O.K. I finally found a Linux version that will work on my crippled Dell Inspiron 8200. Crippled meaning, a damaged MB and only 256mb ram (The other ram chip tested bad when it started acting up) I found that feather-linux will get me on the internet and work pretty fast once loaded. No games that I can see. :-( but it is enough. So here is the problem, I installed it on the HD. But when it boots up it ask for a logon name? When I installed it, it didn't ask to create one. It ask to name the computer box_dell and it also ask for a password. Nut no logon name. So this is where I am stuck. I installed it several times, a little differently, but the results are the same.

well if you really have not entered a username then try root.

nope, notthing.

box_dell login: root
Password" ***********

Blank doesn't work either

well boot into single user mode (add 1 or single to the boot prompt in grub or lilo), or from whatever live mode media you previously used, and look at /etc/passwd on the hard drive and you'll probably recognise a username in there after all.

I am sorry, I seemed to misunderstood the whole thing. I never used Linux before. And really don't have the slightest idea of what you are talking about. I don't know how I could look into a folder if I cannot logon. But that is o.k., I have tried maybe 8 or 9 different distros on Linux. And have dumped a lot of CD/DVDs in the trash trying to get it to work on that computer. But I downloaded Freespire Linux and installed it. And so far it looks good to go. When I am done I will give it back to my daughter and let her play with it. But thanks for the quick reply.

Just a note to let everyone know that Freespire worked great on the crippled Dell 8200. And is easy to operate.