I downloaded Simply MEPIS V3.3 from LQ because I had heard it was easy to get going.. I stuck the disc in and booted from the disc.. It goes to the MEPIS install screen and then I get to the desktop area and it asks to login.. I clicked on root and typed root as the password.. It worked, lol..

So I am looking around and notice a few things that I was having trouble with..
1) The CD-ROM drive that I had the linux disc in wouldn't open.. Is this because I am running mepis from the disc? If I go through the partioning process and install mepis to the hard drive I shouldn't have any problems with this, correct?
2) MEPIS did not install drivers for my network card.. Linksys PCI Wireless-G adapter.. I tried installing from the .exe on the disc I got but MEPIS wouldn't run the "Windows Executable"..
3) The max resolution I could have was 1024x768.. Is there anyway to install custom drivers to get higher resolutions?
4) It seemed a tad laggish going into Firefox and my documents and such.. (Obviously I don't have an internet connection but I mean going into the actual program) Is this because I was running mepis from the cd? I have a very fast rig btw..

I think that covers it.. If I have anymore questions I will post them.. Thanks guys, peace..

1) that's correct, you cannot open the CD while you have a disk mounted on.
2) Linux doesn't run EXE files, only using Wine or Crossover Office - but that would not help in case of drivers. You probably have to use ndiswrapper (type "man ndiswrapper" in console for more info)
3) did you choose different resolution at boot up? Press F3 it should give you a list (also what video card do you have?)
4) Running from CD is usually 10 times slower than from HD. Some programs start a little bit slower in Linux some a little bit faster, however the deal is that Linux doesn't get sluggish after a while it keeps the same performance no matter what you install/remove -> windows in my experience become almost unusable.

I have an eVGA GeForce 6800GT running on AGP 8x slot.. Well I am gonna go ahead and install linux to the hard drive and delete window.. Just because I like linux soo much.. Thanks for the help.. If I have more questions I will be sure to post here!

I've never seen someone who's had so much trouble with a Linux distro be so enthusiastic about installing it--speaks well of your attitude. Even though I'm a big fan of Mepis, I think you should go for another distribution. Mepis recognizes my hardware, and that's a major reason I went with Mepis. If it doesn't recognize your network card, try something else. Maybe Ubuntu?

I am having trouble now modifying my windows xp partition! Ugghg.. Says I need to unmount disc but when I try to unmount disc it says I can't, lol..

Can anybody else suggest another distro of linux that has a good GUI and recognizes most hardware? Aysiu, thanks for the comment! I feel very welcomed to the forums..

If you're thinking "free", Ubuntu is worth a try. It uses Gnome, though, which I don't like (although a related distro, Kubuntu, uses KDE). The Xandros OCE also has good hardware detection; if you like it, you can upgrade ($$$) to their Standard or Deluxe editions.

I hate to see you give up on Mepis. I switched over to it about 2 years ago after trying all the major distros. It's been terrific for 2 years now and keeps getting better and better. For any problems you can get all the help you need from the Mepis Home Page and from Mepis Lovers, as well as here, to work them out.

You should be able to use the Install icon from the Simply Mepis Live CD version 3.3 and install over the windows partitions. HTH.

I didn't like version 3.3 and uninstalled it because it didn't find most of my hardware. A few weeks later I saw version 3.3.1 and decided to give it another try. Now this one KICKS BUTT SMOOTH! A perfect installation on the same computer...
So all I can say is try the newest one before you give up.

I ain't givin up on MEPIS guys! Pshh..

Is there anyway to install drivers for my hardware? Like can I install my own GFX's card drivers and my own chipset drivers?

If so then there is no reason for me to upgrade to the mysterious version 3.3.1 which I can't seem to find anywhere, lol..

you dont need to install chipset drivers.

it is possible to install video card drivers, and mepis has a configuration utitlity for it to do it automatically too(dont be too shocked if it doesnt work correctly though).

you can install drivers for your wifi card with something called ndswrapper. it lets you use windows drivers for wifi in linux(google it)

3.3.1 is on mepis.org. you should probably download it because it has newer packages. with 3.3.0, you will need to do a lot of updating, and it will end up taking longer than just downloading hte newer version.

Thanks guys.. I am downloading 3.3.1 as we speak.. Be back after I install it..

Awesome, so I am looking at ndiswrapper and it supports my card.. Does MEPIS include this with their package? Somebody mentioned "man ndiswrapper" in the command line?

Mepis comes with ndiswrapper preinstalled.

Awesome, thanks buddy.. Well guys, I am also ready to delete my Windows partition for good..

I will post when I got everything up and running.. Thanks for all the help and the quick replies!

I just went to www.winehq.org and didn't see mepis on the download list.. Does this mean that I can't play my windows games?!