I'm a total Linux noob, but a great Windows user. What distro is best for me?

Bratmon · 01-22-2010, 08:56 PM

Sync your ipod with gtkpod.
http://www.gtkpod.org/about.html

mark_alfred · 01-22-2010, 09:31 PM

aMule is a good peer-to-peer program (with a similar functionality to Limewire).

DMike · 01-22-2010, 10:06 PM

Ok, one more question: I'm trying to burn an ISO file onto a blank CD. The burner isn't recognizing the d: drive. It says "D drive is inaccessible. Incorrect function." I am a burn of a disk away from possibly finding computer bliss after a good couple of weeks of pure Windows hell, please help me.

lupusarcanus · 01-22-2010, 10:08 PM

What does My Computer say you have plugged in?

DMike · 01-22-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopard

What does My Computer say you have plugged in?

It just says the drive is inaccessible and there's an incorrect function.

lupusarcanus · 01-22-2010, 10:14 PM

Reboot the computer with the drive still plugged in.

DMike · 01-22-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopard

Reboot the computer with the drive still plugged in.

Already tried, no dice.

lupusarcanus · 01-22-2010, 10:21 PM

Right-Click on the drive w/ the problem
Properties
Recording Tab
and then check the "Enable CD Recording On This Drive" box.

and

Make sure the program 'Roxio Easy CD Creator' is uninstalled. it interferes with Windows somehow.

Should fix it.

DMike · 01-22-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopard

Right-Click on the drive w/ the problem
Properties
Recording Tab
and then check the "Enable CD Recording On This Drive" box.

and

Make sure the program 'Roxio Easy CD Creator' is uninstalled. it interferes with Windows somehow.

Should fix it.

There is no Recording tab, just General, AutoPlay and Hardware tabs. This is really going to raise my blood pressure

lupusarcanus · 01-22-2010, 10:35 PM

Is it recognized as a CD/DVD drive, in My Computer?

And, what version of Windows do you have?

DMike · 01-22-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopard

Is it recognized as a CD/DVD drive, in My Computer?

And, what version of Windows do you have?

Windows XP, Service Pack 2. It knows there's a disc in there but the entire drive seems to be unusable.

lupusarcanus · 01-22-2010, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Another possible solution is this workaround...

Method One: Remove the registry entry

Warning: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system.

Please Note: If you had installed multiple CD-writing software products on your computer, you need to uninstall the software products before you remove the registry keys.

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.

3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}

4. On the File menu, click Export.

5. In the File name box, type savedkey, and then click Save.

6. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type UpperFilters, and then click Delete on the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

Note: If this data type is missing, go to Method 2.

7. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type LowerFilters, and then click Delete on the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

8. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

Method 2: Replace the existing driver

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. If Control Panel is in Category view, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

If Control Panel is in Classic view, double-click System.

3. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.

4. Click the drive with the question mark (?) next to it.

5. On the Action menu, click Uninstall. When you are prompted to confirm the removal, click OK.

6. Repeat steps 4 through 5 for any other drives with question marks.

7. On the Action Menu, click Scan for hardware changes.

Close all windows and reboot the computer.

Please give these two methods a try and post back with the results.

Credit to Dave T. of TSF

http://www.techsupportforum.com/micr...-function.html

I do hope that fixes it.

DMike · 01-22-2010, 11:15 PM

Nothing works! My Windows is truly awful, damn it! I'm going to borrow a friend's computer and make it on there.

cantab · 01-22-2010, 11:30 PM

I would avoid Ubuntu 9.10 'Karmic Koala'. Both from my own experience and what I've heard from others, it's full of problems. I think you'd be better using the previous version, 9.04 'Jaunty Jackalope' - it still gets bugfix and security updates, and you can enable the 'backports' repository if you want newer versions of applications.

PCLinuxOS was good last time I used it - but that was several years ago.

EDIT: If you're having trouble burning a CD in Windows, you could try using Wubi to install Ubuntu, perhaps as a temporary install to allow you to burn a CD for a standard install.

Lexus45 · 01-23-2010, 01:09 AM

Hi, DMike!

I'm sure when the people want to migrate to Linux, the 1st thing to know must be the purpose of this migration.
I mark out 2 general purposes which may be:

desktop use
server use

So, we're ready with the choice: from your first post I've understood that at this point you want to try GNU/Linux as a desktop system.

I think you may start getting in touch with Linux from some of these distros:

Ubuntu
Linux Mint
Mandriva
OpenSUSE

All of them are designed to provide "Linux for everyone", that's why they can be a good starting point.

So, have fun and good luck!
Ask questions, if reading mans and official sites' documentation will not help