linux

tyerone

Expert Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2008
Messages
1,024
Reaction score
123
hi

im keen to start learing linux, fiddling on it, im going to be installing on a old old celeron, anyone got any ideas on which one i should install???

thanks
 
Mod_note: thread redirected to Linux section :)
 
These days, Ubuntu is the way to go for new Linux users. The main reason for this is because a lot of the common questions have been asked and answered on http://www.ubuntuforums.org

There is a lot of support for common hardware built into Ubuntu, so everything should run out-of-the-box.

If the old machine you are installing to is REALLY old and slow, you may want to consider installing Xubuntu instead. It's similar to Ubuntu, but uses a different Desktop Environment; one that is stripped down, graphically, for slower computers.

The first, and arguably most important, thing to get up and running is your internet connection. That way you can search for help (especially on these forums) without having to boot between Windows and Ubuntu the whole time, which would be a sure-fire way to kill your desire to learn more about the OS.

Posting detailed specifications of the computer you'd like to install on would give us a better idea of what to suggest, and let you know what to expect.
Try and mention the following:
1) Processor
2) Amount of RAM
3) Amount of hard drive space
4) Video adapter (ATi, nVidia, specific model)
5) Network connection (wireless, wired, onboard, pci, etc)
 
Try and mention the following:
1) Processor (old celeron)
2) Amount of RAM 256
3) Amount of hard drive space 40gb
4) Video adapter (ATi, nVidia, specific model) onboard
5) Network connection (wireless, wired, onboard, pci, etc)
onboard wired
 
Definitely go for Xubuntu then, or if you really want speed you could perhaps try out Fluxbuntu (not really recommended as configuration is more difficult) or Puppy (haven't tried it).

Since you are unlikely to require any special effects, your graphic card should work pretty easily, and Ubuntu is pretty good at picking up wired network cards.

Xubuntu minimum system requirements:
Minimum system requirements
You need 128 MB RAM to run the Live CD or 192 MB RAM to install. The Alternate Install CD only requires you to have 64 MB RAM at install time. To install Xubuntu, you need 1.5 GB of free space on your hard disk. Once installed, Xubuntu can run with 192 MB RAM, but it is strongly recommended to have at least 256 MB RAM.
 
Try something with a Live CD like knoppix, that way you can boot from a cd into linux and play around to get familiar without having to install it first.
 
I have currently installed Ubuntu hardy heron. I am finding it difficult going. At first i couldnt even get the lan connection to work, what a mission. If you dont get the network card going you in trouble and might at well stop right there.

It was told that i should have made sure my hardware was compatible before installing ubuntu, i suggest you do the same with whatever flavour of linux you want to try.
 
Chances are 99.9% that your normal hardware will be supported, it's just a case of learning how to use a totally new operating system as you go.

Like I said a few months ago, it has been years since I last got a piece of hardware that did not work with Linux.
 
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X