Looking for a stable, good Linux version

[jojo]

Been having a load of problems with Windows, recently. Mainly, updates which crash the machine.

After an unsuccessful attempt to use XP, I'm left with a spare SSD and a version of Vista on another SSD which refuses to install SP1!

I've compiled a Belerac adviser posting of my current hardware. I've included the list of hotfixes which are yet to install. I don't really expect these to be sorted in the Linux forum, but they are there anyway. If anyone has any suggestions, we could take that discussion to the M$ forum.

Anyway. Looking for a good, stable Lixux OS if you can advise. I'd like to buy more memory of course, but it isn't going to happen for a while I'm afraid.



----------------------------------------------------
System Model No details available

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (build 6000)

Install Language: English (United States)

System Locale: English (United Kingdom)

Installed: 15/01/2014 14:35:39

Boot Mode: BIOS (Secure Boot not supported)

Processor
2.40 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad

64 kilobyte primary memory cache

4096 kilobyte secondary memory cache

64-bit ready

Multi-core (4 total)

Not hyper-threaded
 
Main Circuit Board
Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5N32-E SLI 1.XX

Bus Clock: 266 megahertz

BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS P5N32-E SLI
ACPI BIOS Revision 1205 08/22/2007

Drives
480.11 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity

385.10 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space


TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S203N SCSI CdRom Device [Optical drive]

3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]



Crucial_ CT240M500SSD SCSI Disk Device (240.05 GB) -- drive 0, SMART Status: Healthy

SanDisk SDSSDX240GG2 SCSI Disk Device (240.06 GB) -- drive 1, SMART Status: Healthy
 
Memory Modules
4090 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory


Slot 'DIMM_A1' has 1024 MB

Slot 'DIMM_A2' has 1024 MB
Slot 'DIMM_B1' has 1024 MB

Slot 'DIMM_B2' has 1024 MB

Local Drive Volumes
c: (NTFS on drive 1) * 240.06 GB 145.14 GB free

d: (NTFS on drive 0) 240.06 GB 239.95 GB free

* Operating System is installed on c:

Network Drives
None discovered

Users (mouse over user name for details)
local user accounts fred last logon 26/01/2014 12:57:47 (admin)

local system accounts Administrator 02/11/2006 13:03:34 (admin)
 
Guest never
 
Printers
Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPSPort:

Display
NVIDIA GeForce 210 [Display adapter]

Generic PnP Monitor (24.3"vis, January 2010)

Controllers
Standard floppy disk controller

IDE Channel [Controller] (2x)

NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller (3x)

Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller

Bus Adapters
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator

Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller

Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
 
Multimedia
High Definition Audio Device (4x)

Virus Protection 
Microsoft Security Essentials Version 4.4.0304.0
Scan Engine Version 1.1.10201.0
Virus Definitions Version 25/01/2014 Rev 1.165.2650.0

Group Policies None discovered

Realtime File Scanning On

Communications
Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Status: Cable unplugged
Dhcp Server: none responded
hysical Address: 00:1D:60:73:98:4F
NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet #2
Auto IP Address: 192.168.0.3 / 24
Gateway: 192.168.0.1
Dhcp Server: 192.168.0.1
Physical Address: 00:1D:60:73:9F:C4
Connection Speed: 1 Gbps
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Networking Dns Servers:  194.168.4.100
194.168.8.100
 
Other Devices
VIA OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller

HID-compliant consumer control device

HID-compliant device (3x)

USB Human Interface Device (2x)

HID Keyboard Device

HID-compliant mouse

PS/2 Compatible Mouse

Generic USB Hub

USB Composite Device

USB Root Hub (2x)
Generic volume shadow copy

USB Storage Use in past 30 Days (mouse over last used for details)
 
Last Used
UDISK PDU01-4G 8AH2.0, s/n 000000000001CA, rev 0.00
26/01/2014 03:27:21*
Samsung S2 Portable, s/n 00000011E0931050066D
15/01/2014 17:43:19*
* Possibly used again before the reboot following this time.
 
