Linux for a beginner?

joemardo1

Hi there,

As someone who likes to mess around with computer software I have decided to give linux a go. A few people, on this board have pointed out its advantages over windows so I want to give it a try. I have a copy of ubuntu linux version 5.04 both the live cd and the install cd. On my desktop and laptop (which is new) I can get neither of them to work, the live cd just loads with errors cant even get to desktop gui. The install cd wont boot either even though the bios is set to boot from cd and I cant really see an install option to install it from within windows. Think I will have to give up on this version of linux. Could someone please point me to a downloadable version that I can burn to cd or dvd with nero and will definately install to the point that I will at least have a linux desktop?

many thanks
Joe

Tallymanjohn

It sounds more like you have an iffy download of Ubuntu - I've recently downloaded & installed the latest version & it all went very smoothly. Personally prefer Ubuntu over some of the other dists of Linux because everything is far more automatic - very little, if any, command line stuff needed. So give Ubuntu another go - if you need a link to the download I used then let me know.

wiraone

And get the latest one too .. the latest version is 6.06.. Run without a hitch on my AMD Athlon and had once installed on my old celeron notebook (which has given up life now).

IcyEars

But if you wait a few days, version 6.10 (the Next version from 6.06) is due out on the 26th October (and is due on time as well). You might want to wait a week, rather than install 6.06 and then upgrade to 6.10.

GaryS

You can download both Ubuntu and Kubuntu from the net - approx 600 meg each. - https://www.ubuntu.com

You can also request cds to be sent to you (Arrive quickly and are Free).

I use Ubuntu along with the KDE desktop installed and it works fine.
My 11 year old son even uses it on his pc, dual booting with XP Home.

IcyEars

Sorry, missed this bit. You can download 6.06 from:

http://ftp.ticklers.org/releases.ubuntu.org/releases/6.06/

That is if you don't want to wait. The link for 6.10 should be there next Thursday but the download server may be busy then. You could always download the 6.10 (Codenames Edgy Eft) release candidate. It's not completely finished but there shouldn't be too many change between now and Thursday. You can get Edgy from:

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/edgy/beta/

I've been using it for a couple of weeks and I prefer it to 6.06. Have fun!!

joemardo1

hi,

I actually have the official cd's not download ..they sent me them on free maybe 18 mths ago. Someone on another board has mentioned big daddy linux as well. Thanks for that info, will definatley give it a download.

joe

gbmacqueen

well done for giving Linux a go.

I have used a few and like SUSE.
A good place to see what is popular and get lots more info is

http://distrowatch.com/

Have fun

AdrianR_2

A point of note, If you have the 5.04 original distro, you are still better getting either 6.06, or 6.10 as these are vastly more advanced.