hopefully i can help.
[assuming microsoft windows]
1. download your distro of choice (as suggested above select a live-cd -- or if your pc supports it -- a live-usb distro)

1.a. -optional. use an md5sum program and check against this:
sometimes large downloads get interrupted and this checksum guarentees it is a valid iso. this will minimize problems while installing.

2. you seem to have selected puppy so you need to burn the downloaded iso to a cd (i'm not sure what burning software your using but make sure you are burning it as an iso. if the finished cd has 1 file in it that ends in *.iso you did it wrong; it should have many files and directories on it.).
from the puppy wiki: http://puppylinux.org/wikka/LiveDVD 3. reboot the computer and enter the bios (each computer manufacturer has a different way to do this -- sometimes esc, f10, f12, ctrl-s, del, ...) and make sure the pc will boot from the cdrom or usb first. save and restart.

4. follow instructions on the puppy linux installer. (every operating system has there own method for installing but they are all pretty much intuitive).


when you get your system up and running you can post questions about how to install software like media players (if one isnt installed by default) and how to enable playback of popular codecs...
good luck,

Hi,

As I said 'Russian Roulette' anyone?

Yes, continue to edit to validate your post. I can see omissions or edit to clarify but to justify?

Enough drifting for me with you. Not helpful to the OP.

As I stated before continue to go as you wish. It's your machine but to insure valid copies then a 'hash' check should be performed by others. Especially those who wish to get to where they want without the worry of not having the validity or worry of creating those damn coasters.

Instead of considering it drifting, actually read my post before responding to it. You're disarming your downloads with little tweezers all day and night.
And compared to saying "check your download md5sum" and then falling through a trapdoor on the way to trying to read the OP's simple facts and questions, I provided very good assistance and was in the middle of possibly helping more when you called every post I've made in this thread "drifting" and "uninformative".
Why don't you "drift" to guru with entire threads full of "Check the md5sum ... I don't understand a word you're saying." I don't care if you care about the guru ranking or not. It's ridiculous.

There is a plethora of useful information regarding creation of a bootable CD from an ISO image on the LQ ISO tutorial. Even talks about that Windows OS stuff.
--- rod.

If you want to, onebuck, go ahead and check the md5sum and then burn the CD as a data file and use it as a coaster.

Hi,

Time to check a 'md5sum' is minimal as compared to create/burn of a image. The check can be a one liner via the 'cli' or even simple scripting to check multiple images. Yes, detail is important whenever you are working with any system.

If you think things were that simple then holistically follow up with useful information instead of bantering with me.

As I said before, I bit. I've jumped off the hook now.
You keep bring up poor arguments! If you want to continue to debate then PM me.

It does no one any good to continue here other than to show how stupid things can be with communications with you.

I never wrote that checking the sums was a bad idea. I said it wouldn't be absolutely necessary. I use md5sum and sha1sum, also.
My point is, apparently you wouldn't mind checking the sum and then making a coaster.

Onebuck, how is terrifying the OP with this dander about md5 and checksums at all helping him along to a successful linux experience?? In this day and age, with 5 minute downloads, I would think that a corrupt file is NOT the largest of his concerns...Honestly, how many pc's have you had to bury due to - oh my gosh! - invalid checksums!!

You should maybe argue this point in another forum, or perhaps in your front yard with some random dogwalkers who pass by your house...

Sheesh!

Having to assume too much about what exactly the OP did, when and why can lead to assumptions that are incorrect. thus we risk fishing in muddy waters for too long a time without making any significant progress because important information was not explicitly or not stated at all.

the information given is ambiguous. it's no use going into detail here but it is, from an objective perspective. i, unlike you, seem to lack the level of empathy and/or experience to understand the OP from the get go. i was not trying to pick on him. now let's get on with the problem... :::

Such a good point, and even if the checksum is invalid if you have a CD-RW...And guess what!? You could just download another imiage in 5 minutes and re-write. What we really should be addressing is what distro would be easiest to test.

To burn CDs just use any program that burns iso files. Alcohol 120% (though once the trial is over you can't use it), or:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-bes...-cddvd-burner/

That's all for windows, don't worry about MD5 just burn the iso to a disc. If your on linux I always say to use K3B, same concept.

Really just download a distribution and test it out, if the computer can run 2000 it should be able to run a lot of modern stuff. I would suggest a low end WM (window manager). Just play around untill you find something that runs fast and smooth. Live CDs are always a good way to go.

With reference to some of the bickering going on here:

It's OK to disagree on the best way to solve a problem.

It's not OK to be taking pot shots at individuals. If you think someone is giving bad advice, you can simply state WHY you think something is not a good idea, and add what you think the right answer is. (preferably, with some kind of reference.)

So please stop the personal bickering and keep this on topic.

I actually happened to ask a question that would lead to me helping more if I could concerning the md5sum. Read my posts before you take up 50 lines a post arguing about something.
If someone is arguing whether or not md5sums/sha1sums/etc. are worth checking, it isn't me. As far as responding with a better answer, I was waiting for more information, also ... I just wasn't waiting for a translation.
But ... very many programs/libraries/etc. don't come with an md5sum or sha1sum or anything else. If you think the people that release them without md5sums or sha1sums or sha256sums or anything else to check are idiots, don't use their software ... there's a lot of it.
As far as the md5sum of the .iso, I read a little more about it. As far as I know, all you have to do is download the .iso and the md5sum.txt and use
and compare the output of that command with the content of the md5sum.txt file. They should be the same. I didn't know anything about the nullriver md5sum program, is all. I read a little, and looked at the Puppy Linux site.
Beyond this (which for all the arguing happening, no one posted), either everyone needs more information or a better description of what you're trying to say.
Since I understood what you were trying to say, all I can tell you is I don't know about that exact software, and what you have to do to make sure you burn it properly. If you had some sort of problem and/or there are options, please post them.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=f&oq=&aqi=g10

a little google can go a long ways. though in all honesty today you really don't need to check md5, just burn the image. If you have record now or whatever and it'll burn the image you downloaded then do so. Half the time you don't need to check md5 as it's really not your largest concern, it never has been for me and I've been perfectly fine. but either way if you take that google search and start from top and work your way down i'm pretty sure a link will cover md5 somewhere.

ImgBurn is a good reliable .iso burner for Windows, it's free as well.
http://www.imgburn.com/

Hi,
Not everyone has download access to just download at will. Some have access that restrict the bandwidth along with limits. If you feel it's so shocking then so be it. As far as I'm concerned I will continue to suggest when it is warranted. How is suggesting the check terrifying?

Remember some members don't have access as you seem to have. Yes, the validity of a ISO image is important. If you feel as some others do to ignore the fact that you do sometimes get corrupted copies and continue then have problems. Either by accident or intentional you should verify to insure that things are good.

You smart a$$ remark to the number of of machines harmed is not warranted. But I'll say that I do verify and have found problems be it form the transfer or media problems.

As I said before 'Russian Roulette' anyone. It yours to take chances with.

For your 'You should maybe argue this point in another forum, or perhaps in your front yard with some random dogwalkers who pass by your house...' statement. Thankfully your not the mod and I do continue to post relevant information to the appropriate forum in a helpful manner.

My question back to you is. How was your post constructive to the OP?

I'm out in the country and if someone walks on my property without permission then it's good to be aware of the posting.

'NO TRESPASSING'

That part I do control! I should have just ignored your inane post.