Hosted Virtual Machines (mouse over name for details)
None discovered

Network Map (mouse over IP address for physical address) 
IP Device Type Device Details Device Roles
192.168.0.1  Router Netgear / VMDG485 DHCP Server, Gateway
192.168.0.3  Windows Vista Workstation Fred-pc (in WORKGROUP), Asus

Hotfixes from Windows Update (agent version 6.0.6000.16386) install automatically.
Last install: 26/01/2014 12:14:20,

download: 26/01/2014 12:12:56, check: 26/01/2014 04:17:19. 

These security updates apply to this computer but are not

currently installed (using Advisor definitions version 2014.1.15.3), according to the 01/14/2014 Microsoft Security Bulletin

Summary and bulletins from other vendors. Note: Security benchmarks require that Critical and Important severity security

updates must be installed. 

Hotfix Id Severity Description (click to see security bulletin)

Q975558 Critical Microsoft security update (KB975558)
Q975562 Critical Microsoft security update (KB975562)
Q976768 Important Microsoft security update (KB976768)
Q978542 Critical Microsoft security update (KB978542)
Q979482 Critical Microsoft security update (KB979482)
Q979687 Important Microsoft security update (KB979687)
Q979688 Important Microsoft security update (KB979688)
Q980842 Important Microsoft security update (KB980842)
Q981322 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB981322)
Q981997 Important  Microsoft security update (KB981997)
Q982132 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB982132)
Q982665 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB982665)
Q982799 Important  Microsoft security update (KB982799)
Q2281679 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2281679)
Q2296011 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2296011)
Q2305420 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2305420)
Q2347290 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2347290)
Q2378111 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2378111)
Q2387149 Moderate  Microsoft security update (KB2387149)
Q2419640 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2419640)
Q2423089 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2423089)
Q2442962 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2442962)
Q2478935 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2478935)
Q2479943 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2479943)
Q2483185 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2483185)
Q2503665 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2503665)
Q2506212 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2506212)
Q2507938 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2507938)
Q2508429 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2508429)
Q2509553 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2509553)
Q2510581 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2510581)
Q2511455 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2511455)
Q2535512 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2535512)
Q2536275 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2536275)
Q2536276 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2536276)
Q2544893 Important Microsoft security update (KB2544893)
Q2564958 Important Microsoft security update (KB2564958)
Q2570947 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2570947)
Q2579686 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2579686)
Q2584146 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2584146)
Q2585542 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2585542)
Q2598479 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2598479)
Q2604094 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2604094)
Q2604111 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2604111)
Q2619339 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2619339)
Q2620704 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2620704)
Q2621440 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2621440)
Q2631813 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2631813)
Q2653956 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2653956)
Q2654428 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2654428)
Q2655992 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2655992)
Q2656362 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2656362)
Q2676562 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2676562)
Q2685939 Moderate  Microsoft security update (KB2685939)
Q2690533 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2690533)
Q2691442 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2691442)
Q2698365 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2698365)
Q2705219 Moderate  Microsoft security update (KB2705219)
Q2712808 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2712808)
Q2719985 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2719985)
Q2727528 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2727528)
Q2729453 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2729453)
Q2736416 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2736416)
Q2742601 Important Microsoft security update (KB2742601)
Q2756919 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2756919)
Q2757638 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2757638)
Q2758857 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2758857)
Q2770660 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2770660)
Q2780091 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2780091)
Q2785220 Importan  Microsoft security update (KB2785220)
Q2789646 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2789646)
Q2803821 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2803821)
Q2807986 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2807986)
Q2813430 Unrated  Microsoft security advisory (KB2813430)
Q2820917 Moderate  Microsoft security update (KB2820917)
Q2832412 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2832412)
Q2833947 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2833947)
Q2834886 Critical  Microsoft security update (KB2834886)
Q2835364 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2835364)
Q2839894 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2839894)
Q2840149 Moderate  Microsoft security update (KB2840149)
Q2840629 Important Microsoft security update (KB2840629)
Q2844287 Important  Microsoft security update (KB2844287)
Q2845187 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2845187)
Q2847311 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2847311)
Q2849470 Important Microsoft security update (KB2849470)
Q2859537 Important Microsoft security update (KB2859537)
Q2861190 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2861190)
Q2861697 Important Microsoft security update (KB2861697)
Q2861855 Unrated Microsoft security advisory (KB2861855)
Q2862152 Unrated Microsoft security advisory (KB2862152)
Q2862330 Important Microsoft security update (KB2862330)
Q2862335 Important Microsoft security update (KB2862335)
Q2862966 Unrated Microsoft security advisory (KB2862966)
Q2863253 Important Microsoft security update (KB2863253)
Q2864058 Unrated Microsoft security advisory (KB2864058)
Q2864063 Unrated Microsoft security advisory (KB2864063)
Q2864202 Important Microsoft security update (KB2864202)
Q2868038 Important Microsoft security update (KB2868038)
Q2868623 Important Microsoft security update (KB2868623)
Q2868626 Important Microsoft security update (KB2868626)
Q2876284 Important Microsoft security update (KB2876284)
Q2876331 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2876331)
Q2884256 Important Microsoft security update (KB2884256)
Q2887069 Important Microsoft security update (KB2887069)
Q2892075 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2892075)
Q2893294 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2893294)
Q2893984 Important Microsoft security update (KB2893984)
Q2898785 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2898785)
Q2900986 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2900986)
Q2901674 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2901674)
Q2917500 Unrated Microsoft security advisory (KB2917500)

