LinuxQuestions.org
Download your favorite Linux distribution at LQ ISO.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Newbie
User Name
Password
Linux - Newbie This Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux.
Just starting out and have a question? If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place!

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 04-07-2011, 05:44 PM   #1
iceee
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Apr 2011
Posts: 13

Rep: Reputation: 0
from windows to linux ( don't know where to start )


i'm a windows user i want to start using linux ... so i do not know where to start ...
first of all i have an Esprimo Mobile V6545 does linux fits it ?
and i need help with choosing a distro ( i'm a computer and communications engineering student ) i need a distro that helps me to learn linux from A to Z
any idea ?
thanks
 
Old 04-07-2011, 05:55 PM   #2
TobiSGD
Moderator
 
Registered: Dec 2009
Location: Germany
Distribution: Whatever fits the task best
Posts: 17,148
Blog Entries: 2

Rep: Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886
If you want to learn Linux from A-Z I would recommend Slackware, Arch or Gentoo. If you gained further knowledge you can also try an install of Linux from Scratch.
You have several options to install Linux on your machine:
1. Wipe Windows from your harddisk and install Linux.
2. Repartition your harddisk to make free space for a Linux install.
3. Install Linux to a flash-disk.
4. Install Linux into a virtual machine.
5. Start Linux from a live-medium.
 
1 members found this post helpful.
Old 04-07-2011, 05:59 PM   #3
iceee
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Apr 2011
Posts: 13

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
thank you man ...
i have one more question do i need to download any driver before ?
 
Old 04-07-2011, 06:06 PM   #4
TobiSGD
Moderator
 
Registered: Dec 2009
Location: Germany
Distribution: Whatever fits the task best
Posts: 17,148
Blog Entries: 2

Rep: Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886
Linux comes with almost all drivers you need by default, if you don't have really exotic hardware. The only choice you have to make is if you want to use the free graphics driver that comes with the OS or the proprietary driver from ATI/AMD.
It also may be possible that you have to download and install a proprietary driver/firmware for your WLAN adapter, depending on the chipset it uses.
 
1 members found this post helpful.
Old 04-07-2011, 06:12 PM   #5
iceee
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Apr 2011
Posts: 13

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
Those are my networking spec :

Networking features: Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless LAN, Bluetooth
Networking type: Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Ethernet
Networking manufacturer: Realtek RTL8111C
Modem chip: MDC1.5
Wireless technology: IEEE 802.11a/g/n
Networking speed: 10/100/1000 MBit/s
Wireless LAN type: Atheros b/g 6303A
Modem type: V.92
Modem speed: 56 Kbit/s
Bluetooth:
Cabling technology: 10/100/1000 Base-TX
Bluetooth version: 2.0+EDR

am i ok ? or i have to make some downloads ?
thanks again !
 
Old 04-07-2011, 06:14 PM   #6
chrism01
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney
Distribution: Rocky 9.2
Posts: 18,355

Rep: Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751Reputation: 2751
Try any of the top 10 or so at www.distrowatch.com.
As mentioned above, many distros come with a Live-CD version ie one that runs purely off the CD/DVD. This allows you to try before installing. Most people go through a few distros before settling on one.
The most popular for people who like a distro nearest to the MS-Win experience seem to favour Ubuntu or Xubuntu or Mint, but see the many many threads on this qn.

Also, read this http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm.

Here's a good tutorial http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

Note that the major distros usually have lots of online docs/forums; just google the name.

Welcome to LQ
 
1 members found this post helpful.
Old 04-07-2011, 06:15 PM   #7
TobiSGD
Moderator
 
Registered: Dec 2009
Location: Germany
Distribution: Whatever fits the task best
Posts: 17,148
Blog Entries: 2

Rep: Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886
With your hardware you shouldn't have any problems. Should pretty well work out of the box.
 
1 members found this post helpful.
Old 04-07-2011, 06:25 PM   #8
Noway2
Senior Member
 
Registered: Jul 2007
Distribution: Gentoo
Posts: 2,125

Rep: Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781
Here is a link to a classic document titled, Linux is Not Windows. If you are new to Linux, coming from the Windows world it will give you a little perspective on some of the differences and what to expect.
 
