I did it ... I'm on my way to being windows free
 

I am writing this from my new MozillaFirefox browser, operational for 3 minutes

I started researching Linux Dec 27th, bot a couple of books, bookmarked about 20 sites c/w howto', FAQ's, LinuxBook, etc., printed about 250 text files (exhausted my lazer printer), downloaded/burnt DVD's for Slackware 13.1, Mandriva 10.1, utorrent (x windows so I could download it all), Easus Partition Manager and am finally here.

I couldn't get Slack to boot, nor could I get Mandriva to go either ... it has taken me 1+ month to get here. Finally gave up on booting from a usb and external hdd (thanks to a pair of SATA you know whats!)

Yesterday, I repartioned my C drive (ooops, sda) and loaded up Mandriva...couldnt get it to function either. Tonight, went through the driver install program available with the load disc and read (& wrote down) the driver "failure" output. Reloaded the DVD, chose upgrade vs install, got to the hardware configuration screen and played with my video and sound settings, and voila ... here I am talking to you with joy!

Also, GRUB is working just fine with my dual boot (windows vista, ech!) and Linux ... yippee!

Future development: learn how to operate the Mandriva system, start playing with the shells, and grow.

I'll let ya know how I go! (thanks to all for posting your problems, solutions, howto's, tutorials ..'cuz us newbies need them, really, really, need them!)

Welcome to LQ

Enjoy

Next step format windows partition.

Next step after that, install Slackware!

welcome to the GNU/Linux world!

First steps are full of scary moments (for most beginners anyway), uncertain paths to choose etc etc..
But, after proceeding the chosen will to discover this platform (gnu/linux) and overcoming the first hurdles, you will gain more certain and less scary moments during your learning curves into this new world.
Keep it up, everything starts with a little step at a time.

;)

lin/slack
 

Congrats. Don't be surprised that you did n't get slackware to work, I doubt that many would recommend it as a newbie first choice. Booting from an external hard drive, and/or installing into, requires (as you probably know) the bios to be up to it. When it is, it is a great way of avoiding the complexities of partitioning and bootloaders.

Fred.

Just want to add my welcome and congrats! Here's hoping any problems you have, LQ can answer for you! B)