Hello,
I have downloaded Ubuntu allready, but what happens when I use linux, does all my hardware work with it? Do I need all other software too? Do I access the internet the same way as I do with windows?
Or are there other special things that I should think about before changing my OS?
Please help me out here.
Thanks,
Last edited by sgwreviews on Wed May 31, 2006 10:48 am; edited 1 time in total
One thing I'd definately think of
- Will I be able to play my games 
(i.e. www.steampowered.com and etc)
Your hardware may or may not work with it. Some hardware are specially made for windows, but maybe you can find drivers for it (google, as usual).
Your Internet connection shouldn't have any problems, you just use the usual Firefox/or any other browser that comes with it.
On the software side, it depends on what you use. If you use photoshop, a good replacement may be GIMP..and etc etc, as usual google or search on Frihost. There was a topic for a list of "Linux program replacements for Windows". OK, so I'll have to try it out first to see what programs are available then.
I will install Linux on a spare harddisk, do I need to change any settings in the BIOS? Or doesn't that matter?
Cause I will allways need to be able to return to my old windows disk.
I have a second drive (documents drive) where I store my music, can I access the MP3's with Linux? Like the way I do now?
You need to know the basics of computers and you have to have a lot of patience.
A test for you would be to find and install a suitable distro. by yourself.
Tell me when to close this topic, I believe there's no point keeping it open.
| sgwreviews wrote: |
I will install Linux on a spare harddisk, do I need to change any settings in the BIOS? Or doesn't that matter?
Cause I will allways need to be able to return to my old windows disk. |
You don't need change BIOS settings, linux (ubuntu) will install his own boot loader program. Boot loader allows you choose which OS you run on startup. (Dual boot configuration)
Keep in mind if you want remove linux installation in future, you have to restore your boot sector. Internet contains hundreds of tutorials about
this issue.
| sgwreviews wrote: |
I have a second drive (documents drive) where I store my music, can I access the MP3's with Linux? Like the way I do now? |
If your files placed on NTFS partitions. You will be able access your files in read-only mode. If disk with your mp3 files formatted as kind of FAT (FAT16, FAT32) you will get full access to the drive.I'd recommend that if you just want to test out your hardware, download the Ubuntu Live CD. You can just boot your computer from the CD, and you'll be running a fully functional version of Ubuntu. Run some hardware tests (specifically with your modem - many software-based "winmodems" don't work with Linux) and see if it all works.
If it does, you can install Ubuntu and it'll give you the option to repartition an existing hard drive, and it will give you a dual-boot option with your existing OS (presumably Windows - am I wrong?). This way, you can choose each time you start your computer if you want to run Windows or Linux.
I do this myself with Ubuntu and WinXP. It's easy, and Ubuntu is (IMO) the best Linux to start off with.
OK thanks,
I will just use a spare harddisk to put ubuntu on and run it on another PC, so I its easy to look on the internet with my normal PC (if I still have troubles)
You gotta know some basic things about computers, your hardware may or may not work, anyway, you can install the drivers for linux and that's all!, about the boot, it installs a lilo which let you choose between your OS installed
just gotta keep in mind that you're going to learn many many new things, this is a completely new OS for you!
you gotta know also the equal programs windows-linux here's a good website to know this
http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/index-spanish.html
this is a spanish language site, but it is easy to understand as protocolos = ?? protocols, its easy 
also you gotta know that the hard thing is to install extra software, look, i'll put the basics commands to make the start easier for you
to start a shell (equal to ms-dos) in ubuntu press ctrl+alt+F#
there are from F1 to F6, F7 returns to visual side
in example
ctrl+alt+F3 will turn you to the 3rd shell
the basic comands are:
cd <dir> - to browse directorys (cd /root/Desktop/Game)
./<script> - to run a script (./configure)
make - compile the tarball source you downloaded
make install - to install the compiled source
those are the basic steps to install a game you downloaded (in linux you gotta compile most software you download)
also here's a very usefull command
dhcpcd eth#
if your comp does not detect the internet connection, this will
usually it is
dhcpcd eth0
but you can try
dhcpcd eth1
dhcpcd eth2
......
........
..........
to shutdown/reboot this is
shutdown <-h/-r> <time>
-h to shutdown
-r to reboot
in example
if you are downloading something and you are going to sleep, then calculate, in 2 hours to shutdown, you write
shutdown -h +120
120 are minutes of 2 hours
hope this can help you ^^ Thanks for your info, but I'm having another problem right now.
I've installed it on a drive, but now when it boots it ask for a login name and pasword (view is like dos mode)
But I can't remember me giving a password when I did the setup.
I tried to startup from CD (is set like that in the BIOS) to try to format the drive and install Linux again, but it doesn't work.
I also tried this with my Windows XP CD again, but it doesn't work also.
Is my disk blocked right now?
Or is there still a way to access it?
While installing Ubuntu you have to be prompted for an username and password. Anyway, it's not clear. Do you have access to your Win XP ?
If you still have access to windows you can remove linux partitions trough
disk management tool. If you cannot access windows, you need boot from WindowsXP cd and apply follow command:
fdisk /mbr
It will restore your Master Boot Record and allow you load your windows.
heh, maybe you didnt look right when it prompted for the user/pass, all linux do it when installing, maybe you were just clicking next next next, intro intro intro, lol, if you did, try a no password, with the user root
it always asks for root password ^^ proably you just left it in blank
i think that u might have installed the server version. u might want to reinstall it. in fact, it is best if u try out a live cd. u will come to know if u really want to use it or not.
| lSaKenl wrote: |
heh, maybe you didnt look right when it prompted for the user/pass, all linux do it when installing, maybe you were just clicking next next next, intro intro intro, lol, if you did, try a no password, with the user root
it always asks for root password ^^ proably you just left it in blank |
Ubuntu does not work with root directly, it uses sudo instead. | test32rota wrote: |
| Ubuntu does not work with root directly, it uses sudo instead. |
You can enable a root account though. It's just not activated by default. | Animal wrote: |
| test32rota wrote: | | Ubuntu does not work with root directly, it uses sudo instead. |
You can enable a root account though. It's just not activated by default. |
I'm agree, but this is not "Ubuntu way".
In my previous post I just tried to warn do not use tip of lSaKenl.Jeah I suppose I have entered a password then, but I don't know which one.
Also,
Maybe I need to formulate my problem in a different way, cause I didn't really got the answer that I needed
When I installed ubuntu the first time, I formatted my drive so linux is the only thing on it.
I tried to boot from the ubuntu CD, so I could format again (now choosing a better password)
But it doesn't work.
I tried the same with my Windows XP cd, to format it but it doesn't work eather.
It looks like it doesn't boot from CD although it is set like that in BIOS, OK, I managed to recover the disk, I was able to format it and install Ubuntu again,
Really weird, cause I did the exact same things as I did before.
Anyway,
thank you all for your help,
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