Installing Linux

willis · 09-28-2001, 05:27 PM

I have 2 machines on Win 95 that I will be converting to Linux. Do you have to wipe them first? What is good version to start with? Can I get something free before paying for the latest and greatest?

dorward · 09-29-2001, 08:47 AM

You don't need to wipe Windows, but you do need some free partitions on your hard disk.

Your best bet is probably Mandrake 8.1, you can download it from http://www.mandrake.org/ but be warned - it is one and a half GIG for a full download! You might be better off heading over to http://www.cheepbytes.com/ (I think that's the URL) and getting a cheep copy.

ugge · 09-29-2001, 09:47 AM

If you don't want to keep windows on the machines then you only have to start the installation cd.
The installation program will take care of formatting and repartitioning your drives.

If you want to download a distribution then you can try e-smith, it's a distribution based on Red Hat and made to be easy to install and setup.
I haven't tried it my self but some of my friends like it. It is about 350 MB to download.

ugge · 09-29-2001, 09:47 AM

Forgot the link
http://www.e-smith.org/

dorward · 09-29-2001, 10:09 AM

Isn't esmith a dedicated file and internet sharing distro?

ugge · 09-30-2001, 12:22 PM

Might be, haven't studied it my self.