[jojo]

I loaded the copy of Linux from a CD which I bought from the people who supplied the version. They did offer a free download, which could be put onto a disc using ...(I'm sorry I can't remember the term, its when an image is made of the disk. Dam, I know I'll remember it later, probably just after I've started to go to sleep).

Anyway, It didn't work too well. That computer was an Advent which I used XP on.To cut a long story, I didn't like the version or the way it ran. Removed it but was left with an HD on DOS and no way of accessing the CD drive.

Just remember the image, it was ISO. I didn't have the software or knowledge to burn it to disk. The company offered a copy, ready to BOOT from, for a few bucks and I bought that.

Wow, must have loosened a brain cell there, because I've just remembered where the CDs are. It's PC LinuxOS 0.93 from The Linux Shop.

Anyway, after disaster that I went out and bought the PC I'm using now. (Which I'd also completely forgotten.!! ). So, really it was a lot better.

I still have the disks. The second is called Gnu Win II.

Now, Just loaded XP, back onto one of my SSDs. I found, (or I should say, was directed to) a small free program which takes images of HDs and creates files to burn onto DVD. It's called Reflectdl It's free for home users and seems to have done a good job. It does cloning and Imaging.

I took an image of the XP, with all the update files installed, but no extras. Hopefully, if it does crash again, I can reinstall quite quickly.

But it might be nice to try linux. Can't do any harm really. Have loads of spare time now.

Anyway. I'm waffling. Look forward to comments.

Read more: computertypes.proboards.com/thread/7307/vista-ransomware#ixzz2rYMmQiei

[jojo]

I've also remembered what really infuriated me. There was a site for this version. I went there, said what had happened and my post was subsequently moved all over the board by different mods.

They were so rude as well. Taking a basic problem as some sort of personal insult. That's when I decided to walk away.

In the 70s, I worked for a time, with a few cults. Not quite the same, but I know how to maintain sanity in the face of such obduracy!

[mikkh]

OK first things first, if you have old Linux versions - bin them immediately, they're useless

I 'googled' PClinuxOS 0.93 and it was released back in 2006! It's a worthless piece of plastic basically, especially as your board wasn't made till 2007 and can't possibly have all the drivers for it

Burning ISO's is almost childsplay with many free programs available to do it - try imgburn
www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

Download the ISO, insert a blank DVD, run the program and direct it to the ISO you just downloaded.

