Linux Newbie!

SnowMonkey · Post by **SnowMonkey** » 23 Apr 2003, 22:01

Ok here is the deal I wanna install a copy of Linux mandrake onto my machine! I know zip about linux <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_smile.gif"> , but I wanna learn! I got as far as booting up from a stiffy that it creates for me. What next? <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_confused.gif">
 It does´nt seem to pick up my HDD!
 Does Linux work in NTFS format, or Fat32? <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_confused.gif">
 
 Cheers
 PS Windows sux! <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif">

hooloovoo · Post by **hooloovoo** » 24 Apr 2003, 02:56

I just did it yesterday!
 I´m also a first-timer and I must admit it was not a pleasant experience compared to the straightforward installation of Windows -
 seriously.
 i think this is one of the main reasons why Linux hasn´t gone mainstream - Even with a very nice looking GUI, I don´t think its interface is as intuitive as Windows´. I hope it will become as user-friendly as Windows in the future.
 
 Linux uses ext3 disk format and so you won´t be able to access files stored on your Windows partition from Linux and vice versa.
 
 What do you mean when you say: "It does´nt seem to pick up my HDD!" ?
 Does it even get into the installation program?
 
 If you are going to install Linux alongside Windows on the same drive, the newer Mandrake Linux Installation programs are able to create and resize partitions for you - without destroying your current data (but this is dangerous and so you should backup your files before).

gareth007 · Post by **gareth007** » 24 Apr 2003, 08:20

You can mount windows partitions under linux, unless they are dynamic partitions. You can mount fat32 as read and write and ntfs as just plain read, there is a way to mount ntfs as write as well, but thats a bit dodgy [ Edited by gareth007 On Date April 24, 2003 ]

skunkymunky · Post by **skunkymunky** » 24 Apr 2003, 08:54

anyone know where i can get a linux cd i alwayz here its free but where and i ain´t down with downloading 1.25 gb iso.

gareth007 · Post by **gareth007** » 24 Apr 2003, 09:05

You can get any distribution of linux on cd from <a href="http://www.linuxwarehouse.co.za/" target="_blank">http://www.linuxwarehouse.co.za/</a>

skunkymunky · Post by **skunkymunky** » 24 Apr 2003, 11:30

free plz all i see is prices on tht i just wanna try linux out i´m sick of windows need some new i say again free.

Post by **Synkronos** » 24 Apr 2003, 11:38

DAMN! See what you mean man. I thought these were supposed to be free? And that is more that just the cost of cutting a CD, or a CDWriter dedicated to burning, or a large HDD to store the versions on. That steep! Sheesh!

SnowMonkey · Post by **SnowMonkey** » 24 Apr 2003, 12:03

OK lets try agian can I install linux on my second partion that is NTFS formatted?
 Do I have to delete everything and format it into some other filing format? <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_confused.gif">

Post by **Synkronos** » 24 Apr 2003, 12:07

You will need to create a linux partition on your machine. Use partition magic or something, but no, it won´t install on an NTFS volume without a reformat. Partition magic will let you create and format a new partition created out of free space tho.

SnowMonkey · Post by **SnowMonkey** » 24 Apr 2003, 12:32

OK alls good. This program is it a 3d party program or does it come with the linux install CD? Maybe the question I should be asking is can I do the above with just a linux CD?
 
 Thanks

Post by **Synkronos** » 24 Apr 2003, 12:37

lol! No, Partition Magic is third party. So no, you can´t just do it with the linux disks, unless you don´t mind losing what is on the drive already. Most OSes come with an fdisk style proggy, which will let you repartition, but loses all data on the partitioned drive.

SnowMonkey · Post by **SnowMonkey** » 24 Apr 2003, 12:43

Ok looks like I gonna be formating a HDD soon.
 I have a old 2gig lying around at home sumwhere. Will linux fit on to a 2gig HDD?
 Oh just wondering do you use linux? What can you do wit it? <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_eek.gif">

Post by **Synkronos** » 24 Apr 2003, 12:54

Nah, I don´t use linux <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_razz.gif"> I am a WinDoze user. My flatmate is a hardcore Linuxhead tho.
 
 You can make a linux install that is tiny. I think you can cut linux down to fit on a stiffy, but with no support obviously <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_razz.gif"> The various distros have varying amount of customizability, but it should definitely fit on a 2gig

hooloovoo · Post by **hooloovoo** » 24 Apr 2003, 19:23

I installed linux onto a clean 2gig drive.
 The Mandrake Linux installer partitioned my drive into 3 partitions which it apparently needs:
 1) Main partition (where apps are installed)
 2) Swap partition (similar to a swap file - I think [please correct me if I am wrong])
 3) The user partition in which separate users on the machine will store their personal files
 
 There is an option in the partition program that during the installion that automatically sets the size of these separate partitions.
 The problem is that the sizes that it set for my 2 gig drive only gave the 1st partition 1Gb.
 This was not enough to install all the apps I wanted to fiddle with (eg. OpenOffice, games etc.)
 So I reinstalled and set the main partition to be 1.4Gb. (I left the swap parition as 210Mb and the remainder as the user partition)
 This was just enough to install the apps i wanted (minus the KDE desktop - the GNOME desktop environment is adequete for me, a newbie)
 
 Does anyone know how to make Linux install additional apps onto the 3rd partition? [ Edited by hooloovoo On Date April 24, 2003 ]

snipeers · Post by **snipeers** » 25 Apr 2003, 13:43

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>
 On 2003-04-24 08:54, skunkymunky wrote:
 anyone know where i can get a linux cd i alwayz here its free but where and i ain´t down with downloading 1.25 gb iso.
 </BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 dunno about you fellas but afaik, .net mag is going to include one Linux distro per month in there cover discs starting next month (the sooner the better) - and that´s according to Georgi.
 Cool Eh!

v1c · Post by **v1c** » 25 Apr 2003, 16:01

A couple months ago they included a version of Corel Linux but the problem was they didnt include the usual load of software they normally do, I think it was because linux took up to much space. If so Id rather have tons of software than 1 big linux on the CD.
 
 If they do add Linux which one will it be ? Slackware, Redhat ? and what version, hopefully the latest release ?
 
 v1c

Adelante · Post by **Adelante** » 05 May 2003, 20:26

they cant include either slackware or red hat, they both very big distro´s, corel linux is rubbish, i wouldnt even let it smell me pc, i dont load junk on my system. but if they were looking to include a linux distro on a cd, slackware 9.0 would be my choice