Is there a 'Linux' operating system that simply installs!!??
i downloaded Mepis that is supposedly a simple "point and click" installation that supposedly instructs you all the way through. it boots then i type 'Mepis' which is supposedly its default installation. again, it boots but then i get this screen that says "Out of Range" at the top and "are settings correct" , apparently refering to color, at the bottom! I really need "Linux for Dummies" if one exsists! I cant even tell it that settings are correct!

I recently installed the newest Mepis. I do not remember having to type "mepis" to begin an install or boot the live cd.

Set your bios to boot from cdrom first. Boot up the cd and the live cd should fire up on its own with perhaps an "enter" from you.

Login as root and make sure you find out what password to use. I think its root or toor.

The install icon will be on the desktop.

The only thing that could cause trouble is unrecognised hardware.

Im already configured to boot from cdrom first. Im not having a problem booting. Im having a problem installing! You mentioned the "install icon" being on the desktop... WHAT DESKTOP??!! THATS the problem im having!! I cant get by the "root" or "console" or whatever the heck 'Linux' calls it, to get to a DESKTOP! But this is due to my own ignorence. I DO NOT KNOW ANY 'LINUX COMMANDS'! I KNOW THAT INSTALLING FROM THE CD TO THE HARD DRIVE.....GETTING TO THE DESKTOP IN ORDER TO EVALUATE THIS SYSTEM IS JUST A COUPLE OF PUNCHES TO THE KEYBOARD AWAY! THEREIN LYES MY PROBLEM! I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO ENTER AT THE COMMAND PROMPT IN ORDER TO GET TO THE FRICKEN DESKTOP!

I happen to think Mepis is just the thing for new (linux) users - especially if they want all the "bells and whistles". DVD playback, playing audio ...

I put it on for my lady for just that reason. If you don't get an answer bafore, check back in 5-6 hours. I'll check out the boot on my home system.

Will Do! Thanks man!

O.K., I'm at a loss.
Boot the CD, and it comes up to a boot screen with several options - on mine it defaults to "boot 2.6" with a 30 second time-out.
Touching nothing, it auto boots, auto-senses the screen (17" LCD on this box), and scrolls all the setup messages. Takes a while BTW - it *is* running everything off the CD after all.

Pops a GUI logon screen with 2 predefined userids listed (with icons) on the left. Enter username and password of "demo" (no quotes), and it logs on - note this is the first time you need to hit the keyboard.

Comes up with KMix active - minimize or close that as you wish. Have a play around - check your hard sisk partitions, check the web, whatever. Click the "INSTALL ME" icon if you want to proceed that way, else just shut it down, no harm done..

SO .....
where in this does yours differ randell6564 - please be as specific as possible.

well, lets see. I insert cd, a nice blue screen appears that reads "Mepis Linux" and has the little penguin in the top left corner, ( I swear hes taunting me!! ) it seems that this first screen offers some options, "How to boot" or " for default boot just wait". "Push F2 for more options". I dont touch anything at this point and it begins the 'Default boot'. everything goes fine. I can see it loading, The last thing it says is "starting K desktop manager" Then "Linux Login" . At this point the screen goes black for a couple of seconds and then a box pops up that says "OUT OF RANGE" and has a bar with red, green and blue on it, and at the bottom of the box, it reads, "PC DISPLAY SETTINGS CORRECT?" but wont let me enter yes or no! then screen goes black and never appears again! im thinking that the box is comeing from my monitor but I dont really know what it is reffering to or how to correct it. I know how to set the display settings once im at the desktop, BUT I CANT GET TO THE DESKTOP!!! HHEEELLPP!!

iM GONNA LOOK AT THE BIOS, BUT I DONT THINK IT GIVES DISPLAY OPTIONS.

Odd - doesn't sound like a standard Mepis disk. What ISO did you download ???.

'Mepis2003.10.cd1. There is actually two ISOs, CD1 and CD2. I havent messed with cd2 yet because of current issue. IM sure that when cd2 is required, I would be prompted to insert it.

I downloded from mepis sight. actually from an http mirror through link at mepis page. all this through Linux/distributions page

Well there's your problem - that is older than dirt.
Try getting the SimplyMEPIS-3.3.1-1.iso; you'll like that much better, and only 1 CD.

The SimplyMEPIS-3.3.1-1.iso.md5sum is a checksum file to validate the copy of the iso is not corrupt if you wish to check it. Quick search on LQ will show you how.

Well alright!
this sight is finally showing some results! Thanks man! Im gonna get that *$$**$$!!**er right now!
Thanks for the replys!

You will probably be seeing my name quite a bit around here. Ive got a couple of extra PC's that Ive built and im really into trying out different software. not worried about messing things up in other words. (can always dump, reformat and try again!) Now if only I would start reading the directions! Would simplify things im sure!