Hi, I am trying to replace Windows XP on my computer with Linux.

Question

I am in need of a little help, for I do not want to mess anything up. (I am 15, yes my parents know I am doing this.)   I am quite computer savvy, but have no idea how command prompt works, and I have heard there is command prompt used in installing Linux.   First and foremost, my computer's specs. and a question.   Computer Specs. :   Dell Inspiron E1505 Intel Duel Core Duo T2050 @ 1.60 GHz Each 504 MB of RAM Media Center Edition 2002   The graphics card, I am not sure of, because I cannot remember what it is.   And on to the question:   What Linux OS would be best for me if I want to game and browse the web, and use applications like Photoshop CS2 and such.   I also have seen a desktop layout myself, but I am not too sure what it is called. My buddy says it is a Beryl Project (somthing or the other, I'm not sure.) Desktop or whatever it is called in Linux terms.   His computer did well with gaming, and such, like I want it, plus it had a very nice look to the desktop. He tought me how to work around the thing, and it was amazing, and very useful.   I would like to convert my Windows to a Linux using the best possible things to do it with. I think I still might have a OS cd one of my dad's friends gave me after they rebuit their Linux computer. I belive it is a SuSE, somthing like that, it had 2005 or 2006 written on it as the date the OS was made I belive, so that would be an option to me. Please, any insight would be great.   Thanks again, Rotor Soldat.

Rotor Soldat · Answer

I forgot to add, after I make the conversion, will I still be able to use my wireless internet with the internal card?   Thanks, Rotor Soldat.

duane534 · Answer

First of all, that computer is probably better off with any O/S that's not XP MCE '02. LOL

Second, with a modern Linux, you don't really need to know how to use the command line that much, and IF you do, there'll be someone online who has had the EXACT same issue and can probably tell line for line what to do.

Linux distributions are honestly very similar if all you are worried about is web browsing and image editing.

You will basically be only able to play Linux games, so your current collection (if you have one) won't work. Will there be Linux versions of some major titles? Yes. Will there be LOTS of free ONLY Linux games? Definitely. So, unless you want a SPECIFIC title, you're good. Also, if you wish, you can run Linux AND Windows on the same computer rather easily, anyway.

As far as browsing the web, Firefox is becoming standard to Linux as Internet Explorer is to Windows, especially if you use a GNOME distribution. (There are two desktops for Linux, GNOME and KDE, one Mac-ish by default and one Windows-ish by default, and both customizable enough to do what you want.)

PhotoShop is Windows only. However, the GIMP is just like it, opens the same files, I believe, and has a better interface in my opinion. (Same for MS Office vs. OpenOffice.)

If you're talking desktop effects, it likely is Beryl. It makes the goodies in Vista look pathetic to be honest, and can ACTUALLY run on that PC you just described. Vista Home Premium (the cheapest version of Vista) that has ANY effects wouldn't start on that machine. Beryl will and well.

Don't use an old distribution, especially SuSE. LOL... Hardware won't work as well, and it'll be harder to install. In the end, you'll get the same setup. (Well, not with SuSE, as it costs to upgrade now.)

As far as specific hardware support, most Linux distributions have a LiveCD or LiveDVD that you can create for free or order for cheap that will run off of CD/DVD without installing, so that you can test the environment without damaging what is actually on the computer. It is NOT a good indicator of performance, as hard drives are much faster. It's just to see where you stand with the hardware.

I recommend getting Fedora 7. It's insanely easy to install, holds your hand pretty well, runs a bit slow, but you have enough computer for it by far. (I've installed it on PCs that came with Windows 95.) There is also a LiveCD version to test the mentioned wireless card. Use the GNOME version if you want a more streamlined version. Use the KDE if you're stuck on the Windows interface. All in all, just kiss crashes, slowdowns, and confusing update procedures goodbye. :)

duane534 · Answer

Most importantly, tell us how it goes. :)

duane534 · Answer

Beryl is a window manager, not a desktop. It's really hard to explain to someone previously trapped in a Windows world. It'll run on any distro or any desktop. And, Java works, yes.

Rotor Soldat · Answer

Well, thanks for answering, but I now have another question. Ubuntu, or Sabayon? Sabayon is supposedly very quick, and very easy to use, but so is Ubuntu. Not sure about all the details, but these are the current two I have in my possession at the moment.   Thanks, Rotor Soldat.

ByCo · Answer

I agree, don't sweat the command line. Most distro's use a completely graphical installer now.

I also agree with the suggestion about the live cds. If you have access to a high speed internet connection I'd download and burn as many of them as possible and try them. Keep in mind that they all will run faster from a hard drive install than from the cd but you can tell which one will work the best on your hardware.

On that note, I would very strongly recommend trying SimlyMEPIS 6.5. The ISO can be downloaded from mepis.org. It is outstanding at automatic hardware detection and configuration. It will most likely have your wireless up and running without you having to do anything. It also includes the Beryl 3D desktop on the live cd so you can try it out on your hardware before you even install the OS.

duane534 · Answer

I'm not familiar with Sabayon, but no major distro is hard to use. Ubuntu, in my opinion, is too dumbed down. If you can use a modern version of Windows, you can use any binary-based distribution. And, Linux has VERY low system requirements. With a PC like the one you mentioned, no distro will be a problem. You may have slow boot times, but that's it.

Rotor Soldat · Answer

Alright, thanks so much for your help.   I always wanted to try somthing new, because I have been using the same Windows since I was about 4. It is good to have a change. :smileyhappy:   So Sabayon is my final choice.

ByCo · Answer

Java is installed and turned on by default in SimpleMEPIS.

Rotor Soldat · Answer

Well, I will go with Sabayon most likely, because it is the official 'distro' for Beyrl, so it should work well, because that is the 'interface' or 'desktop' I plan to use.   One more thing though, Java works on Linux right?

ByCo · Answer

What software did you use to burn the cds? Did you burn them as bootable images? Did you check the MD5 sums?

Rotor Soldat · Answer

Well, I am having a few problems booting the softwares I downloaded. I burned them to a CD, and when I try to do a boot from them, they do nothing. So I try to go to the boot menu on start-up (F12), and no luck. It just sends me to a screen saying enter command prompt, which it does not accept.   And by them I mean:   Ubuntu and MEPIS, they don't work for me. I try following instructions on the Ubuntu site and no luck.

duane534 · Answer

It sounds like he decompressed ISOs and burned the contents onto disks. You can't do that. You MUST keep the ISO and burn the disk like that. http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

Rotor Soldat · Answer

Well, yeah I had figured that out, WINRAR was automatically extracting them, so I had no idea what was going on. But I have run into yet another problem.   When I try to install Ubuntu, it freezes after the Linux Kernel loads.   When I try to install Sabayon, it tells me my computer cannot run it, I need a different version. The thing is, I am using the correct version.   And MEPIS won't even burn to a disk. I re DL it, but it keeps failing.   What should I do? I want to use Sabayon, because it has Beyrl already installed...

duane534 · Answer

Are you installing or running a LiveCD?

Linux General

Hi, I am trying to replace Windows XP on my computer with Linux.

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