Hi,

I don't know ANYTHING about linux or any variations thereof. However, i would like to move into the world of Linux. I'm just not sure whether i've got what it takes.

I tried to install Debian Sarge as a dual boot with winxp and got it running but never got the graphics card to work. I only ever had the command prompt. Someone has just given me a copy of Mandriva Limited edition 2005. I'm wondering whether to try it.

I've got a Saphire Radeon x600xt 256mb PCIe (pci express) graphics card. Can linux cope with it? As i said i don't know how to do stuff from the command prompt in linux and i would like an easy life getting it installed.

Any thoughts?

Mepis has pretty good hardware detection and it's both a live and installer CD. So you can try it out, and if you like it, install it (all at once).

PCie or AGP doesn't have any difference.
The X server used by modern distributions has support for Radeon cards but only 2d support (no OpenGL, games)
There are some projects you can use in order to have 3d support (gatos project etc)

For more authoritive answers since i have a nvidia card, if you search the forums for radeon support you will get many results.
But i believe that it will work ok.

I don't know how mepis that aysiu mentioned works but you can try a Linux LiveCD distribution (like KNOPPIX,Kanotix) which
runs off the cd and doesn't mess with anything on your hard disk so you can be sure if it works.