I told him if I loose them I'll buy his HD from him....heheh so I'm covered if this doesnt work...

 

I should have it covered....thx though...

 

what ever linux did or I did to Linux it destroyed both MBR's on both drives....I've already resorted too loosing all my data....not both drives are unpartitioned and WinXP says it cant use the HD's.....this is not my day.....