Linux Help.

[computerguyj13]

My compy is slowing way down again...and as much as I look forward to a FFR, I like to try something different this time. So if you're feeling incredibly bored (and stuff) I could use some major help getting linux installed. I know nothing about linux so, yeah baby steps are required. This website http://linux.manjos.com/asus/ is proof that it can successfully be done to my laptop, but it's all greek to me. So if you could check it out, and get back to me I would really appreciate it.

[bassmadrigal]

First off, you need to decide what distro you want to run. There are many different versions out there. If you google for distro quiz and take some of them, you might have an idea of where to start. By far, the most popular distro is Ubuntu. The do have live cd's (able to boot off the cd into a working OS without installing, used for testing and hardware recognition).

Me personally, I use Slackware. It is a bit more difficult, but the saying goes when you learn a distro, you learn that distro, but when you learn slackware you learn linux. This means that with Slackware you actually learn how certain things do what rather than a wizard that sets things up for you.

I am more than happy to help you out with getting things set up. I do have Vonage over here, and if you want I can PM you my number. I am also on AIM, Yahoo, and MSN all with the same username as this forum (except with MSN add the @hotmail.com).

[computerguyj13]

Well since I am definitely a linux newbie, and time is more and more of a rare commodity, I will have to forgo the slackware, for now. According to the distro quizzes I took, my options are Kubuntu, Ubuntu, OpenSuSE, Mandriva, Debian, and Gentoo (since I know most of the drivers exist for a laptop on the distro). Thoughts? I'm not going to be able to tell one from another since I have never used linux before. So whichever one you think would be easiest. BTW added you to my msn. Also same as forum id.

[DaijoubuKun]

Kubuntu is the KDE desktop version of Ubuntu, so if you don't want to use gnome that's the way to go.  I have used Ubuntu, but was a little disappointed, but like bassmadrigal, I'm a Slackware guy.  OpenSuse I'm told is pretty good, I havn't used it for quite some time. Mandrivia was once known as Mandrake and it sucks.  Debian and Gentoo are very popular, however I have had too many issues with both to ever recommend them.

From what I have seen I would try Ubuntu or Kubuntu.  They are easy to learn and have a very large community where you can get help.

Lastly, I'm so proud of you for seeing the light   

[bassmadrigal]

As Dustin said, KDE is a more windows like desktop. Gnome has some similar features but is slightly different. Not hard, just different. I had a friend who is not computer-savvy, and we successfully installed Ubuntu (pronounced oo-bun-to) on her laptop, and she got everything working with little to no help. (I probably shouldn't mention this, but she decided after a couple of months to switch back to windows.)

My suggestion to you would be to download some live versions (I know Ubuntu's comes on the install disc), and try them out. See if you don't mind running gnome (comes default with Ubuntu). I personally would suggest Ubuntu or OpenSUSE, as I have heard that Kubuntu is not as stable as Ubuntu. Ubuntu by far has the largest community as far as support goes. Have a look at http://ubuntuforums.org. As far as Gentoo, I would not recommend that, I believe to start it probably is more difficult than Slackware. And the drivers issue really isn't relevant, because (for the most part) if it works in one distro, it should work in any distro (you might need to install software for it).

Now just to clear some common misconceptions, Linux is not an Operating System. Linux is just the kernel (kinda the brain of the OS). It is fine to refer to Linux as an OS, just make sure you understand the difference (I can clarify this more if needed). The distro is all the other programs that are included, and every distro's software selection will vary. Hence the difference between Ubuntu and Kubuntu, is mainly a different desktop (called Window-Managers).

[computerguyj13]

Wish I had updated last night. I tried to use the live versions of OpenSuSE and Kubuntu, neither one worked. So I guess I will try ubuntu next.

[DaijoubuKun]

How about this, why not give me a list of your hardware.  Open up your control panel and then device manager and put the important stuff here (hopefully you don't use a dial-up modem, I've never set one up in Linux).  The Important stuff would be things like, Video card, sounds card, network card, chipset, etc etc.

[computerguyj13]

I downloaded Ubuntu last night about this time, and finally about 20 minutes ago, I tried the live CD. It works marvelous. As far as I can see without actually installing everything seems to be working great. Sound, video, wired/wireless, bluetooth, didn't bother looking for the dial-up modem... lol the live CD even had my printer detected and installed, as well as my usb keyboard with it's shortcut buttons. Too make a long story short, (too late). I think we have a winner.  Now whenever I feel like backing up everything and trying it for real, that is another story, I wish my external hadn't crapped out on me stay tuned

[bassmadrigal]

How about this, why not give me a list of your hardware.

You know... if you actually had clicked on the link in his first post, you would've already seen his hardware specs.

But it is good to hear that you found one that worked. I have heard great things about Ubuntu. People seem to really love it. You will definitely need to keep us informed.

[computerguyj13]

ok, I am officially running Ubuntu as of 2100 pacific standard time. So far so good, but it's still a fresh install, so we'll see. day: 1 hour: 1 very content. stay tuned...

[DaijoubuKun]

You know... if you actually had clicked on the link in his first post, you would've already seen his hardware specs.

except for the fact that not all asus laptops are alike, I have found that with many manufactures that even who they are the same model number will have slightly different equipment.  For example, with my laptop, asus says it has the atheros wifi 8550 (that windows reports as 8650) yet it's actually the 8650 series atheros.  That's why I asked.  ^_^

[bassmadrigal]

ok, I am officially running Ubuntu as of 2100 pacific standard time. So far so good, but it's still a fresh install, so we'll see. day: 1 hour: 1 very content. stay tuned...

Sweet, let me know if you have any problems.

except for the fact that not all asus laptops are alike, I have found that with many manufactures that even who they are the same model number will have slightly different equipment.  For example, with my laptop, asus says it has the atheros wifi 8550 (that windows reports as 8650) yet it's actually the 8650 series atheros.  That's why I asked.  ^_^

Yeah, but how often is that the case. With my laptop things change as well, but it at least gives you starting grounds. Typically the only thing that would change would be the wireless, and that is why I had suggested running a live distro. If it detects everything properly then we don't even need to worry about his hardware.

[computerguyj13]

Day:1 or is it 2 since it's technically after midnight? Anyway, issues. Trying to run a program, actually very simple in nature, but it requires a net framework. I found one (mono) and installed i. I am also running wine since the program is native to windows. But when I start up the program, it reads from the hard drive, starts something, then puts "explorer" into "sleeping" status. I know "explorer" is the program trying to start using wine. But my problem is this, if I am having such a hard time installing/running  a relatively simple program what hope do I have for any other I have.

[bassmadrigal]

If you are running a program within wine, it won't access anything that is installed on your system. You would have to install the .net framework for windows into wine.

Wine is basically a windows install. Anything that a program would need would need to be installed directly into wine.

[computerguyj13]

Not to ignore the last post, but I needed a system that worked the right away, so sadly I have gone back to windows xp, for now. When I get my new system built, there will be time to play around with linux on this laptop, until then, I guess windows it is. Thank you all for your help.