Noob with questions

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Solidus

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So I'm looking to get started with Linux as Windows annoys the crap out of me, too many issues not worth mentioning.
I got a few questions:

First off System specs:
1.8GHZ AMD Athlon XP 2800
512MB DDR400 RAM (soon to be 1.5 GIG DDR400)
XFX GeForce 6200 256MB AGP
250GB Seagate SATAII (20 GIG Windows partition)


Can I install Ubuntu without formatting my HDD?
I'm running XP in a partition and I'd like to keep it for my bro, how do I make it dual boot?
A friend of mine gave me a 64bit version of Ubuntu can't remember which version 8.something I think, I can run it live but I'm worried my system might be too slow if I full install. I'm sure this version is old now should I get a new one?
Can I play all types of media formats such as .mkv and the like?
 
Achmat_Samsodien said:
So I'm looking to get started with Linux as Windows annoys the crap out of me, too many issues not worth mentioning.
I got a few questions:

First off System specs:
1.8GHZ AMD Athlon XP 2800
512MB DDR400 RAM (soon to be 1.5 GIG DDR400)
XFX GeForce 6200 256MB AGP
250GB Seagate SATAII (20 GIG Windows partition)


Can I install Ubuntu without formatting my HDD?
I'm running XP in a partition and I'd like to keep it for my bro, how do I make it dual boot?
A friend of mine gave me a 64bit version of Ubuntu can't remember which version 8.something I think, I can run it live but I'm worried my system might be too slow if I full install. I'm sure this version is old now should I get a new one?
Can I play all types of media formats such as .mkv and the like?
Click to expand...

1) If you have a free partition, you can install Linux there, and keep the 20Gb Windows partition. It's also possible to use a partition editor to resize an existing one, to make space for Linux. However this is a risky operation.

2) When you install Linux, its boot manager (Grub, or Lilo on older versions) installs a boot menu which allows you to choose which OS to use

3) The "Live" CD runs a scaled-down version with basic hardware drivers. So a full install on the hard-disk, with correct drivers, should be a bit faster. I don't quite see how you used the 64-bit version on a 32-bit (AMD XP, which I assume is socket-A) platform though?

Get a copy of Ubuntu 8.04 (or perhaps even the preceding 7.10) and install that puppy!

3) Ubuntu doesn't ship with multimedia drivers, but it's simple enough to install. You could try PCLinuxOS, or LinuxMint, which should make life easier. Not sure what an ".mkv" format is though
:confused:
 
Shrink a partition to open up some room for the linux installation. It'll setup it's own partitions generally if you point it at a space to use and install a bootloader like Grub or LiLo that can allow dual booting to Windows :)

Media format playback are dependant on the player and installed packages. Generally if something aint working you can find a package that'll enable it either from the web or the installation disks. I use SuSe rather than Ubuntu so I can't give specifics on it for your version :)
 
flarkit said:
3) Ubuntu doesn't ship with multimedia drivers, but it's simple enough to install. You could try PCLinuxOS, or LinuxMint, which should make life easier. Not sure what an ".mkv" format is though
:confused:
Click to expand...

Matroska video codec
 
Achmat_Samsodien said:
So I'm looking to get started with Linux as Windows annoys the crap out of me, too many issues not worth mentioning.
I got a few questions:

First off System specs:
1.8GHZ AMD Athlon XP 2800
512MB DDR400 RAM (soon to be 1.5 GIG DDR400)
XFX GeForce 6200 256MB AGP
250GB Seagate SATAII (20 GIG Windows partition)


Can I install Ubuntu without formatting my HDD?
I'm running XP in a partition and I'd like to keep it for my bro, how do I make it dual boot?
A friend of mine gave me a 64bit version of Ubuntu can't remember which version 8.something I think, I can run it live but I'm worried my system might be too slow if I full install. I'm sure this version is old now should I get a new one?
Can I play all types of media formats such as .mkv and the like?
Click to expand...

