To Install or Not to On a box running ME

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

Hello all! this my first post n thread.im new to linux so forgive me for my n00bishness.I want to know what type of free linux distros i could run on a box running win ME.Ive got a XP on which im downloading a knoppix livecd. I also would like to noe wheter i could keep my ME yet run a linux os.I would like to noe ne free linux distors which would run on my ME's current partition.

thanks in advance

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

Can i do the same on my XP ? will it affect my family members work if i set up 2 different oses on the same computer?

[mrBen]

Yes - all distributions support 'dual-booting' whereby you install alongside your existing OS, and you choose which OS you want at boot up.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

Ok thx but how do i choose to do the 'dual - booting '? Also ive got the knoppix iso but do i just burn it to my cd n use it or are there other steps to complete first before i can do that? do i have to download any other files givin at the directory?

[mrBen]

Originally posted by XbaxeSysAdmin
Ok thx but how do i choose to do the 'dual - booting '?

Usually a distribution will set this up for you automatically, as it is one of the most common configurations.

Also ive got the knoppix iso but do i just burn it to my cd n use it or are there other steps to complete first before i can do that? do i have to download any other files givin at the directory?

The Knoppix ISO should be all you need, although if you want to check the integrity of the download, you can use an MD5 sum (you'll need to grab some md5 summing software for windows to do this). You need to make sure that you burn it as a CD image, otherwise it will not boot properly. What burning software are you using?

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

I have Sonic Record Now but i dont know how to configure it.

[mrBen]

Originally posted by XbaxeSysAdmin
I have Sonic Record Now but i dont know how to configure it.

Hmmm - never used it :( From what I can tell from their website, it can burn ISO files - try double-clicking the ISO file from Explorer - it may be that RecordNow has associated itself with the filetype.

Otherwise, look for an option to 'Burn Image' or something similar.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

ok read thru the help files.managed to find a way to burn the iso. file to a cd. so how du i start it up? the knoppix livecd i mean.
thx mrben i really value ur help.helped me alot to get me on my way to linux.

BTw this my first linux live cd ever! so please bear with me

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

Thanks MrBen!

[mrBen]

Originally posted by XbaxeSysAdmin
ok read thru the help files.managed to find a way to burn the iso. file to a cd. so how du i start it up? the knoppix livecd i mean.
thx mrben i really value ur help.helped me alot to get me on my way to linux.

BTw this my first linux live cd ever! so please bear with me

All you need to do is to boot your computer from CD - stick the CD in the tray and then reboot. Most computers these days will automatically try and boot from CD anyway. If it doesn't boot automatically, then you will need to go into the BIOS and change the boot sequence so that it checks the CD player before the harddrive.

When it boots you'll get a knoppix splash-screen and a prompt that says boot: - just hit return and it should hopefully boot into a full knoppix desktop.

If you have any problems, just let us know.

[Admstng]

The more important question.. why are you using ME?

anyway.. .goodluck with Linux....


-Adam

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

ok...that means i dont have to type in nething? what kind of desktop will it open up into? KDe or command line? i want to learn from command line so
i can get weaned off windows.Which one do you think is better?

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

Originally posted by Admstng
The more important question.. why are you using ME?

anyway.. .goodluck with Linux....


-Adam

ok ty... i have a XP and a ME.I wanna test out on the ME as theres nothing much onit

[Admstng]

Originally posted by XbaxeSysAdmin
ok...that means i dont have to type in nething? what kind of desktop will it open up into? KDe or command line? i want to learn from command line so
i can get weaned off windows.Which one do you think is better?

The CD is bootable.. so if your CDROM is your first boot device it should jsut boot off that.. it will boot into KDE

[XiaoKJ]

you don't want to get locked into the command line the very first times you use the OS. you can learn them _SLOWLY_ and get familiar with the CLI just by using it inside of KDE or Gnome or whatever.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

Ok now ive got a problem.I can startup Knoppix in Me but on my XP i can get to the boot scrn but then wen i hit the enter key , i load up the linux thing then my scrn goes blank.What do i do? wait for it to load or just reboot like i did? I only waited for like 2 min but there was no signal of the CPU working.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

Thanx guys for all your help! id never have touch Linux if it werent for u ppls help.I like linux alot.looks cool n much smoother than XP( on my ME).
So ne suggestions? BTW how du i use then internet inside linux? My ME doesnt have internet access.