And the one I recommend is PClinuxOS obviously, here's the direct link from the fastest server for UK people

ftp.heanet.ie/pub/pclinuxos/pclinuxos/live-cd/pclinuxos64-kde-2013.12.iso


Get used to putting your important data on external storage, or at least another partition, because you will be updating the OS several times a year. PClinuxOS has quarterly updates but you don't have to do them all if you're happy with the previous version. This is a minor sticking point for all Linux users, you will never see an XP situation where you're still using the same system a decade later - to be fair the original XP is useless as it stands too, it's only viable if you have SP3 (or version 4 of XP)

The problem being (for Linux) drivers and security updates are mostly hard wired into the kernel, thus making the latest version very important if you have new hardware or are extra paranoid about security.

[jojo]

Downloading now. Looking at the specs, I may be able to install it on a pen drive. I have just got one with 32Gb. (If that's the sound to you pulling your hair out and screaming NOOOOO, then please say and I won't).

Anyway, that will allow me to use my SSD for data.

Incidentally, on a separate issue and one which I hope doesn't come up too soon, I understand there are two different sorts of RAM, DDR2 and DDR3. The right one is needed for a specific CPU.

Is this correct? Only ask because I've not heard of it before, but then again, apart from putting this PC together in 2007 and fiddling about with it many times since, I've had very little to do with PC or any other electronics hardware for many years.

[vikingken]

The latest motherboards are DDR3, before that they were DDR2 and you have probably got DDR. You have to use the right modules, the slots are all different and they wont fit in the wrong holes.

[jojo]

I can see that now. After posting, did some checking and much like the rest of me, my MB is rather dated.

C'est la vie.

Still it's good to know as I was saving up for 16 Gb of RAM to go with 64K.

Meah!

[mikkh]

Yours is DDR2 and the CPU isn't even in the equation - all that matters is that it fits the motherboard regardless of CPU or anything else really. All modern boards will use DDR3 and the two are not interchangeable.

If you're thinking of upgrading, you will definitely need at least a new board, a new CPU, new RAM (DDR3) and probably a PSU too because your old one is likely to be inadequate even if it was 500W or bigger to start with, because they degrade over the years.

Oh and yes Linux on a pen drive is a no no, unless it's something very light like Puppy Linux.

I actually installed PClinuxOS today on a machine even older than yours - it was painful but I suspect the old hard drive I used has seen better days. There was a time when Linux would run on very modest hardware, but it seems the modern ones are almost as greedy as Windows especially those using the KDE desktop

[jojo]

Thanks for the confirmation mikkh.

I kinda knew my machine has past its best. Never mind.

Also, thanks loads for the info on installing Linux. I will put it onto an SSD.

The reason I fancied a pen drive was to be able to remove it easily. But I'll just need to be more confident.

Hopefully do this tomorrow morning. Tell you what happens.

[mikkh]

I keep forgetting my machine is pretty recent, so I phoned a friend who uses PClinuxOS on an old dual core I sold him cheap years ago and on various other lesser machines. I just wanted to confirm what I suspected about that hard drive - and sure enough he reports no problems with his speed wise.

I was getting worried Linux had got greedy behind my back while I've been using my new PC this last year or so

[jojo]

Hi mikkh,


I'm in, speaking to you from over here in Linux land.

Ran the OS using the DVD, then clicked install. Looks good, but needs some setting up, starting with the size of the screen which is currently over lapping the edges.

1. I'm being asked for a pass word. I didn't set one of those, what should I do?

2. Initially tried the konquorer. logged into this place and was abruptly cut off. Now using Firefox, hoping things go better.

3. I can't get the DVD out of the drive. How?

4, Needless to say, I will be asking a load more questions, hopefully you will be OK with that.

Thanks mikkh. Nice so far.

[jojo]

1. I've got past the password. If in doubt, root, otherwise press enter.

3 Got the DVD out by restarting. Kinda annoying, mainly because there is so little information, on anything

Now, downloaded a copy of Chrome, but can't get it to run or load. The instructions siad, download and run. But can't figure out how to run it.