1) Yes. You could run a Live disc, or, preferably, you could resize your 230ish gig partition to make space for Linux
2) If you are going to use Ubuntu, during install, it will give you an option of installing GRUB, the boot loader. This will allow you to choose which operating system to use at bootup.
3) I don't think the 64bit version will work, will it?
4) 8.04 was release at the end of April 2008. 8.04.1 was released a short while later. 8.10 will be released at the end of October.
5) Ubuntu doesn't ship with all codecs etc required to play those media formats. If you want these, it is suggested that you install VLC player and/or the ubuntu-restricted-extras package:
Code: 
sudo aptitude install vlc
sudo aptitude install ubuntu-restricted-extras
after enabling the multiverse repositories:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Ubuntu
 
Thanks guys, I'm not sure how but that 64bit version just runs on my PC off the CD only problem was the thing made too much noise.
This seems pretty easy I think I'll just back up all my data just in case I screw it up, think I'll start making that move the weekend :D
Can I get the new Ubuntu locally?
 
What sn3rd said:

sudo aptitude install vlc
sudo aptitude install ubuntu-restricted-extras
 
Achmat_Samsodien said:
Thanks guys, I'm not sure how but that 64bit version just runs on my PC off the CD only problem was the thing made too much noise.
This seems pretty easy I think I'll just back up all my data just in case I screw it up, think I'll start making that move the weekend :D
Can I get the new Ubuntu locally?
Click to expand...

Check the sticky thread in this forum section.
 
Achmat_Samsodien said:
Thanks guys, I'm not sure how but that 64bit version just runs on my PC off the CD only problem was the thing made too much noise.
This seems pretty easy I think I'll just back up all my data just in case I screw it up, think I'll start making that move the weekend :D
Can I get the new Ubuntu locally?
Click to expand...

For sure. Check out
http://ubuntu.mirror.ac.za/ubuntu-release/

1 x R12 local-only prepaid account from Axxess and a 6hr download (on 384K) will net you one of the install CD's. Alternatively pop over to a
Freedom Toaster with a blank and burn your own
 
flarkit said:
For sure. Check out
http://ubuntu.mirror.ac.za/ubuntu-release/

1 x R12 local-only prepaid account from Axxess and a 6hr download (on 384K) will net you one of the install CD's. Alternatively pop over to a
Freedom Toaster with a blank and burn your own
Click to expand...

We had a freedom toaster at our Campus library I should ask my bro if it's still in operation.

Topic derail: Anyone have any idea when the final release of Open Office 3.0 is?
I refuse to install that MS Office 2007 Muck! They've forced their blooming docx format on us and cause crap in the work environment.

*derail off*
 
Achmat_Samsodien said:
We had a freedom toaster at our Campus library I should ask my bro if it's still in operation.

Topic derail: Anyone have any idea when the final release of Open Office 3.0 is?
I refuse to install that MS Office 2007 Muck! They've forced their blooming docx format on us and cause crap in the work environment.

*derail off*
Click to expand...

Well, depending how out of the way it is, flarkit's suggestion of R12 local bandwidth might even be cheaper than getting a disc toasted. R12 for 1GB local, and you can download a full .iso and get some extra applications with that, vs fuel that may easily cost R30 - R50, and you just get the disc
 
sn3rd said:
Well, depending how out of the way it is, flarkit's suggestion of R12 local bandwidth might even be cheaper than getting a disc toasted. R12 for 1GB local, and you can download a full .iso and get some extra applications with that, vs fuel that may easily cost R30 - R50, and you just get the disc
Click to expand...

Well my bro is currrently studying at US so the toast aint an issue all I need is cd, hahahaha. Either way it's a win, I have that 20gig free local with Hellkom so it's all good. :D
 
With the Ubuntu 8.04 wubi installer you do not have to partition the hard drive - you will simply have a VM-like Ubuntu file on your NTFS.

And if the CPU is 64-bit, you can run XP and the 64-bit Ubuntu on it with the dual boot.
 
Achmat_Samsodien said:
as Windows annoys the crap out of me, too many issues not worth mentioning.
Click to expand...

if that's the reason why you wanna move to linux then im sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you're in for a bumpy ride my friend

it's an alternative, not necessarily an easier route . . .

good luck nevertheless;)
 
Lord Fubar said:
if that's the reason why you wanna move to linux then im sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you're in for a bumpy ride my friend

it's an alternative, not necessarily an easier route . . .

good luck nevertheless;)
Click to expand...

Well everything has their faults, fact is I hate Microsoft with a passion. Always have and always will, I know some issues surrounding Linux but hey no more BSOD and so on plus by learning linux I want to expand on it and maybe move to work environment where it's required. ;)
 
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