Okay, I've downloaded everything that has a live CD and I've installed (or tried) Debian (wouldn't install), Suse (wouldn't install), Mandrake (wouldn't install), Knoppix live, DSL, Mepis, Beatrix and a few others. I have Ubuntu installed right now and so far I like it very very much. Ubuntu is Gnome and Knoppix and Mepis is KDE correct? If so I like the Gnome far more.

Anyway, this is what I'd like to know. I use my computer for few things and only really need, Gimp, Limewire, Openoffice, an FTP and a few other things so.

1) What's a small basic distro that's Gnome, has Get-Apt and is fairly easy to install? I want to try Debian but it doesn't install, any other options?

2) What's the fastest distro out there? I've seen claims some are fast booting, any truth to that?

Lastly, have any of you used BeatrIX? Looked nice for me, scaled down Ubuntu. Does it use the same repository?

I'm mainly looking to change because Ubuntu keeps freezing and shutting down without warning! That SUCKS!

Thanks a lot for any help,
Adam

PS Any system more stable for a Linus OS then another?

"I'm mainly looking to change because Ubuntu keeps freezing and shutting down without warning! That SUCKS!"

Have you posted on the Ubuntu User list about this??

Mandrake wouldn't install???

What spec is the machine???

BeatrIX seems to be what you ask for, but you have alreay tried it so maybe you want more. I find it is best installed to memory, there seems to ba some periodic hesitation when installed to hard drive (dma was on). There are some light gentoo builds around that are fast (navynos, jollix) and slackware (jolinux, buffalo, even vector).

If you want fast booting, try a *bsd with a light window manager and you will be shocked.

I think you might have a hw problem if you are not able to install a bunch of distros and ubuntu is crashing.

I'm starting to agree I may have a HW issue although the puter has run stable before. I don't really get it but the screen has been going blank and restarting a few times a day. I'm going to give BeatrIX a shot and I'll try the others you've mentioned. I just don't want to overlook something that could be good while I'm going through the trouble of istalling new stuff and starting over anyway.

I don't get what you're saying about Beatrix though? You're saying not to load in onto the HD? The other distros you mentioned, do any have apt-get?

Thanks a lot,
Adam

Definitely sounds like an issue with the hardware or power.
Have a look at your cooling, your power supply and DIMMs. Also check the stability of your power mains.