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Old 08-08-2006, 11:10 AM   #1
Zorko
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Question A few complete newbie questions


Hi, I am new to these forums, and to linux in general. I recently recived my disks for ubuntu and kubuntu through the post, and have realised I have no idea what do do with them.
1. Is there a complete newbies guide to making a dual boot install of linux on my PC? I have free space on either of my drives, I just don't know how to go about setting up dual boot.
2. I have both the x86 and 64 bit versions of both distros, and have a 64 bit processor. Would it be best to use the 64 bit version, or does it have the same instabilitys as the windows 64 bit.
3. What are the chances of me getting my wireless card to work, it is a little known brand called safecom.
4. Is there a guide on acutually using the distros that I have, and which in your opinion is better for someone who has lots of windows experience but no linux experience whatso ever. Help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Zorko
 
Old 08-08-2006, 11:22 AM   #2
rickh
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1. http://ubuntuforums.org/
2. I would recommend that, as a newbie, you install the 32-bit. Linux 64 is better than Windows 64, but it still has issues.
3. Tell us the exact model of your card. Do you know what chipset is inside? Do you know the name of the Windows driver? Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't.
4. Your best guide is here or at the ubuntu forums. You might want to study a bash shell command list. There are many available on the internet. OTOH, you don't really have to use the shell very often; it just makes things easier. Your Windows experience will only hurt you in the short run, but perserverence will bring success.
 
Old 08-08-2006, 11:24 AM   #3
ethics
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zorko
Hi, I am new to these forums, and to linux in general. I recently recived my disks for ubuntu and kubuntu through the post, and have realised I have no idea what do do with them.
1. Is there a complete newbies guide to making a dual boot install of linux on my PC? I have free space on either of my drives, I just don't know how to go about setting up dual boot.
2. I have both the x86 and 64 bit versions of both distros, and have a 64 bit processor. Would it be best to use the 64 bit version, or does it have the same instabilitys as the windows 64 bit.
3. What are the chances of me getting my wireless card to work, it is a little known brand called safecom.
4. Is there a guide on acutually using the distros that I have, and which in your opinion is better for someone who has lots of windows experience but no linux experience whatso ever. Help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Zorko
1. Check these forums, google, distro websites, there is a whole section of bookmarks to look though.
2. 64 Bit Linux is better than 64 bit windows, there are more things compiled for it, however some major apps still aren't such as flash plugins etc. Personally i have a 64bit, and get on absolutly fine with 32 bit distros (and i doubt hte performance boost is THAT great).
3. No idea, google/Linux HCL should help, specifically look at ndiswrapper
4. Check the distros site/google.

Be prepared to do a lot of reading on your journey into the Linux system
 
Old 08-08-2006, 12:16 PM   #4
weibullguy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zorko
1. Is there a complete newbies guide to making a dual boot install of linux on my PC? I have free space on either of my drives, I just don't know how to go about setting up dual boot.
2. I have both the x86 and 64 bit versions of both distros, and have a 64 bit processor. Would it be best to use the 64 bit version, or does it have the same instabilitys as the windows 64 bit.
3. What are the chances of me getting my wireless card to work, it is a little known brand called safecom.
4. Is there a guide on acutually using the distros that I have, and which in your opinion is better for someone who has lots of windows experience but no linux experience whatso ever. Help would be GREATLY appreciated.
1. Ditto what has been previously posted.
3. Ditto.
4. Ditto.

2. If glibc is compiled with multilib support before the rest of the distro is compiled, then a 64-bit distro will run 32-bit apps. I'm betting, but don't know for sure, the *buntu 64-bit versions will be backward compatible. I run 64-bit Gentoo with XGL/compiz using the (primarily) unstable branch from the portage tree. I would be really hard pressed to point out any issues associated with the OS itself. The only "issues" I've really run into are things like no 64-bit Flash plugin. If you feel comfortable with it and choose to go 64-bit, you may need to use some 32-bit applications.

I agree that you probably won't notice much of a difference. But, keep in mind that the 32-bit version will probably never be forward compatible.
 
  


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