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Post by Pete on Jan 12, 2009 15:01:43 GMT
Mikkh, Thnx for the link to Puppy/tiger.........appreciated. At the moment I am downloading linux mint 600 odd mbs. Gonna take a while.
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Post by mikeyuk on Mar 16, 2009 14:34:53 GMT
Looking at the posts.. I have never installed Linux. I have downloaded loads of Linux distros :- Mandriva 2007+ , Ubuntu 7.10+, Xubuntu 7.10+, OpenSUSE 10 + and never got round to trying them (a waste of time of bandwith!!). I've just noticed that you can install XUBUNTU, UBUNTU, MINT LINUX, KUBUNTU using WUBI ?? I got enough disk space to use it but before I do will Linux work with the hardware?
Graphics : Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 Audio : SoundMax Digital Audio RAM : 1 Gig Internet : Siemens SE587 Ethernet wireless router (using wired connectivity)
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Post by mikkh on Mar 16, 2009 20:58:26 GMT
Yes those specs are plenty good enough - don't forget Linux is not as greedy as Windows
I would only put 512 MB RAM as a must have, and you have that (twice!) The rest of the hardware is not that important and should be perfectly adequate
... and those downloads are now a waste of hard drive space if you still have them - all been replaced by newer versions
OpenSuse is the resource hog of the Linux world, my advice is forget it on that hardware - or any hardware really !
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Post by mikkh on Mar 16, 2009 21:25:40 GMT
Just re-reading your post, I get the impression you think Linux is poor at hardware detection. It's actually superb and many light years better than Windows IMO.
It will find *any* network card in my experience. I've had network cards that were on the verge of being binned because I couldn't find a suitable driver in Windows - and I'm an expert at finding obscure drivers and chasing lost causes. Linux found the hardware straight away for both cards.
Linux has helped me many times when called out to rescue the catch 22 situation of new install but XP hasn't found the LAN (network card) so they can't get on the internet to fetch drivers. I just boot from a Linux live CD which always knows what card it is, and fetch the errant Windows drivers that way
And your 'soundmax' audio card, I can pretty much guarantee Windows XP won't have a clue what sound card it is, when doing a fresh install - you'd need to be scrabbling to find the driver CD. Linux should pick it up automatically with no problem
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Post by mikeyuk on Mar 17, 2009 0:16:13 GMT
Thanks for the advice mik. You are correct about the soundmax audio card. I had to use the driver disc that came with the computer.
I have burnt 2 ISO's to 2 old CD-RW discs that I purchased long time ago (get some use out of them lol). One is Xubuntu and the other is Mint Linux 6. I will give them a go when I have the time.
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Post by mikeyuk on May 6, 2009 18:54:39 GMT
Well... I have got my act together and decided to download and install the new Ubuntu 9.04 via WUBI and it's pretty impressive. After booting up the first time I noticed I couldn't turn on the visual effects but that was soon sorted by downloading the advanced NVidia driver from the hardware panel.
The only annoying thing (well ... not that annoying) is that the resolution is really big on the login screen. After entering the username and password the screen goes back to my chosen 1024x768 resolution. The fonts are really smooth looking. It's like Microsoft ClearType.
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Post by Jj on May 7, 2009 8:13:12 GMT
Well done Mikey, Im just waiting for the final release of linux mint7, ive enjoyed and used a lot mint 6, linux is really the way to go these days!
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Post by elvisuk on May 7, 2009 14:00:40 GMT
H! Jj,
Yes me too Jj ;D
"I'm just waiting for the final release of Linux Mint 7"
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Post by mikkh on May 7, 2009 21:50:37 GMT
I'm downloading the RC version anyway, because a) I'm braver and b) nosier !
The difference between release candidates and final releases is mostly very slight, with just the odd fix for obscure hardware being the main differences usually. And installing it 'wubi' style (which I will be doing) means I can switch quickly, if I feel the need
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Post by Jj on May 7, 2009 21:56:54 GMT
Well I too couldnt wait, I had to download 3 times before I got a good iso, but running it Live its brilliant. Should I insatll this, or wait till FR? decisions decisions!!!!
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Post by mikeyuk on May 8, 2009 22:51:42 GMT
Ok... I have found a way to stop the large resolution problem on the startup login screen. You need to alter the X conf file but there is an easier way to do this .. WELL.. KINDA...
If you have a Nvidia X Server settings in the Administration menu then go into it, select the resolution you like (i choose 1024 x 768 at 70hz) click on APPLY and click on CONFIRM if you are happy. Then click on the Save to X Configuration file and click on SAVE. If Ubuntu does not allow it (you get a pop saying permission denied, cannot save file) then you will need to access the Nividia settings via the Terminal. Go into the terminal and type :
sudo nvidia-settings
It will ask you to type in your password. Type it in and press ENTER. The Nvidia settings will appear. Try saving the X Configuration file again and BINGO... Say goodbye to the high resolution login screen!!
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Post by mikeyuk on May 27, 2009 11:37:14 GMT
Linux Mint 7 has been released! I am going to give it a try as soon as i've downloaded the ISO image.
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