I have tryed for the longest time to get linux to load in my old computer and gave up. Now I am writing this on my moms old compaq and have my old computer waiting for parts. One or both of these computers is going to run on linux. Or else. Being as I am completely new to linux I think using moms old compaq would be the right test subject. I am rebuilding the old computer to be linux compliant. The new innards of the old computer will be: ASUS A7N8X-X motherboard, AMD Sempron 2800+ CPU, 512RAM, Radeon 9800 PRO, Sony 16XDVD+/-RW, Sony DVD 52X32X52X16 Combo and Western Digital 120 GB HDD. I would dearly love to make my new/old computer the center piont of a home entertainment center. I think I got all the parts right and I'm going to add a Yamaha HTR-5730 amp/ receiver and a set of Sherwood St-4108 speakers. As it stands right now the only thing I can think of is to turn moms compaq into the linux machine and get Windows2000 for my new/old machine. I have the five disc set of pink tie 8 (RH8). I know I can get the drivers for the hardware, but where do I get the software to make the two DVDs read and write the way they should and when I link up with my TV and VCR. How is that to work if I want it to do Tivo. Do I make the mom compaq into the linux surf the web machine and not be able to do much with linux or is there a way to turn the new/old machine into a linux multi media work horse. I think I could use a couple of good self help books on how to work with linux. Ones that explain in laymans terms what command do what and tell you if this happens you need to do xy and z. I tryed learning basic a long time ago and I had to take the class twice to pass. I think I can say I am not good with program languages and the more elementary the book the better for me.