The lack of information of what to do is tedious. The instruction file for loading the program from DVD, for example didn't say what to do, after the thing was installed or even what would happen during install.

I'm trying to do the easiest task in computing, downloading and running. But no indication of how.

It's not difficult to understand why so many who do try it, give up and go back to Windows.

[jojo]

Another. Trying to shut the thing off so I can reload Windows,

I click shut down.

Then a blank screen appears aking me if I want to shut down!!

I click that and I'm asked if I want to suspend to RAM or Disk.

What the jack in Hell does that mean?

And how do I repair a computer screen with a punch mark on it?

[jojo]

Back on Windows again.

Linux won't switch off, it goes to a B/W screen with a silhouette of a charging bull on it and continues to run.

Strangely, that's how I was feeling by that time!

I really want to try Linux. But why does it need to make life so difficult?

[jojo]

mikkh.

Really sorry I appeared to get so annoyed before. I hate being defeated and get really frustrated at stupidity.

It isn't you. I know you gave honest advice.

I'm sure the asnwers are kinda obvious, but they completely elude me. Be grateful for any suggestions you may have.

Thanks

[vikingken]

I dont like the way Linux loads either Jojo and over the years I have found a lot of faults with it. I think in your case the fault is with the hardware. I wouldn't really like to hazard a guess without seeing it for myself, as I know very little about what you have got. It strikes me that something is past its sell by date. You haven't got kinks in your SATA data cables have you?? That normally causes the computer to cycle on booting, but it can cause other things as well. I coil my cables in a loose spring to take up the slack, If I cant stretch them out without the risk of kinking. Heatng and cooling of the plastic can put kinks in, it can also pull cables out if they haven't got locks on connectors.  

[mikkh]

Yes it can be frustrating at first, but it's worth sticking with and the forums are very helpful as is Mr Google. Let's see if I can remember some of the points you raised because it's now on page 2 and I can't see any page 1 messages.

Yes in 'live' mode the DVD drive is locked on purpose because it needs to access files on there. You can get round this by loading it into RAM first.

The shutdown options are annoying and it's the first thing I switch off along with the needless splash screen display. There are two control panel like applications on the taskbar - one called 'configure your desktop' where as a normal user you can change things like you do in Windows. Then there is 'configure your computer' which needs the administrator or 'root' password as it's called in Linux.

Desktop icons and taskbar icons are both single click by default in PClinuxOS btw

Screen problems can be sorted in 'configure your computer' You have an Nvidia card which are much better supported than ATI/AMD cards and shouldn't really have a problem unless it's your monitor it's having problems with - like being a TV instead of a real monitor, that causes problems in both Windows and Linux

Installing things in PClinuxOS is easy, forget the Windows way of looking at web sites and guessing which download button is not an advert to a program you never wanted. Everything you need is in the program called 'synaptic package manager' which is on the taskbar for easy access. Press the reload button at the top, let it fetch all the updates then simply use the search option to find what you need. You wanted Chrome, so you just type in chrome which will bring up various matching options. RIGHT click google chrome stable from the list, pick the fairly obvious 'mark for installation' then press apply

I think that's a far more logical way of doing things myself and they're all tested by the good people at PClinuxOS to be bug free etc. As a beginner you don't need anything but synaptic for installing software. There are currently 11,823 packages listed, so if you don't find what you're looking for, you'd be pretty unlucky. If it's not in synaptic, you can't have it basically

[vikingken]

This isn't just Linux that is getting Jojo going Mikk, this rig isn't working right across the board. Windows 7 is the easiest thing to install since W95; might not have drivers for older bits and pieces, but it will install. XP wont install if the HDD is damaged, but it should go onto a SSD. There is something wrong with Jojos computer and I don't know what it is. 

[jojo]

I don't think there's a lot wrong with my machine other than the operator.

It isn't very modern, hence the DDR2 memory. But it seems ok otherwise, as far as I know.

