Can any one suggest a way I can start the experience of Linux? What do I need? where can I find what I need? Simple guidance notes on getting started?
Me: Not a computer buff. My system:core 2 DUO processor, 32bit , Windows 7, 1GB RAM and external 1 TB hard drive.
Are you planning on replacing Windows, or dual booting ?
Dual booting is where you have both OS’s installed … and decide at boot time whether to boot into Linux or Windows.
Or do you just want to “test drive” Linux ? … this can be done without installing at all, or in a virtaul machine running in Windows.
well first of all, thanks for your help in advance!
i am planning to go for the “DUAL BOOTING” option!! Is there a way i can do this dual booting from my external hard disk?
P.S. my computer doesn’t start if a pen drive is attached to it. It gives a message…“Failed in reading from pen drive…press any key to continue”.
Yes you can install to an external HDD, the risk is that you accidentally overwrite the Windows bootloader on the internal HDD.
Is this a laptop or desktop PC, as removing the internal HDD whilst installing would be the safest option ?
Are you able to burn a LiveCD ?
I have a dell laptop.
Also i don’t know how to burn a LiveCD. Is it similar to burning a CD?
Also do tell me how to start from the scratch! What topics should i get myself familiarized to, what to know, what are the prerequisites for learning about Linux, etc.?
It’s EXACTLY the same as burning a CD … a LiveCD is just what it’s called if it can boot to a fully working desktop in “Live” mode (ie. without installing)
OK, first thing you need to do is decide which Linux distribution you want to use … if your hardware is pretty recent, and of medium to good spec, possibly try Linux Mint 15
If on the other hand It’s older or lower spec, try Peppermint OS Four.
Can you tell us how much RAM you have, and the CPU ?
If not, download this ISO image:
http://peppermintos.info/32/Peppermint-4-20130611-i386.iso
and burn it to a CD or DVD … then see if you can boot to it.
If you can boot from it, when offered select “Try Peppermint” … NOT “Install Peppermint” … then come back here and tell us if you got to the Peppermint desktop (nothing will be changed on your system as long as you don’t select “Install Peppermint”)
how about ubuntu-12.04.3??? how is it?
also my ram is 1 GB DDR2, 32 bit operating system, processor is Intel core 2 duo T6500 @ 2.60 GHz, Windows 7 ultimate!!
Ubuntu will run in 1gb RAM, but Peppermint will be faster … take your pick, if you want to give Ubuntu 12.04.3 a go, you can download the ISO image from here:
Ubuntu 12.04.3 32bit desktop edition:
http://releases.ubuntu.com/precise/ubuntu-12.04.3-desktop-i386.iso
MD5 checksum = c4f4c7a0d03945b78e23d3aa4ce127dc
Ubuntu 12.04.3 64bit desktop edition:
http://releases.ubuntu.com/precise/ubuntu-12.04.3-desktop-amd64.iso
MD5 checksum = e2da0d5ac2ab8bedaa246869e30deb71
Your CPU can use either edition … so if you’re ever likely to add more than 4gb RAM … use the 64bit edition (same goes for Mint or Peppermint).
Hey, Thanks for your help!! I have successfully installed ubuntu!!! Thanks for for your help! i have a couple of questions though:
- I am running the OS from a pen drive! Will it perform optimally from a pen drive. Also will the changes i make or the stuff i download will be loaded every time i load ubuntu?
- Now that i loaded ubuntu and started exploring it, what should i learn more? I want to be well versed with linux! May even connsider it as a profession. So what can i do in it and where should i start?
I am running the OS from a pen drive! Will it perform optimally from a pen drive.
If it’s a “Live” USB, then no not really … it will generally take MUCH longer to boot, and won’t mange memory as well.
Also will the changes i make or the stuff i download will be loaded every time i load ubuntu?
It depends on how you installed to the USB stick …
if it’s a “proper” installation … YES
If it’s a LiveUSB … NO
If it’s a LiveUSB with persistence file … YES
Now that i loaded ubuntu and started exploring it, what should i learn more? I want to be well versed with linux! May even connsider it as a profession. So what can i do in it and where should i start?
Hmm, I suppose it depends by what you intend to do … but here’s a few suggestions/possibilities
a) the way permissions work in Linux
b) the directory structure
c) the way package management works
d) the way drivers are loaded/unloaded
e) the command line and man pages
Maybe check this out:-
http://linuxforums.org.uk/index.php?topic=232.0
or check the web for other free resources.