Help
I am thinking about running dual boot WinXP Pro/Linux on my current system: AMD 2800XP 200x11, Asus A7N8X Deluxe, 1GB XMS PC3500 RAM, 120gb WD1200JB, ATI 9700 PRO. Which Linux Distro would be best for this system? I have just recently installed Red Hat (I believe 8.0 a 3 cd set) I got from a friend. However, I am unable to get the network card to work and connect to the internet with it. Is their a better distro to use? I would really like to try linux. Thanks!
Which linux distro?
#2
Dapper Dan 
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Posted 23 August 2004 - 09:19 PM
Fedora Core 1 or Mepis RC3. Both have very good hardware detection and set up utilities. What is the card you are trying to configure?
#4
danleff
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Posted 23 August 2004 - 10:52 PM
This is a common problem with this board. RedHat 8 is too old to work with the nForce chipset on the motherboard. I would suggest Trying Fedora, or Mepis first, as Dapper Dan suggested.
I'm not sure if nvidia has drivers for this version of RedHat, but I will check.
It has been also noted that the bios in this board does not allow you to turn off sata raid, which may be another issue.
I'm not sure if nvidia has drivers for this version of RedHat, but I will check.
It has been also noted that the bios in this board does not allow you to turn off sata raid, which may be another issue.
#5
SoulNothing
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Posted 23 August 2004 - 10:54 PM
i had the same issue when i first started think it might be the same mobo
thing is fedora is kernel 2.4.x
and the nforce nic isnt supported reguarly until kernel 2.6
so your options are
upgrade to fedora core 2 just download and install
install the nforce driveres (note i had issues so im sure someone else could help more so with the installation) this is a link should be the right one http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_nforce_1.0-0283.html
last but not least upgrade kernel
my recommonadtion try doing the driver give you some idea of how to install stuff
or just upgrade to core 2 but that means more discs to burn and more download time
hope that helps and core is a great choice
thing is fedora is kernel 2.4.x
and the nforce nic isnt supported reguarly until kernel 2.6
so your options are
upgrade to fedora core 2 just download and install
install the nforce driveres (note i had issues so im sure someone else could help more so with the installation) this is a link should be the right one http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_nforce_1.0-0283.html
last but not least upgrade kernel
my recommonadtion try doing the driver give you some idea of how to install stuff
or just upgrade to core 2 but that means more discs to burn and more download time
hope that helps and core is a great choice
#7
danleff
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 01:48 AM
Be careful of Mandrake 10. If XP is the only OS and you install Mandrake 10 next to it, the XP partition (if it is NTFS) may get altered. If you do install Mandrake 10, I suggest not using the Mandrake partitionigng utility, but to partition the drive ahead of time (to make space for Mandrake) using a utility like PartitionMagic.
#8
BigPenguin
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 01:58 AM
whoops,
the best setup would be a via based mobo with a nvidia 3d card.
nforce is a pain right now... be ready for the "freeze"
ati's support is a joke.
the best setup would be a via based mobo with a nvidia 3d card.
nforce is a pain right now... be ready for the "freeze"
ati's support is a joke.
#9
atcskyfox
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 02:43 AM
I really appreciate all the help for this newb.
Ok guess I will narrow down between Fedora Core 2 (which I believe is redhat) and Mandrake 10. Which should I invest my time with? And, I will try a dual boot system with Win XP PRO. I was planning on partitioning by 120gb drive with the first partition 30gb (Win XP/Programs/Games) then 10gb (Linux) and then 80gb (Storage mp3s cd images etc) can the storage partition be shared between WinXP and Linux? Thanks!!
Ok guess I will narrow down between Fedora Core 2 (which I believe is redhat) and Mandrake 10. Which should I invest my time with? And, I will try a dual boot system with Win XP PRO. I was planning on partitioning by 120gb drive with the first partition 30gb (Win XP/Programs/Games) then 10gb (Linux) and then 80gb (Storage mp3s cd images etc) can the storage partition be shared between WinXP and Linux? Thanks!!
#11
martouf
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 04:40 AM
atcskyfox: you need the i386-discX.iso files first. make sure to check the
md5sums of the downloads before you burn them.
you only need the srpms.iso files (srpm == Source RPM) if you're planning
to work with the source code of all of the Fedora software.
md5sums of the downloads before you burn them.
you only need the srpms.iso files (srpm == Source RPM) if you're planning
to work with the source code of all of the Fedora software.