The problems I had with Vista were because I attempted to install it too many times. It is only valid a few times and I forgot about that. I initially installed it twice, because I'm stupid and wanted to see it happen again. I had to replace the drive and then reload vista after a faulty download, possibly exasperated by a now sorted virus, which I mentioned.

I'd love to have Windows 7 or whatever, but it isn't going to happen in the short term.

There are full details of my system at the start of this thread.

Thanks for the tips mikkah. I want to avoid the forums as that was where I ended up with so many problems last time.

I've been Googling of course, but most of what I find is just telling me how wonderful it is. That information on loading Chrome for example, you are the first to say it. That is annoying.

There's a load on shells but seems a but cart before the horse sort of stuff.

Some videos on YouTube endlessly explained stuff that can be quite easily figured out, such as where the clock is, then launched into some topics without explaining what they were. One went on about changing between different versions, by clicking something. Yet none actually said something as simple as arranging the desk top, the options and loading programs

I may be a little impatient, but I just need straight answers to questions, not endless comparisons with Windows or tales of how things used to be.

It can't be that difficult to actually run the thing as a normal computer. Granted, there will be differences and new terms, techniques and such. But when people make things endlessly complicated it is generally because they don't really know. Waffling.

I do have to say though that Linux does need to grow up. It is overly complicated and there is practically nothing that just says how to do things. Wikihow for example explained how to install it, but nothing else. No doubt it has it's own terms for downloading and running/installing programs, but that is just not good enough.

It isn't intuitive and should be. I will stick with it. As I said previously, I have laods of time and need things to fill it.

[jojo]

Here's a case in point. www.whylinuxisbetter.net/

OK, we get it. Linux is the savour of the universe. Now how does it actually work?

This lot: www.linux.org/forums/beginner-tutorials.53/

[vikingken]

It might not be new Jojo, but I cant see any reason that it wouldn't run Windows 7 or anything else come to that. I dont think its actually broke, just a little bit bent. There is something your overlooking I think. Take your memory modules out and stick them back in different slots. If the damp weather has got to them, that will give it a right kick up the arse. Thats the only thing I can think of, as long as the 4 modules are all showing the full amount of memory. I was running Windows 7 Pro x 64 on a 240 GB SSD, with 2 GB RAM and MS Office 2003. Thats a mini netbook with a 1.5 GHz dual core Intel Atom. I did change it to x 86, as it suited the graphics better than x 64. Yours has got all the bits, it should fly with anything you care to put on it.

[jojo]

It'll run Windows 7 Ken, but I can't afford it.

I'm not poor, fortunately. But I spend where I have to and get priorities. Paying debts is first, as far as I'm concerned.

I may, one day, have some spare cash to buy W7, especially if the priority is increased by say, M$ making things so difficult for XP users we are left with no choice. But as things stand with other priorities, that is still not enough to push those other priorities aside.

[jojo]

Now, take notes from mikkh. Next stop, Linux.

I'll beat this beast once and for all.

[jojo]

Hi mikkh

Loaded Linus and opened the configs you suggested.

The only changes I made were to the screen resolution, I slightly altered the y axis by a few points.

The other was to the log in screen. I can't be certain but it was something called graphical log on, hoping to disable that bull image.

Now, sadly, when I start Linus I get the graphic circle thing followed by a black screen with this on it:


PCLinuxOS release 2014 (PCLinuxOS) for x86_64
Kernel 3.4.70-pclos1 on a 4 Processor x86_64 / tty1
Localhost Login

I have tried entering admin as a log in, using root and $root as passwords, but that didn't work.

I enter my user name, fred then get this:

Local host login fred
Last login: Thu Jan 30 13:13:29 on tty1
{fred@localhost ~]$

I have tried entering in linux and a few other choice words which can't be said in the company of Lynnrose, (Terrible cliche), but no effect.

Suggestions?

[mikkh]

PClinuxOS is the ultimate beginners 'distro' IMO, but that's not to say there aren't other choices. There aren't that many to be honest, I've tried virtually every one at one time or another and while some initially seemed usable and stable - over the course of weeks, little annoyances creep in and they become unsuitable for one reason or another.

