Hello everybody.
After years of being told how good Linux is and being very sick of Microsofts intrusive ways I want to start using Linux.
I have tried to install Ubuntu Dapper Drake and Mandriva.
Dapper Drake does its stuff and then just stops as does Mandriva.
I really want to try to run them from the C-D.
Please help me.
I have 512 memory AMD processor running at 1250 MHZ.
I want to get started but I'm no expert and I'm so used to Windows please feel free to give advice as if talking to a three year old.
An idiot guide for a real idiot would be best.
Thanks for your help.

Renoir

Maybe someone can help if you post detailed specs of your hardware and info on how far the installation progresses before it stops. Personally I think it could be a hardware related problem.

Which Madriva and Ubuntu CD's were you trying to run? Both distros have live CD's and both have CD's for installing. To confuse matters, you can ( not recommended ) install the live CD's.

If you are having problems installing, post some information about how much free space you have on your drive(s). By free space, I mean space not allocated to any partition, not unused space on your windbloze drive(s). Also post some information on how far the installation got.

If you are trying to install a multi-boot system, let us know. There are some things you should know before you install any distro.

This implies a live CD version. I would suggest Knoppix as a first try. It has very good hardware detection and is most likely going to work on first try. I have also got my wifi card to work with Knoppix. Knoppix makes a great recovery tool for recovering a failed system.

Ubuntu or Kubuntu or Mandriva are all good choices for your first hard drive install. Ubuntu has Gnome as the default desktop. Kubuntu is the same distro, with KDE as the default desktop. Mandriva you can install either desktop.

Ok how detailed?
Its a 80 gig H-D. This only has about 10% space left but I'm happy to delete some of the rubbish on it.
My graphics and sound are handled by the motherboard a gigabyte technology GA 7VM400M.
Processor AMD Athlon running at 1250 MHZ.
512 of memory.
DVD drive but no writer and Sony C-D writer.
Most componants are about 2 years old.
It runs XP pro with no problems and is set to boot from disc before H-D.
Only the one partition. Maybe thats it?
I couldn't even work out how to download the ISO of Koppix.
Have tried the newest versions of the other 2.

I think (won't bet the home on it) ubuntu 6.0.6.1 is a live/install cd (like Mepis).

Renoir
Can you tell us exactly what you downloaded ? Or did you get the cds some other way ?

Renoir,

You have plenty of system to run on. In order to install to HD, you need to create free space not allocated to any other system. Space on your windoze disk doesn't count. You can use a program like partition magic to shrinp windoze, or you can use the partiton tools that come with the distro of choice. You will need about 10 gig for a usefull install. This is enough space to allow you to install and try lots of the free software available. You can do it in a lot less. Second option would be add a second disk drive to your system and leave windoze alone...

I cannot understand the op, but I think the install for mandriva and unbuntu is stopping somewhere before the os is installed and useable. I am somehow led to by the op to believe a live CD has something to do with this, but I'm not sure what. Try this post:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...15#post2406615

to help answer some of your questions. On older hardware you might try an older version of the distro you select. SuSE 9.2 sounds like it might work on this hardware.

Thanks alot for all your help.
I'm going to put a 2nd hard drive on and see how that goes.
Also downloading Knoppix as I type. Will also get Suse.

that is quite correct. the "desktop" variant is anyway.

Thanks for confirming that lurko.
btw, it should have read 6.06.1 *stupid keyboard*
aka Dapper Drake

The latest ubuntu will run in ram. Doesn't matter whats on the hard drive IF you just want to play with it in live mode. Installation can be selected on the live desktop. Obviously you are not reaching this point.

Knoppix also does the live trick. Have to agree, it's hardware detection is amazing.

The reason for my previous question can be seen here;
http://ubuntu-releases.cs.umn.edu//6.06/
There are many ubuntu disks, hopefully you have desktop-i386

Can you answer the second part of reddazz's question? It may help someone troubleshoot.

First of all thanks so much for all your help.

Knoppix also refuses to work. It stated that it had found USB and enabled DMA for hard drive C-D 1 and 2 it then said

Cant find Knoppix filesystem, sorry dropping you to a (very limited) shell. Press restart to quit.
Adititonal built in commands available Cat Mount umont insmod rmmod ismod.

It then just displayed Knoppix#

When I install a new hard drive, should it be a slave, master or what?
How do I get the computer to boot to this rather than the present windows H-D.

Would more RAM help? Whats the minimum?

I got quite far on my very old laptop but its too slow to do anything with.

I WILL NOT LET THIS BEAT ME......................

"I WILL NOT LET THIS BEAT ME......................"

That's the attitude !

I'm a newbie myself, can't really help you much with the installation problem... I had many such myself till I tried SuSE 10.1 ...

Anyone correct me if I say wrong stuff!

About the harddrive... just make sure it's opposite of the other... not two masters / two slaves... Don't know knoppix very well but you ought to be able to select where you want to install it anyway.

512mb ram should be plenty.

You should be able to select what you want to boot in your boot loader. e.g you'll get an option: windows or linux

But first you need to make the thing install...
I'm not sure, the error you get, is that from running the LIVE knoppix cd or when you try to install it?

Oh and one thing more, when you get this working... you'll be ever grateful you went through all the fuss ;P

I think its live.
Where can I get sUse 10.1 from?
How do i install to the hard drive?
Whats a boot loader?

To be fair i did say I was stupid.

Got to love that newbie enthusiasm. I'm still one of you

One of the knoppix cheatcodes could work. Try disabling dma. Enter F2 when the cd first starts, then enter;

knoppix nodma

If that doesn't help one of the other cheatcodes may. There's a list at the knoppix site.

Edit: You posted while I was slowly typing. Might be best to first find out why linux doesn't like you're hardware.
Take a shot at what I just posted. Can't hurt.