Looking to install linux.... From where and how?

[wjsulliv]

Ok I'm a CS student who wants to get into Linux, but isn't ready to give up windows entirely yet. I have some questions, please help me out.

Concerning my Beta computer found in my rig below...

1) Currently I am using only 5 gig on a 20 gig hard drive, i.e. only partitioned as a single 20 gb drive fat32. Can I add linux to this drive without reinstalling windows? I know I have to add partitions for linux, but can I alter the drive without a problem? Can linux be installed on a fat32 dirve or will it reformate those partitions? If so could somebody give me a brief walk through of how that works?

2) How exactly do I go/choose to boot into linux or windows? Is there a screen or do I have to use a boot disk?

3) Currently there is no driver for my Sound Blaster 512. So could I possibly use the Sound Blaster Live driver? (The 512 has the same problems as the Sound Blaster Live does with the via 686b southbridge because they are supposedly based on the same chipset) Does anybody have any experience using the SB 512 in linux?

4) Will all my atapi drives continue to function? I.e. will I still be able to play DVD's and burn CD's? Do I need special software to do this?

5) Will my other peripherals (backup battery with serial shutdown, palm serial connection, usb zip drive, usb gamepad) be detected or do I need to specifically find drivers for them? If there are no drivers for them to I have to disconnect them?

6) I keep reading about places to download versions of linux. Are those versions free? Is there a difference between those versions and the ones that I can buy in my local compUSA?

7) Which version is easiest to install and learn? I'm not for gaming. I'm interested in getting a feel for how it operates, web browsing, networking, office tools, etc.


Thanks ever so much for you help.

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< Ok I'm a CS student who wants to get into Linux, but isn't ready to give up windows entirely yet. I have some questions, please help me out.

Concerning my Beta computer found in my rig below...

1) Currently I am using only 5 gig on a 20 gig hard drive, i.e. only partitioned as a single 20 gb drive fat32. Can I add linux to this drive without reinstalling windows? I know I have to add partitions for linux, but can I alter the drive without a problem? Can linux be installed on a fat32 dirve or will it reformate those partitions? If so could somebody give me a brief walk through of how that works? >>



FAT32 sucks, buy partition magic.



<< 2) How exactly do I go/choose to boot into linux or windows? Is there a screen or do I have to use a boot disk? >>



Use LILO.



<< 3) Currently there is no driver for my Sound Blaster 512. So could I possibly use the Sound Blaster Live driver? (The 512 has the same problems as the Sound Blaster Live does with the via 686b southbridge because they are supposedly based on the same chipset) Does anybody have any experience using the SB 512 in linux? >>



No clue, check usenet or mailing lists.



<< 4) Will all my atapi drives continue to function? I.e. will I still be able to play DVD's and burn CD's? Do I need special software to do this? >>



Yes, yes.



<< 5) Will my other peripherals (backup battery with serial shutdown, palm serial connection, usb zip drive, usb gamepad) be detected or do I need to specifically find drivers for them? If there are no drivers for them to I have to disconnect them? >>



They should work, no clue about drivers though.



<< 6) I keep reading about places to download versions of linux. Are those versions free? Is there a difference between those versions and the ones that I can buy in my local compUSA? >>



They are free, but not always the same. Mandrake download keeps crappy drivers for nVidia cards out (atleast they did before).



<< 7) Which version is easiest to install and learn? I'm not for gaming. I'm interested in getting a feel for how it operates, web browsing, networking, office tools, etc.

<<

How do you learn?

 

[tgeen]

I have had very good luck with SuSE 7.3, which hit the stores here about a week ago. As a complete noob when it comes to Linux, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the SuSE installation was. They have a very slick installer program called YAST that takes care of everything, including online updates and installs. Eventually I hope to learn this OS well enough to do everything through console commands, but in the meantime, it's worth a lot to me just to get everything up and running right away.

I just followed the on-screen recommendations when it came to setting up a partition. Instead of the Windows splash screen after POST, you will see a menu for selecting which OS you want to run, simple as that. You can exit Linux and reboot into WIndows at any time.

There is Palm-type software out there for Linux, but I don't know the name. The most recent Linux kernel has USB support, but my Intellimouse won't work yet, so I'm looking for a solution.

As for sound cards, my SBLive Value was autodetected and some kind of useable driver was installed, but I haven't really tested it much. Don't know about the 512.