debian

sommerrainstorm · 10-09-2008, 02:53 PM

i'm thinking about installing Debian on my Compaq desktop.
It uses windows home basic vista now.

i have a million questions but the first one would be this...

is it possible for ordinary 'not so smart with puters' person such
as me to even fool with trying to install a new os?
can i do it?

**wmorri** · 10-10-2008, 04:34 AM

Welcome to TSF!!

Hi,

Welcome to the wonderful world of linux. It is great that you have thought about running linux. I would recommend that you daulboot for now. That means that you set up two OS's on your computer until you get used to using Linux. I would recommend that you read this. It is a great tutorial on how to set up and install Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a distribution that is planned and run off of Debian. So it should be pretty easy for you to understand.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask, and myself or one of the others here will do the best we can to help you.

Cheers!

**K-B** · 10-10-2008, 06:08 AM

Moved to Linux forum, because Debian is linux:)

**wmorri** · 10-10-2008, 06:39 AM

Thank you for moving that K-B!!

sommerrainstorm · 10-16-2008, 01:10 PM

WOW

thanks sooo very much for your support! i appreciate the helpful answers, but more than anything i appreciate the 'you can do it' posting! that helps so very much and i believe i can do it as well! so glad i joined this forum which has been the GREATEST help i've ever found in the world of computers!!

thanks again!

**wmorri** · 10-16-2008, 01:54 PM

Well, I am glad that we could help you here at TSF! I know the feeling of well you are just starting out and having users not help you just becuase they have answered the same question a million times.

Any time you need help with any linux stuff you can count on us to help you.

Cheers!

**Bartender** · 10-16-2008, 05:22 PM

First thing to do is decide whether you care about keeping Windows.

If not, just follow some directions for downloading/burning a LiveCD or altinstall CD, and let the installer wipe the drive.

With a LiveCD you can boot from the CD and give Linux a test drive. You'll know pretty quickly if you're going to have graphics problems, etc.

It gets a little bit more white-knuckled if you have Windows, and there's important personal data you want to keep.

BTW, I'd suggest Ubuntu rather than debian. Ubuntu is an offshoot of deb, but probly easier for a newb.

Also, an easy way to try out Linux without making a commitment yet on the Windows drive is to pop the Windows drive out and toss in a hand-me-down HDD. Chances are someone you know has an old HDD laying around in a drawer.

10-09-2008, 02:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
sommerrainstorm Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 12 OS: windows home basic vista service pack 1	debian i'm thinking about installing Debian on my Compaq desktop. It uses windows home basic vista now. i have a million questions but the first one would be this... is it possible for ordinary 'not so smart with puters' person such as me to even fool with trying to install a new os? can i do it?

10-10-2008, 04:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,814 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: debian Welcome to TSF!! Hi, Welcome to the wonderful world of linux. It is great that you have thought about running linux. I would recommend that you daulboot for now. That means that you set up two OS's on your computer until you get used to using Linux. I would recommend that you read this. It is a great tutorial on how to set up and install Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a distribution that is planned and run off of Debian. So it should be pretty easy for you to understand. If you have any questions please feel free to ask, and myself or one of the others here will do the best we can to help you. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

10-10-2008, 06:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
K-B Moderator, Linux Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,876 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Re: debian Moved to Linux forum, because Debian is linux:) __________________

10-10-2008, 06:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,814 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: debian Thank you for moving that K-B!! __________________ Linux Forever!

10-16-2008, 01:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
sommerrainstorm Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 12 OS: windows home basic vista service pack 1	Re: debian WOW thanks sooo very much for your support! i appreciate the helpful answers, but more than anything i appreciate the 'you can do it' posting! that helps so very much and i believe i can do it as well! so glad i joined this forum which has been the GREATEST help i've ever found in the world of computers!! thanks again!

10-16-2008, 01:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,814 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: debian Well, I am glad that we could help you here at TSF! I know the feeling of well you are just starting out and having users not help you just becuase they have answered the same question a million times. Any time you need help with any linux stuff you can count on us to help you. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

10-16-2008, 05:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bartender Mentally divergent Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chehalis, WA, USA Posts: 1,285 OS: W2K, Ubuntu 8.04	Re: debian First thing to do is decide whether you care about keeping Windows. If not, just follow some directions for downloading/burning a LiveCD or altinstall CD, and let the installer wipe the drive. With a LiveCD you can boot from the CD and give Linux a test drive. You'll know pretty quickly if you're going to have graphics problems, etc. It gets a little bit more white-knuckled if you have Windows, and there's important personal data you want to keep. BTW, I'd suggest Ubuntu rather than debian. Ubuntu is an offshoot of deb, but probly easier for a newb. Also, an easy way to try out Linux without making a commitment yet on the Windows drive is to pop the Windows drive out and toss in a hand-me-down HDD. Chances are someone you know has an old HDD laying around in a drawer. Last edited by Bartender; 10-16-2008 at 05:28 PM.