I hate to be so cliche, but im finding this to be extremely fustrating. Basically, I want to install Linux on my laptop for both the experience and to see what all the "hype" is about in terms of linux being so superior to windows.

The problem is there are so many freaking distro's with names that are completely ambigious. I have no idea what the hell im doing, so please, help me!

My background is I tried to use KNOPPIX like a year ago, but it couldnt detect my Motorola Cable Modem, and I for the life of my couldn't figure it out, so I just quit. lol.

Ok so I pretty much need a distro that:

-Can set up a dual boot easily, so worst comes to worst I can go back to windows

-Has an easy drive partion system

-Supports a wireless modem (DLINK 524)

-Supports a cable modem (Motorolla SB4100)

-Is more GUI based than console based, because i'm part of a generaiton that skipped DOS for God's sake!

-Generally detects hardware like my wireless mouse out of the box, because if everything runs straight from the box I have a feeling i'll stick with it this time if I don't get bogged down in hardware setup

-Isn't some Windows clone. I want to have a geniune Linux experience, I see no benefit in leaving windows to come to windows-wannabe-OS

Thanks guys. Again, apologies for asking whats probably been asked a million times before me.

Hi KirbyFan,

First up, you might want to read this:

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

Please take the time to read this article. It explains a lot of the philosophical and physical differences between Windows and Linux.
LDC to the rescue:

http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

If you had tried to connect to that modem via Ethernet, then you shouldn't have had many problems as Linux supports lots of network cards. If you don't have a network card, they're very cheap now (at least they are here!).

There's nothing wrong with using the command line and you can do things very quickly. I think that it's inevitable that you'll have to use it at some point.

Come to think of it, I WAS using a USB connection. I finally invested in a network card though to get my wireless router working

Thats a good thing, no?

I suggest Ubuntu. This distro tends to have good hardware detection, and quite newbie friendly. As for your cable modem, as Nylex said, use Ethernet rather than USB - it should just work. When installing Ubuntu, make sure that your modem is plugged in via ethernet, it should save you some headaches.

Most things in Ubuntu can be achieved using GUI tools. However, you will find that sometimes it is much easier to just do it in a terminal window. 1 simple command cut and pasted compared to 40000 mouse clicks. Don't underestimate the terminal - it is much more powerful than DOS ever was.

--Ian

You will want to try a live version first to see if your computer will run the OS. Like you said, there are many distros, so head over to distrowatch.com and read through their descriptions. And then start trying different ones.