Linux newbie

catalyst · 03-11-2005, 10:06 PM

I have always wanted to get into Linux. Today I purchased A Practicle Guide to Red Hat Linux. It comes with Red Hat's Fedora Core 2 (2.6 Linux kernel).

Is this a good starting point? Is the book going to provide the basics? Any better suggestions?

Thanks.

batty_professor · 03-12-2005, 09:02 AM

Glad to hear of your interest in Linux. If your machine meets the minimun requirements for the pentium-class processor, and at least 192 megs of RAM, you should be set to go. Word of caution, if you have a 3Com network card, you probably will have trouble with it. Other than that, let the good times roll!

catalyst · 03-12-2005, 11:26 AM

I am going to dual boot this on an HP Inspiron 8200 with XP.

**DumberDrummer** · 03-12-2005, 12:27 PM

Sounds good! Does the book explain setting up a dual boot?

batty_professor · 03-12-2005, 12:31 PM

When you get to the partitions manager in the installer, be sure to select the option "use free space". The installer will guide you through setting up to dual-boot later in the install, in the boot options.

catalyst · 03-12-2005, 02:00 PM

Cool. I am going to read the book here tonight at work and install it probably Thur or Fri.

lucasr · 03-12-2005, 03:20 PM

Nice one! It's great to see people getting into Linux on their home computers.

Just make sure you use the 'Use Free Space' or 'Use Free Space on Windows Partition' option when you install, and welcome to the Linux world!

catalyst · 03-12-2005, 03:22 PM

Another question...since this is going on a laptop, am I going to have any compatibility or driver issues?

lucasr · 03-12-2005, 03:32 PM

Mandrake detected my hardware and network settings 10x better than XP did, and had my internet connection up and running instantly, unlike XP.

If your laptop hardware is detected in XP, it will definately be detected in Linux.

catalyst · 03-12-2005, 03:52 PM

Thanks. Looking forward to rolling up the sleeves and diving in.

03-11-2005, 10:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
catalyst Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 46 OS: XP	Linux newbie I have always wanted to get into Linux. Today I purchased A Practicle Guide to Red Hat Linux. It comes with Red Hat's Fedora Core 2 (2.6 Linux kernel). Is this a good starting point? Is the book going to provide the basics? Any better suggestions? Thanks.

03-12-2005, 09:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
batty_professor Asst. Manager, Alternative Computing Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hooterville Il 45 mi. east of St. Louis mo Posts: 2,609 OS: Fedora Core 5 for now	Glad to hear of your interest in Linux. If your machine meets the minimun requirements for the pentium-class processor, and at least 192 megs of RAM, you should be set to go. Word of caution, if you have a 3Com network card, you probably will have trouble with it. Other than that, let the good times roll! __________________ It's better to know me and not need me than to need me and not know me. B. While users are never under any obligation, if you feel the urge please feel free to visit our donation page. Every little bit helps. And we thank you for your support. Microsoft free Registered Linux user 397458

03-12-2005, 12:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
DumberDrummer Cymru am byth Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,377 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	Sounds good! Does the book explain setting up a dual boot? __________________ Living with Louie dog's the only way to stay sane _____________________________________________ ... and with those words so begins my lifetime of longing for the devil's warm embrace

03-12-2005, 12:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
batty_professor Asst. Manager, Alternative Computing Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hooterville Il 45 mi. east of St. Louis mo Posts: 2,609 OS: Fedora Core 5 for now	When you get to the partitions manager in the installer, be sure to select the option "use free space". The installer will guide you through setting up to dual-boot later in the install, in the boot options. __________________ It's better to know me and not need me than to need me and not know me. B. While users are never under any obligation, if you feel the urge please feel free to visit our donation page. Every little bit helps. And we thank you for your support. Microsoft free Registered Linux user 397458 Last edited by batty_professor : 03-12-2005 at 12:34 PM. Reason: had used wrong term

03-12-2005, 03:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
lucasr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: United States Posts: 34 OS: n/a	Nice one! It's great to see people getting into Linux on their home computers. Just make sure you use the 'Use Free Space' or 'Use Free Space on Windows Partition' option when you install, and welcome to the Linux world! __________________ ~ lucasr

03-12-2005, 11:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
catalyst Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 46 OS: XP	I am going to dual boot this on an HP Inspiron 8200 with XP.

03-12-2005, 02:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
catalyst Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 46 OS: XP	Cool. I am going to read the book here tonight at work and install it probably Thur or Fri.

03-12-2005, 03:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
catalyst Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 46 OS: XP	Another question...since this is going on a laptop, am I going to have any compatibility or driver issues?

03-12-2005, 03:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
lucasr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: United States Posts: 34 OS: n/a	Mandrake detected my hardware and network settings 10x better than XP did, and had my internet connection up and running instantly, unlike XP. If your laptop hardware is detected in XP, it will definately be detected in Linux. __________________ ~ lucasr

03-12-2005, 03:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
catalyst Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 46 OS: XP	Thanks. Looking forward to rolling up the sleeves and diving in.