Lost n00b
 

Okay, I'm pretty sure this is the proper place for my question...if not, just chuck it ^^;

Er, anyway, okay, hello, I guess by now you know I'm a dumb n00b, and anyway my problem is this: I've had Linux for a while, but I can't get online with it (I don't think it recognizes my modem, which is the one I used when I had Windows - but that's not something I thought of on my own, somebody said it someplace and it sounded about right) so I got this (totally legal) copy of Windows 95 Full and then I got the (also totally legal) Windows 98 Upgrade. So I put it in my computer, and it booted up, and everything started up normally, the way Linux usually does.

So I was just a teensy bit worried, because I'm used to installing my OS by putting it in the drive and letting the computer do the work. Anyway, I opened up the CDROM drive on my computer and looked through the files and of course nothing works on Linux because it was made for a Windows OS. So I was like, "NO!" Because it was making itself really complicated.

And I was feeling really stupid. So I just started randomly messing with my computer, which is the dumbest thing I could have possibly done, of course, but I was feeling very PMS-ish. All reason and good judgement just disappeared from my brain.

Now when I start up my computer it goes to this Gorm thing with a command line and I'm like, "STOP! NO! Boot up normally, please! Please, please, please!" Because I don't know how to deal with this kind of trauma.

Help?

hi asphyxia, first a few specifics, what distro are you trying install, what are your hardware specs. the folks here at LQ will be able to help you, but , you'll have to do some legwork and give some more info.

Yikes of course. Ahahahah I'm not a fool, really...er....

Okay! Right. I have Linux Redhat 9 right now, and I have a HP Pavilion 7855 and about the stuff inside my computer? Er. Uhm. Well. I once had a guy work on my computer and he...did stuff on it. And there was a new hard drive put in, I think. I...don't know what its name is. Oh gosh you must think I'm stupid. I'm going to ask him.

This is what it sounds like you have ran into. Do need more info though.

It sounds like you are booting to a bootloader. If so, just let it boot up. You can use the arrow keys to change what you want to boot too, windoze or Linux.

It also sounds like you have a winmodem, it's a software modem that really needs windows to work. Some will work with Linux but they are a pain in the but. I would recommend since you are new that you buy a external serial modem, not a USB one though. Much easier to get working.

Make sure you install windoze first then install Linux.

You may want to buy Mandrake 9.1 and install it. That is the most stable version and is used by a lot of people, me included:D , and you can get help when you need it.

PMS is rough ain't it? I'm a guy but I have seen what it can do.:scratch: :cry:

See if you can find out through windoze what kind of modem you have.

I was a bit concerned about your thread title and a mod closing the thread, but after I read your post, I think you are safe, for now anyway.

Back later

:D :D :D

WELCOME :newbie:

Do you think I can remove Linux completely and then put on Windows safely? Or is that like...bad?

And thank you by the way ^_^

Your posts are...a tad confusing.

Are you trying to remove RH9 completely, trying to dual boot, or trying to reconfigure your system to ultimately run RH9?

Uh.

YOU are confusing! I'm stupid! Stop...aaaugh...

No, I want RH on my computer, but I want Windows too! I can't decide between them so I want them both...waaahhh...

If you put windoze on, it will erase the bootloader.

Bootloader: A small program the will boot right after the BIOS that will let you boot multiple operating systems. It is usually on the MBR (Master Boot Record) but can be in other places.

All the bootloader is is a screen that will let you select windoze or Linux and then get that OS to boot.

Redhat is OK too. Since you have it, install that one. Redhat is popular here on this forum and you will get all the help you need.

Don't be suprised if you have to do some things more than once to get it right. I built the one I'm on and I still have to play 'trial and error' sometimes.

Hang in there.

Later

:D :D :D

See a new post during preview. Install windoze first, then Redhat. Redhat will install the bootloader and should add windoze to the menu for you. When you boot the first time you will get a screen that has this.

linux
linux-nonfb
failsafe
windows
floppy

Use the arrow keys to select which you want. It will boot automatically after usually 10 seconds to the one selected or you can hit return. If you change the selection, you will need to hit the return key.

