Download Linux to a brand new HDD
 

I have to replace the HDD in my laptop. I want to install LINUX on it because I don't want to buy windows. I need to find a tutorial with step by step to follow to download LINUX to another computer, burn it to a cd(s), and then use those to load my new HDD in my laptop. Any one know where I can find this tutorial? I'm 60 and not very techie but I can follow a good set of instructions. Thanks

I'm all in favor of helping someone start using Linux but I just want you to know that there may be another course of action. Go to your computer manufacturer's web site and see if they have system restore CDs available. The big manufacturers usually keep these in stock for about four years. If they are available they usually cost about $15 to purchase. So you may be able restore Windows to your computer without spending a lot of money purchasing a new Windows license and installation kit.

Having said that there are some good tutorials at the web sites of the more popular Linux distributions.

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/

http://fedoraproject.org/get-fedora

The part about downloading is pretty straightforward. Burning the file that you downloaded onto a CD or DVD has only one trick; you have to burn the file as an image, NOT as a data file. This will allow your computer to boot the CD or DVD and run the Linux installer.

Let us know if you have any problems.

Welcome aboard.

If you want to run Ubuntu, and I suggest that you do, check this out: http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Maverick

If user friendliness is a main concern I would go to linux mint ,download mint 9 Isadora ,burn the image to disk ,put the disk in your computer and restart ,holding down the F12 button for a few seconds this will get you into boot order from here move the highlighted area down to dvd,cd and hit enter .The computer will boot from the disc and after you answer 4 or 5 questions you will find yourself in a live version of the operating system .At this point you will see an icon asking if you want to install the OS double click on this and it will start you on your way to a full Linux Operating system .Good luck !!

I second Linux Mint. Version 9 is the current stable version but 10 will be out soon. I'm running 10 and it's seems pretty stable so far. Plus it is absolutely gorgeous!

dukieh with the above and also add
that most every one here will bend over backwards to help someone
that shows an interest TO LEARN .
if you do want to learn about installing and using a distro of linux we will help


if you have been reading the forum then you might have noticed a few things
for the YOUNG kids -- we will NOT do there homework !!!

questions DO need to be specific
something like
" it is broken .How do i fix it "
IS not a question !

amen to that!!!!!