Hi. I'm new here. Recently, I formatted my c drive and need to install my operating system again. I can only seem to find how to install windows back on..and I don't want windows anymore. Is there linux i can download, burn to a cd and then install on my computer that needs an operating system for free? If so could you link to and supply instructions?

thank you

okay..i burned "fedora project" to 4 seperate cds

i'm using a windows 98 startup disc..i don't know if that's my problem right there. i put the disc in..and nothing happens.. i go to drive d then say install..but that does nothing..then i read that the ram drive would make my cd drive e so i go to e: and then say install..and nothing happens. i reckon i'm not using the right command...what should i type?

bump

same ahppened to me, ,but instead of using a floppy, i modified the Bios.To do that:
1-When booting the PC hold Del then you will see a Bios Setup.
2-Go to advanced setting (or something like that) and you will see in a part:
Floppy
ide-(anynumber)
CD-ROM
3-Change with the operators + & - the order so get it like this:
CD-Rom
Floppy
Ide-X


hope this help, and be careful, if you make something wrong your computer may not boot.


-Caluka

okay..i'm under the advanced tab but then i lose you..do you have aim or any instant messenger? if you don't want to share yours..you could aim me at asimon623

http://fedora.redhat.com/download/

try redhats page for help :-)

no..i know how to burn to iso...my computer just won't boot a cd..how do i do that?

when i just have the iso cd in my disc drive it says "invalid system disk replace the disk, and then press any key"

so i put my win 98 floppy and it starts up and stuff..but ii still can't install fedora.

the dell support guy told me i can't boot an iso from the dos environment. i need either a linux exe or vat file..where can i get that?

u can copy a boot up image from the cd to floppy to get your cd`s to install using dos commands....(similar to a windoze boot up disk)..but having said that am not sure what the command is for fedora,,,, hopefully someone can help u with that or try googling for them. maybe try `boot up img. for fedora) or some such thing....soz can`t help u more :-) Just a thought u have enable cd as 1st boot option in your bios as maybe a first choice to install from ur cd`s?

sounds like your computer (bios) is either rather old (since you can't seem to boot a CD-Rom with it) or you need to figure out how to use the bios to tell it to access your CD-Rom first to boot your bootable Linux-CD.

Are you even sure the CD you burnt is bootable?

If it is just old and cannot boot from CD-Rom you will have to get a Linux-Distribution which you can start installing from inside Windows or DOS.

I know that Debian CD's can do that (when I was using it - this was possible) - but Debian is not the rigt Distribution for you!

Gather a little Information on exactly how to install a particular Distribution - before you try to actually do it.
Most Distros - I believe - have more than just one way to start the installation.
A lot of them will provide you with a way to create a floppy - for instance - which you can use to start the install-process. Later the CD-Drive becomes available and on you go...

keep going - Win98 is not a real alternative for anything ;-)

Jochen

i'm fairly certain that my computer can boot from a cd

in the bios menu..it has a order of boot devices...and cdrom is the first one i get..do you any of you guys know of a distribution download that is surely bootable?

i downloaded "magiciso" a couple of minutes ago..i popped my install cd into my good computer and it called the cd bootable...maybe i did something wrong when i burned the cd? i don't think so though.

surely bootable is knoppix - a Linux-Live-CD. You just put it in the drive and 1-3 minutes later you are in a full-fleged Linux-Environment with everything you will need for starters ana alot more...
Best thing is - you _don't_ install it - its just there (you can install it, if you want to,thoug).

About the first thing:
I don't seem to understand you - you did put the CD you burnt in the drive and your coputer tells you it is bootable(?) but does not boot it?

If you turn the computer on and the bootable CD is in the drive - it does not tell you such things but instead just boots the CD!

What is your install-CD? Who (which program) tells you the CD is a bootable?

You cannot boot a bootable CD while already having an operating-system up and running. (actually you can start from there with at least some distributions).

My advise still stands: look around (you yourself) and gather and read information on some Linux-Distributions and how they are to be installed - then try it.

Jochen

my computer will not run without its special windows 98 startup disk. perhaps i need a linux startup floppy before i can put the linux cd in?