[mrBen]

Originally posted by XbaxeSysAdmin
Thanx guys for all your help! id never have touch Linux if it werent for u ppls help.I like linux alot.looks cool n much smoother than XP( on my ME).
So ne suggestions? BTW how du i use then internet inside linux? My ME doesnt have internet access.

If you're ME doesn't have access, then Linux probably won't on that machine either ;)

re: the XP machine - it's probably a problem with getting the graphics setup correctly. Can you give us the graphics and monitor spec?

re: internet access in general - it will depend on the type of your connection. If you are using dialup, then you may have issues as the majority of dialup modems are 'winmodems', requiring special software to operate. However, if you are using adsl/cable, then you may well find that Knoppix will configure it automatically.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

XP Graphics Specs: COMPAQ FP7317 17 inch LCd monitor 1280 x 1024 True colour (60 hz)

internet:Broadband-will knoppix set that up?

[IsaacKuo]

I have had Knoppix fail to boot up on a computer with certain video cards (s3? Trident?). I don't remember exactly which card it was that was causing trouble, but I found that booting up with the generic "vesa" driver fixed everything up.

With Knoppix, there are a number of boot option "cheatcodes" that you can enter in. Depending on the version of Knoppix, the exact key which you press to view the cheatcodes may be a little different. In any case, the boot splash tells you what to press to view the cheatcodes. Use the cheatcode to set the video driver to "vesa".

Back to the original question--I've dual booted Linux and Windows Me with no problem whatsoever. It's exactly like dual booting Linux and Windows 98.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

my problem is with XP n Knoppix....I cant get Knoppix to work out... will try ur idea now brb in 5-10 min please keep on posting suggestions...im open to all

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

My graphics card is ' Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics "

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

ok i cant do nething.... i can only get to the boot scrn... ok shud i keep trying or just change to another livecd type?

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

ok im in knoppix n posting this.I only managed to get in thru the failsafe command from the boot prompt.... neone can give me ne ideas how to load it properly?

[mrBen]

Knoppix is probably up there with the best of them.

Check some of the boot options - I think F1 will give you a list. Otherwise - read the full splash screen, and it should tell you the correct key.

As per above, try using the VESA driver - again, the help screen should tell you the correct boot option to use.

If you are lucky, then Knopppix will set up your broadband for you. What type of modem are you using, and what type of connection (USB/ethernet)?

[Parcival]

Here's the full list (http://download.linuxtag.org/knoppix/knoppix-cheatcodes.txt) of parameters (plus explanations) you can enter when booting Knoppix.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

ok ty guys... I got the thing to set up my internet using the network configure tool.Im looking thru the list parcival gave me to find the VESA driver.

[IsaacKuo]

The vesa option isn't listed in that file, for whatever reasons. The option is:

knoppix xmodule=vesa

That will work on almost any video card.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

I just tried... weidly it does to a light black scrn.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

I just tried it.... it goes to a lighted black blank screen.Im pressed for time with my mother hounding me for the com ... should i wait for the scrn to display stuff or shud i just go load another livecd distro?

BTW what does Gentoo do?

[mrBen]

Originally posted by XbaxeSysAdmin
I just tried it.... it goes to a lighted black blank screen.Im pressed for time with my mother hounding me for the com ... should i wait for the scrn to display stuff or shud i just go load another livecd distro?

Try using some of these bootup options:

knoppix vga=normal
knoppix screen=1280x1024
knoppix screen=800x600
knoppix xmodule=svga
knoppix xmodule=i810


And let us know what happens with each, if it's any different.

Using another livecd _might_ work, but it's probably easier to do a little troubleshooting with Knoppix first, IMHO.


BTW what does Gentoo do?

Don't go there. Not yet.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

ok sure.... ill try out the commands u suggested.I wont go near Gentoo till i get the hang of Linux distros...

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

Ok... the most promising command is knoppix vga=normal.... goes all the way to loading linux kernel.then i cant wait ne longer

BTW im in Knoppix on my XP box using 'failsafe'.Im using Konqueror right now.... debian GNU/linux is really cool....Love it .I wanna noe how to boot up properly.

[XbaxeSysAdmin]

This thread is getting way off-topic.Im gonna create a new one...