Upgrade Kernel, distro, or switch distro?
 

Hey,
I just recently switched to linux from XP, I've done it off and on before, but things on windows have gotten worse(ad-ware, spyware, trojans, etc...) especially with my new cable internet, so this one is for the long haul.

I downloaded and installed Mandrake 9.2 and gladly havent had much problems. But since I'm going to use Linux exclusively, there are some things I want to fix. These are the two main things:

1. When I plug my usb speakers in, it completely freezes linux.
2. My game performance(UT2004demo and Medal Of Honor) is much worse than it was on XP while even running musicmatch, norton, and other programs at the same time.(And I have installed the newest NVIDIA drivers)

Now what would be the best way to fix these. I want to try either upgrading the kernel(I don't even know where to start doing this), upgrading my distro, or even switching distros. Or since this is linux couldn't I just download certain packages from the newer distro and install them?

And if it is any use, here are my specs:

Compaq Presario S6500NX
~2.1Ghz Athlon XP
512mb DDR ram
Geforce FX 5200(PNY)
Did use Microsoft Sound System 80, froze linux, swithed to my VIA motherboard sound ALSA sounded like shit, then installed a SBLive xgamer and use oss.

Re: Upgrade Kernel, distro, or switch distro?
 

Welcome to LQ!!!!!!!




Good move - Mirco$loth is for dummies. :}

Use usbmgr for usb devices. No games here - computer is only for work. :}

So get rid of Mandreck and use Slackware and learn Linux rather than Mandreck.
Use the LQ search button and enter ->
kernel compile guide
The one by DrOzz I like best. It works perfectly following his instructions. :}

That has no sound - it's the gas that sounds. ALSA works great for me!

Linux = choices.

Go with slackware and 2.6 kernel. I'll even send them to you if you want.
Slack is the fastest distro i know of, and the 2.6 kernel is just great. It'll run your games smoother than anything you've ever seen. The graphics are just great!

.stan

Thanks for your help guys. I downloaded and installed Slackware 9.2 and compiled and installed the new kernel. It took me a while but I got mostly everything working. There is just two things I need to know how to do.

1. The first 80gb of my hard drive are empty from where I had XP, what do I use to move and resize my partitions

2. Does the 2.6.4 kernel come with supermount support if not how do I install it?

The latest Slackware version is 9.1 -- and now let me welcome
you to Slack! Even though you may have some frustrating times
getting everything working to your tastes, you will soon be glad
that you've dumped Mirco$loth's eXperiment. With Slack you'll
learn Linux. Also, I'd like to recommend Fluxbox as your window
manager. When I first started I used KDE, but have switched to
Flux and find it a lot faster and more customizable than KDE. You
can search through this screenshot thread to get some ideas.
To change window managers, when you have logged in at the
prompt, issue the command $ xwmconfig and then you'll get a
screen where you can switch your wm, then you'll be returned
to the prompt and type $ startx - actually, any time you want
to try another wm, just hit Ctrl + Alt + Backspace and it will shut
down your x-server and send you to a prompt.

(1) you can use cfdisk to do anything you want to partitions -
issue the command $ man cfdisk and read up on it.
(2) supermount has been around so I'd assume you can use
it though I've had no personal experience with it or 2.6.x.

For information that you don't know, it's always best to use the
search function here at LQ, and also - always remember -
Google is your friend! For Linux specific searches use ->
http://www.google.com/linux

Wow, dumping Windoze was a good, bold move! Keep your
patience, do your homework before you post, and the guys
here will help you run Slack like you always wished that evil
os would run!

Ah, my friend, I must disagree with you there. If you want pure speed and gaming heaven, use Gentoo. They have specific kernels designed for better gaming performance and specific processor types. However, it's very hard to setup, and you might want to hold off on it either until you're a linux guru or they come up with an automated installer. For now, Slackware is the best choice for you. It's the best distro out there, the second fastest. Gentoo is the fastest and second best.

Hell I'll take that copy of Slackware.
SGT JUHL, DAVID L.
A CO STB SPT 4ID
APO AE 09378
and some mail too... hehe.. Junk mail is welcome. A letter is a letter...

Dave

Not sure if that is a great idea to post your address. It gives the ability of nearly everyone on earth to physically mail you something. LQ turns up in a lot of Google linux searches.

Just an FYI, you are welcome to leave it, but I'd personally remove it.

Good luck over there!

Cool

I just mailed you a tire postage due on delivery.. enjoy !! :)

http://www.vertical-visions.com/_tem...id/index2.html

[foghorn leghorn] I say, I say, it's a joke son... [/foghorn]

I am not really worried about junk mail cause it is mail none the less. I havent received even a Xmas card from my family yet. And plus it aint like you can like come to my door.

"Not sure if that is a great idea to post your address. It gives the ability of nearly everyone on earth to physically mail you something. LQ turns up in a lot of Google linux searches.

Just an FYI, you are welcome to leave it, but I'd personally remove it.

Good luck over there!"

In short I really don't care. MAIL is MAIL LOL


"I just mailed you a tire postage due on delivery.. enjoy !! " -- COOL I'll let you know if I get it. Just to let you know Army post offices dont have services like this. So it will be most likely RETURNED to you. Did you fill out the customs slip properly? But a trie would have some use here. YOu need to be creative here...