The Dink Network

I have used Linux but never had it on my own comp/installed any version. I know of the general versions (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, etc...) but is there anything newer/better that anyone thinks I should try? Also, if anyone had some helpful advice or a nice guide to help ease me into this process, that would be great. BTW, I'm gonna be Dual OSing with Windows if that changes anything; but at the same time, I'm looking for something not-windows if that makes any sense.

Well thanks for whatever...

Just so you're aware of what waters you're about to tread in, please read this article in full before you truly make up your mind.

"I know of the general versions (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, etc..."

Those are just popular distributions of Linux. Linux itself actually just means the kernel (the core), but a Linux distribution is when it comes with a bunch of applications, default settings, package management, usually a graphical system etc. etc.

Some other popular and good distros are OpenSUSE, Mandriva, Gentoo and Fedora (Core). There's more than a hundred distros out there, but so far I myself have had the best experiences with Ubuntu.

About installing, make sure that your hard disk is relatively empty and as much data as possible is at the BEGINNING of the disk. You can achieve this by defragmenting like 5 times in a row (or just use a better defragmentation tool). When you've done that, remember that when you're installing Linux, you'll need to make 2 or 3 new partitions: first you shrink the Windows (NTFS) partition, then you make a 'swap' partition which is twice as big as your total RAM, then you make a main partition for Linux (it will be mounted under '/'). Finally you can choose to put your equivalent to My Documents (/home/username) under another seperate partition so you can always install a new distro on / without losing any user data.

Well, that's it from me. You might want to get some distro comparison tables and see what distro is best for you.

Thanks for the info so far but I have run into problem #1. Does anyone know of a good FREE bit of software I can use to burn the iso image? Mine seems to want to be difficult today.

For Windows, InfraRecorder hits the spot.

Ok another problem. I need a partitioner. Any ideas? I've downloaded a few and had no luck with finding a full version.

Most Linux installers (all that I've tried anyway) will allow you to partition your HD. If there's a live distribution, it probably has a partitioner as well.

I know that you have to partition the drive while installing the OS (/boot / etc..); but, don't you have to partition the empty space required to install the OS first?

Nope, all Linux installers that I've used allowed me to partition the HD before installing. If you go for an Ubuntu-like distro, the CD you're installing from is also a live CD, which is a working Linux distribution that doesn't need your harddrive to do anything. This live CD probably has a partitioning tool (GParted, I think it's called).

Ya but I didn't get a distribution disk from the site I just dowloaded/burned the iso image?...does that make a difference?

-_-...

Ok every time, I put the disk in it loads and and I select "Start or install" and the screen changes, some load bars fill. The screen then flickers a few times and then just stays black. And that's it... *sigh* Any clues?

You definitely don't need a partitioning tool.

Is the CD-ROM or harddisk still "working" while you see the black screen? It might still be busy and really finish booting a few minutes later.

Ubuntu can be installed from the CD and it handles the partitioning during the installation.

When I first installed it, the screen stayed black too but that's because I didn't make room for the Linux installation; so I made room on the HD for Linux (I shrunk the space available for Windows so a part of the HD was unused) and then I let the Ubuntu installer use the remaining space. Then the installer takes care of the rest and it should be installed soon after that.

See I think thats my problem but I have nothing to use to shrink the NTFS. The remaining space on my HD is negligible and I doubt enough room to run the installer. So Simeon, did your screen stay black after you partitioned your drive and you just didnt make enough room? Or was it like me and you don't have enough room right at the start? If so I think I still need something to partition the drive.

press F6, when you're on the starting screen(the one with "start or install ubuntu") and from the line that appears, remove quiet splash. If it freezes somewhere, try to add acpi=off on that line.
Good luck

These are different situations: it shows nothing for you while booting from the CD-ROM, while I think Simeon DOES see something but nothing AFTER installing Ubuntu.

Well the first time the whole drive was in use as NTFS for Windows - so the first time I didn't modify the HD, I just ran the installer and it couldn't install (the screen remained black so I rebooted). The second time the installation went fine - I do think there's an option in the installer to shrink the NTFS partition and then install Linux but I haven't used that, I've used the HD management of Vista to shrink the room used by NTFS.

@DaVince: yeah, I was able to run Ubuntu from the CD but I didn't see anything when installing it the first time.

Ya Vista comes with that but sadly XP does not...hmm...

So I guess I just need to find out why it won't load live...

Aha! Success. It Lives!

I finally tried what Cypry said and it worked like a charm...

I am also wanting to try Linux. These recommendations will be helpful.