That make sense?:scratch:

Sigh. I was so confused that I just reinstalled Red Hat 9 last night (I don't know how to install Windows first...stupid, stupid, stupid) and I'm starting from the beginning again. (Not to worry, I have nothing of value on my computer.) Okay, so my objective is to get Windows on my computer in addition to Red Hat 9. (Btw I am so so grateful for you people. Thank the Lord.)

If you want to put on Windoze to, you need to do that first. It will make it hard for a newbie to get Linux back ie the bootloader.

What kind of windoze do you have? Win 98, XP what ya got girl.

Since I'm asking questions, are you new to computers period or just not to computer savy? You are not stupid either. You found us. :rolleyes: :D Are you in Linux now or on a second machine?

Later

:D :D :D :scratch:

I'm on my dad's laptop (here in the kitchen) at the moment, conveniently located right by the phone jack. This is running on Windows XP. Upstairs is my own piece of dog poop computer, where I want to put on Windows 95 full and then 98 (upgrade).

Er...I'm actually not *bad* with computers. I can write HTML and CSS and...stuff...and I can usually make Windows do pretty much what I want it to do. I'm new-ish to Linux - I mean, I put it on my computer a while ago (maybe about a year?) but I never really experimented with it. (I was basically just using my computer to store my...sensitive media files...cough...cough...because I needed them in my room...)

And nowadays I'm kind of sick of going downstairs every time I want to get online and I'm also sick of using my dad's computer for my...sensitive media needs. Because I'd save the...sensitive media...to floppies (oh god the floppies) and bring them upstairs and put them all on my computer. And if you think about it, using your dad's computer for that kind of thing is a little gross.

Er. Anyway. So, you see, all I want to do is be able to get online with my own computer. (Is that too much to ask, God?) Now I want to rip out my hair too.

Boot off the windoze CD and walk through the install. Then upgrade to win 98. Run the thing for a day or two to make sure everything is OK, well as OK as windoze gets anyway, then install Redhat.

I don't know the exact process for Redhat. It shouldn't be that hard though. Here is a link to the page that has the documentation for Redhat.

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/

Download the one for x86 installation guide and do a bit of :study: . I would read most of the ones on that page, not all of them right now, but over a period of time.

Get your windows working first though.

I read your profile, I can barely remember being that age. Hang in there.

Later

:D :D :D :D

YAAAAY! I am so, so cool. Guess where I'm writing this at! Guess, guess! MY ROOM! Okay storytime!

Yesterday I went to Circuit City and I was like, "Where ya modems?" And the guy was like not saying anything. He just took me there. Anyway. Yes. Found the modems. Found ONE modem that would work via seial port and Linux but it was so ugly and poopy-looking (and now I know - never judge a modem by its outsides, people!)...anyway.

I bought it. (Fifty bucks! Not a steal when you're only sixteen years old without a job!) Ran home and upstairs, installed it, and it works like a dream! I got it all on my first try! And now I have like a ton of...sensitive materials in my...sensitive materials arsenal! (If anybody wants to know it'sa "Best Data" 56K v.92/V.44 external modem. PLUS call waiting, as if it wasn't sexy enough.)

Thank you all! Especially you, Dalek, since it was your idea. I'm giddy. I'm never leaving my room again, except to eliminate. And that's just like five feet down the hall.

I knew you could do it. You are not stupid. Explain

Stupid; unable to learn anything

Ignorance; has ability, but has not been taught, yet.

I'm still ingnorant when it comes to Linux, most of us are. You can never learn all there is about Linux or much of anything else.

You're 16, you'll learn Linux and a whole lot of everything else.

Now go open Kmail, Start thing then browse through until you find that Kmail and then set it up so you can get your e-mail. Post here if you need help. Someone with Redhat can help you get started.

I paid $40.00 for my external modem. You got a good deal for a brick and mortor shop. It will work in windoze to ya know.

Later

:D :D :D :D :D :D