What distro for this setup?
 

Hello everyone. I'm going to be using a USB Wireless Network Adapter (LinkSYS) on a 3.4 ghz with 1 gig ram, and I was wondering which distro you recommend. I'm totally new to linux, but from what I heard I should stay away from Redhat and Mandrake. I'm also worried about the compatibility issues with the USB Network Adapter.

CPU and RAM don't mean crap, especially if you don't tell us what brand of RAm it is. What mobo and drives are you using? Is it SATA or some kind of RAID? That kind of info will get some responses. And you'll probably have problems with the USB adapter, Google it or check the HCL here for more info.

Sorry for the lack of details. It's a Dell Dimension 4700, if this helps at all. I will get some more information tomorrow, but it's late and I have to go to bed. Thanks for the reply.

Welcome to LQ!

Download a Knoppix LiveCD and boot with it. After using it for a
while, to see what this Linux thing is all about, search these forums
for threads like yours....there are a lot. And read the stuff at
DistroWatch and LinuxISO.

Knoppix has pretty good hardware detection from what I hear, it should boot for you regardless of what setup you have, or at least come close. If you do have SATA drives or raptors in a RAID or something you may have trouble with booting distros install CDs. I'm using pretty generic hardware so I've never had any problems to share any kind of experience but I do know I've read a lot of threads around here from people who have so have a look around, you might find your answer to the question you don't even have yet ;)