They say the first part of recovery is addmitting there is a problem. I am a windows user and I promise to dedicate my life, well, the part of my life not already taken my sleep, food and sex, to learning linux.

For several years now I have started and stopped with linux. I have finally had enough of Mr. Gates. I own 3 copies of his software and can not get any to install on my rebuilt computer, because, they are all upgrade versions. If there is a way, PLEASE DON'T TELL ME, I want to put windows behind me and move on with my life.

I have several copies of linux, Mandrake 6.5, Red Hat 6.1 and 7.3. My question is, should I just download the latest version and which of the versions would you suggest.

My computer is a 333Mhz with basically 130M of memory. Anything else you need to know and I will furnish it. Oh, the hard drive is 20G even though windows only says it is 6.1.

Thanks, Bill

Yes, you will probably be happier installing the latest version as opposed to an older one.

Go ahead and treat yourself to the latest version of redhat or mandrake.

I just installed RH9 receintly and like it alot, I'm also still running RH7.3 on an older box with no problems.

mandrake has been a pain in the rear for me.... im liking red hat alot better.

Mandrake has issues with installing packages.... red hat isnt as bad. However, mandrake comes with alot more garbage out of the box.... which could be good or bad. Id go with RH... im glad i switched.

Can I ask a serious question?
How can anyone guess which of the major distros someone new may be able (due to hardware) to install to their computer or which they may prefer?
Why does someone asking about a first time install always get a response that suggests they try a certain distribution?
My thought is that they can make up their own mind about one of the major (fairly friendly) distros. Their particular hardware by itself could make any more specific recommendation I make flat wrong.
I'm not slamming you here, saber41, but suggesting that maybe it is better to speak more generally when someone new is asking general questions about a Linux install.
I'm just wondering why the first question someone new gets asked is why don't they install another distro. In some cases this would be a must, old or really old version, Unixware, etc...

EDIT: Oh,Oh
He did say this:
and which of the versions would you suggest.
So, uh, nevermind...

But I will let the rant stand.

Install RH 7.3. That's fine. Just get Linux installed and start playing. Your computer is old so you shouldn't encounter any bizarre hardware issues. I assume you just want to start learning the basics of the Linux OS so it doesn't really matter what distribution you install. Later on, when you know how Linux operates then you should start playing around with different distributions. There's pros and cons of every distribution. The main point is just to install Linux.

Agreed!
Linux has many many flavours. We do not know anything about the likes and dislikes, abilities and knowledge behind the new entrant who asks. Never mind his patience.

The great thing about Linux is that there are so many different distros, some die only to be replaced by two new births.

Redhat, Mandrake, Debian ( flavours include knoppix, morphix, Lindows), Gentoo (which also has a superb packaging system but has a nagging install), Winlinux, SUse, M$ Linux (coming soon.....)

Try them all!! They are all fun and a great experience. How any types of MS Windows does one get They are alll dressed up DOS

Oh, one more thing. I'm intrigued why Windows only sees 6.1GB of your 20BG HD. Which version of Windows are you using?

I am hoping his 20 GB hard drive is not attached to an old mainboard that does not support large drives. I thought one limit was around 8 rather than 6.
Perhaps it is partitioned that way?

Thanks to everyone for their help. I have installed RH7.3 and have it up and running behind a linksys router. Working on getting x-chat going and a few other things. So far, I'm a happy camper.

Thanks

Bill

When you start chasing dependencies you can forget about the sleep, food and sex part.

I've gotten rid of Mandrake 9.0 like a bad case of Windows ME. Too much of an ordeal updating packages.

And replaced it with...

(??)
chris319
Newbie
Distribution:

As far as installing things goes, I'm hell bent on the apt-get system. It's very refreshing, very easy, and very painless.

A close second is just installing from source. No real guessing, like I've experienced with rpms.

Redhat and Mandrake are two big ones that use rpms, and you may like it, but I don't.

Debian doesn't have the best installer, but the package system is GREAT.

My advice would be to check Knoppix out, and do a hard drive install if you get tired of the RedHat 7.3

I'm really happy with it. Installed countless software on this pc, at first using sources, but now using apt more and more since I got it to jive with my proxy server.


Kick ass.


-Shade

And replaced it with...

(??)
chris319
Newbie
Distribution:

Today I installed SuSE 8.2 and immediately installed apt and synaptic. I accomplished more today installing and updating packages than in many lost evenings chasing my tail with dependencies using rpm and Mandrake.

If you're not running synaptic you're working in the Dark Ages.

Had you used urpmi?
I used to read posts that this solved dependicies.