#13
martouf
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 05:48 AM
the plan for partitioning looks fine to me.. can't use NTFS on the 'shared' filesystem,
you'll need to use FAT32 and be aware you can't make filesystem links.
distro choice can be very personal and not always completely based on logic
I'd rather not get into recommending one or the other. However, I will note
it seems to me more people have run into trouble setting up fresh with Mandrake 10
than Fedora. 'course you might consider SuSE... (your call, though)
you'll need to use FAT32 and be aware you can't make filesystem links.
distro choice can be very personal and not always completely based on logic
I'd rather not get into recommending one or the other. However, I will note
it seems to me more people have run into trouble setting up fresh with Mandrake 10
than Fedora. 'course you might consider SuSE... (your call, though)
#14
SoulNothing
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 05:22 PM
ne quick thing though before you start make a backup a few becuase there have been known to been complications or conflictions between xp and core 2 dual boot
while core 2 is great there might be a bit of work to get it to work with xp anything else you need just ask around
while core 2 is great there might be a bit of work to get it to work with xp anything else you need just ask around
#15
atcskyfox
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 06:08 PM
Looks like the main three for distros are Fedora/Mandrake/Suse
Based upon some research it looks like Mandrake/Suse are more newb friendly. Seeing how this is my first attempt with linux that may be the way to go. Leaning towards Suse since it seems to be more current than the Mandrake 10 version. Any suggestions would be great! Since I am planning on downloading the ISO's tonight for the one distro chosen.
Based upon some research it looks like Mandrake/Suse are more newb friendly. Seeing how this is my first attempt with linux that may be the way to go. Leaning towards Suse since it seems to be more current than the Mandrake 10 version. Any suggestions would be great! Since I am planning on downloading the ISO's tonight for the one distro chosen.
#17
BigPenguin
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 06:58 PM
what i do is have a stack of 10 drives for the system and then
each drive has a separate os. If you want to run fedora/mandrake/slackware/debian/gentoo/suse you just
power off switch the drive and power on.
All the headaches of partitioning/booting and junk like that go away.
Also, you should make a separate / partition and a separate /home
so if you just want to upgrade from mandrake 9.2 to 10.0 you don't have to backup /home with all you data files ( just remember to not format /home ) you can just upgrade the os and run with the new one with your files you want to save.
In you case, I think suse is better because it has a dvd and you just pop it in pick what you want and you can walk away ( no cd swapping ). Suse has almost everything I need on that dvd. Also, Suse still has the best package adding/searching gui so when you just want to install something you sorta remember the name of it will be easy.
A couple of times you may go back to windumb but when you come back because you miss linux only then you are a jedi.
each drive has a separate os. If you want to run fedora/mandrake/slackware/debian/gentoo/suse you just
power off switch the drive and power on.
All the headaches of partitioning/booting and junk like that go away.
Also, you should make a separate / partition and a separate /home
so if you just want to upgrade from mandrake 9.2 to 10.0 you don't have to backup /home with all you data files ( just remember to not format /home ) you can just upgrade the os and run with the new one with your files you want to save.
In you case, I think suse is better because it has a dvd and you just pop it in pick what you want and you can walk away ( no cd swapping ). Suse has almost everything I need on that dvd. Also, Suse still has the best package adding/searching gui so when you just want to install something you sorta remember the name of it will be easy.
A couple of times you may go back to windumb but when you come back because you miss linux only then you are a jedi.
#18
atcskyfox
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 07:58 PM
Looks like I am leaning towards Suse for its package adding feature. However, I can only find the ISO for the personal version which runs off the cd. How can I get the professional version ISO which I can download and burn the install discs?
#19
jimf43
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Posted 24 August 2004 - 08:48 PM
SuSe Professional is only available as a 'paid for' version.
I've been watching this thread, and, I am confused by your choices. The most experienced people Like Dapper Dan and danleff give you their best advise, but you totaly ignore them... Gotta go with the most hiped distro??? Go figure...
If you want a distro that is something more than a bootable CD , has really good packaging management, and, is likely to give you a good first time user experience, then, I strongly advise you to try the new SimplyMepis 2004 final that has just come on the public mirrors. It's not for nothing that Mepis ranks #3 for this month on Distrowatch...
Oh well, you're the one who has to live with his decision
I've been watching this thread, and, I am confused by your choices. The most experienced people Like Dapper Dan and danleff give you their best advise, but you totaly ignore them... Gotta go with the most hiped distro??? Go figure...
If you want a distro that is something more than a bootable CD , has really good packaging management, and, is likely to give you a good first time user experience, then, I strongly advise you to try the new SimplyMepis 2004 final that has just come on the public mirrors. It's not for nothing that Mepis ranks #3 for this month on Distrowatch...
Oh well, you're the one who has to live with his decision