1 members found this post helpful.
Old 04-07-2011, 06:30 PM   #9
iceee
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Apr 2011
Posts: 13

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
what do u think about backtrack 4?
is it a good place to start ?
 
Old 04-07-2011, 06:41 PM   #10
TobiSGD
Moderator
 
Registered: Dec 2009
Location: Germany
Distribution: Whatever fits the task best
Posts: 17,148
Blog Entries: 2

Rep: Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886
Backtrack is a specialized distro for security testing. It is not meant as a desktop system. I would definitely not use it as an entry-point to the Linux world.
 
Old 04-08-2011, 05:08 AM   #11
iceee
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Apr 2011
Posts: 13

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
I installed Slackware on a virtual machine (vmware) .
i have some trouble with my internet conex .
wireless adapter, graphic card, camera, Bluetooth are not available
while using virtual machine those driver are stoped but on windows everything is fine
how can i fix this problem ? does formatting my laptop and installing linux from zero will fix this problem ?
any ideas ?
 
Old 04-08-2011, 10:14 AM   #12
Noway2
Senior Member
 
Registered: Jul 2007
Distribution: Gentoo
Posts: 2,125

Rep: Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781Reputation: 781
In order to get wireless started on Slackware, you will need a program like wicd. It is available as part of the software in the down loadable ISO images. Section N, I believe off hand. Here is a link to a section of an excellent Slackware tutorial by one of our LQ members, 2handband. Search for 'wicd' on the page, which is in the getting online section.

Also, I personally think you made an excellent choice with Slackware. It may have a slightly steeper learning curve than some of the other distributions, but you will gain a lot of knowledge and experience that will really pay off in increased understanding and capability.
 
Old 04-08-2011, 11:17 AM   #13
Mr. Alex
Senior Member
 
Registered: May 2010
Distribution: No more Linux. Done with it.
Posts: 1,238

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by iceee View Post
i'm a windows user i want to start using linux ... so i do not know where to start ...
first of all i have an Esprimo Mobile V6545 does linux fits it ?
and i need help with choosing a distro ( i'm a computer and communications engineering student ) i need a distro that helps me to learn linux from A to Z
any idea ?
There's this awesome tutorial for Linux beginners: http://www.funtoo.org/en/articles/linux/lpi/1/
Look for all the parts of it, it's really good.
 
Old 04-08-2011, 11:50 AM   #14
MTK358
LQ 5k Club
 
Registered: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,443
Blog Entries: 3

Rep: Reputation: 723Reputation: 723Reputation: 723Reputation: 723Reputation: 723Reputation: 723Reputation: 723
http://linuxcommand.org/
 
Old 04-10-2011, 01:40 AM   #15
TobiSGD
Moderator
 
Registered: Dec 2009
Location: Germany
Distribution: Whatever fits the task best
Posts: 17,148
Blog Entries: 2

Rep: Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886
Quote:
Originally Posted by iceee View Post
I installed Slackware on a virtual machine (vmware) .
i have some trouble with my internet conex .
wireless adapter, graphic card, camera, Bluetooth are not available
while using virtual machine those driver are stoped but on windows everything is fine
how can i fix this problem ? does formatting my laptop and installing linux from zero will fix this problem ?
any ideas ?
As the name says, a VM is emulating a complete PC, including network and videocard. You don't need to install drivers for your wireless card, camera or Bluetooth, the VM simply can't see it. Also you have to install graphics drivers for your emulated video card, not your real one.

By the way, Slackware is an excellent choice to learn more about Linux. I would give a native install a try to see if your hardware is supported.
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Installation don start wendle Linux - Newbie 3 05-14-2010 10:59 PM
LXer: “Windows tax?” I Don’t Think So… LXer Syndicated Linux News 0 03-23-2008 08:00 AM
Grafpup don´t Start! etrabalho Grafpup 0 11-19-2007 07:24 PM
How to chown -R don.lab * for don.users Hans Zilles Linux - Newbie 3 11-15-2005 07:53 AM
Suse dont´t boot X; don´t ask for root passwd, YAST don´t work... carrie Linux - Newbie 4 10-08-2004 07:46 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Newbie

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:38 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration