This is the first time using Linux. I've been using Windows ever since I can remember, but my friend suggested that I try it. He suggested Fedora. I tried booting the first .iso cd but an error comes up (something about isolinux error 80 ... etc). It was suggested on another post that it may be the cd drive not reading the disk properly. I tested this theory by using the disk on another computer... no problems. So i switched the cd drives and tested the cd... same problem! So I guess it's not the cd drive and it's not the disk itself. I'm wondering if it may be some other kind of hardware problem... maybe i connected the drive wrong? I have no idea. What i do know is that the cd drive makes a loud 'whirring' noise when it reads the disk...

Check this link out
http://www.yoper.com/forum2/lofivers...php/t2412.html

Basically burn the iso cd's at a lower speed [4x] and try..

usualTuxpect,

i burned the cd at 4x, so that's not the problem. the cd works fine on another computer. so i switched drives with that computer - again, it doesn't work on my computer. so i've eliminated that it's not the cd-drive either. i'm thinking the problem may be with my hard drive .... thanks for your help though

just so ppl know, my computer is some sort of pentium ( a 3? ) and it has 128MB RAM, processing speed of 800MHz (I think). maybe this info will help in solving my prob

Try getting the latest Knoppix. It's just one Cd [.iso] . You dont have to install it, for it to run you can just use it by booting off a Cd. See if you like it.. later you can install it on your drive.