Ubuntu is popular (and over hyped) and it's often credited with bringing usability to the Linux desktop - but having used Linux for at least 5 years before Ubuntu existed, I know that's totally false. It's worth trying though, I'm very biased against it, but you might like it.

Mint is based on Ubuntu, but it's a much nicer layout and it's what I call the acceptable face of Ubuntu, that's also worth trying too.

To say how many variants of Linux there are, I'd be hard pressed to name another truly beginner friendly one. Mepis used to fit that category, but sadly it's now defunct

[mikkh]

Ooops, you shouldn't have disabled graphical logon, you've basically told PClinuxOS I'm an uber geek and I don't need silly graphics because I like typing a lot of silly commands.

I don't understand why you haven't got a real root password, the root/root combination only applies to the live DVD. If you installed it to hard drive, you should have been made to change it as part of the install process.

I'll give you a few commands to use to try and fix it, but without logging in as root some won't work till you can login as administrator (root)

If you're faced with a text only login and want a graphical desktop the command to use is...

startx

That will work as a user assuming the graphics are set correctly

To configure graphics from the command line you need to use ....

XFdrake

case sensitive as are all Linux commands, so it MUST be XF not xf

As a logged in user, you can switch to root with the following command ....

su

And then supply the root password - you will need to be root for XFdrake

Other commands you may or may not find useful

mc

midnight commander - If you remember the old DOS days, it's similar to Norton Commander and the numbers at the bottom of the screen are F keys i.e Help with a 1 against it means press F1 to get help

reboot

pretty obvious what that does

shutdown

You may need to supply a number (in secs) or use "shutdown now" without the quotes

free

Amount of RAM

apt-get install (name of program)

Not very useful unless you know the exact name of the program

[mikkh]

Oh yes, Linux has a very useful auto complete on commands, so if you half know what a command is or just want to save typing you can use the tab key (above caps lock on most keyboards)

Example

Type XF

Press the tab key

XFdrake will magically appear


If there are more than one possible completions, you will see a list instead.


A history of typed commands is also kept in a buffer, which you can access by using the up/down arrows

so if you previously typed in a command, you can use it again by just using the arrow keys

[jojo]

Thanks mikkh. I'll give that a go.

What I was trying was to speed up the shut down as it seemed to 'lock' on that Bull image. That may be normal and I can switch off as soon as I see it. But I don't really know.

As for the password. I assumed I could miss it out when I installed, as on Windows, so pressed ENTER without entering anything.

Gonna try those and back soon

[mikkh]

You can omit the password for the user in PClinuxOS and have it automatically login, but you must have a root password and it shouldn't let you skip that. If it has for some strange reason you could try just pressing return but I don't think that will work with what it assumes is a null password or non existent root account

you could try the following command

su passwd

Or as used in Ubuntu and it's variants that deliberately don't give you a root account as some half assed security measure, you might need to use 'sudo' instead

sudo passwd

It will ask for the sudo (user) password first (that should accept pressing return if it's blank), then ask for the new root password and get you to repeat it to double check you didn't do a typo

None of the password will appear on screen as a security measure, so type carefully

[jojo]

To avoid physically moving the drives anymore. I just tried installing a dual boot menu, using this: pclosmag.com/html/Issues/200708/page10.html

Started Linux from CD with drives as they said.

The warning in Synaptic didn't appear as they said, but the, whatever, seemed to load.

Had problems finding Konsole, it isn't where they say, it's inside, nested in several layers of submenu.

It isn't black and not as they said.

It got to the part where I had to click, Use Free Space on Windows. It didn't ask to select hda C No Wizard appeared. I wasn't asked to enter the amount of space, it rattled away for a bit, then stopped. I closed the program and shut down Linux. I had to physically turn it off as the CD drive wouldn't stop and I didn't know what it was doing.

I have checked my Wondows and C drive. they seem to be OK, but looking at the drive map I get this:

dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/97719260/Disk%20state.JPG