Attempted to install Mandriva (Mandrake) 8.1 some time ago, but it has never been functional. Will expose my grief elsewhere on LQ.

First machine was an AT&T Unix PC6300 which was fine but had limited utility with several programs I wished to use; WordPerfect being one. Graduated to a variety of PCs using Intel chips and presently use a Dell Precision 650 Workstation with Win2K as OS. Must continue with Win2K because several photo manipulation programs -QImage particularly- function only on Windows.

Thought I would get back to Unix-Linux via purportedly excellent Mandriva. Bad mistake so far.

Welcome to LQ. As you are probably already aware, it is a great resource.

I see you are still using Win 2k and that there are some "must have" apps you use on it. What you would gain by adding Linux to the mix is the ability be online safely with an up to date operating system and be able to use your Win 2k as long as you wish.

I have used Mandrake/Mandriva versions from 6.x thru the current 2008 and they have made me curse sometimes but "some Linux knowledge" has solved the issues.

Hopefully you will be able to use Linux as you wish.