A few question from a linux newbie

[r11ckp]

Hi im currently trying to figure out DSLinux, i have it on LIVE cd and im just playing around with it for a bit.

Can anyone tell me how to access my hard drive files?

Will movies play on linux that play on windows?

How do i open files? Does it all have to be done y the shell command or is there an easier way?

Im hoping to install DSLinux on my hard disk with a partition, is it possible to create a partition on linux?

Finally...I cant access the internet i have a BT homehub im just wondering how i see available wireless networks throught my wireless card. Also do i need a driver for my wireless card under linux as you have to while under windows. the driver i got with my wireless card didnt say anything about linux drivers.

Thankyou, all help is appreciated and will help me immensley.

Rick

[techieMoe]

Welcome to the forum. As long as you're playing around with LiveCDs, I'd recommend you take a look at Ubuntu.

Will movies play on linux that play on windows?

For the most part, yes. However some will require special codecs. Some distributions (like Ubuntu) will ask if you'd like to let it download and install the proper codecs for you.

Finally...I cant access the internet i have a BT homehub im just wondering how i see available wireless networks throught my wireless card. Also do i need a driver for my wireless card under linux as you have to while under windows. the driver i got with my wireless card didnt say anything about linux drivers.

I'm not surprised that your wireless card didn't mention Linux. Most companies don't. What kind of wireless card is it? You may need to download drivers for it, but some chipsets have open-source Linux drivers available. Distributions like Ubuntu will offer you the option to download drivers for this (of course, you'll need access to a physical network connection if you want to download wireless drivers).

[r11ckp]

Thank you, i also have one called SLAX, it doesnt load though because my computers really slow. 1.2ghz, 9gig mem, 128ram.

Do you think 9gig of memory is enough to hold 2 operating systems (Windows and UBUNTU) and run them nicely?

[jmadero]

That's not enough space, it'll run Linux fine but windows is a inefficient beast that will suck that 9 gigs down extremely fast. So....not recommended to dual boot on a 9 gig hard drive.


jmadero

[techieMoe]

Thank you, i also have one called SLAX, it doesnt load though because my computers really slow. 1.2ghz, 9gig mem, 128ram.

Do you think 9gig of memory is enough to hold 2 operating systems (Windows and UBUNTU) and run them nicely?

As someone has already stated, 9GB just isn't quite enough space for both MS Windows and Linux. XP generally needs around 2GB just for the OS, not counting any applications or games you install on it.

With 128MB of RAM, regular Ubuntu probably won't load. The graphical LiveCD requires 192MB minimum. However, there are alternatives. Xubuntu is a version of Ubuntu with smaller system requirements (since it doesn't use the Gnome or KDE desktop environments, which need a lot of RAM). You might give that one a try.

Another distro that I've had perform well on older machines is Vector Linux, but it's not quite as easy to get around in as an Ubuntu derivative.

[jmadero]

It seems to me like your only two issues are RAM and HD space, 1.2 ghz is fine for both XP and Ubuntu. If this is a desktop I highly recommend just investing a hundred dollars into it to get 512 RAM and at min. 50 gig hard drive. I just checked on prices, you should be able to get an 80 gig hard drive for around $50, 1 gig of RAM (2 512 chips) run for about $40 online.

Hope this helps,
jmadero

[r11ckp]

cheers guys, ive just got an 80gig hard drive. And i think theres another slot for more ram on my laptop, im going to buy 512meg more off ebay. I will download and install ubuntu when i get it.

Will Ubuntu locate my wireless adapter and locate wireless networks automatically?

[techieMoe]

cheers guys, ive just got an 80gig hard drive. And i think theres another slot for more ram on my laptop, im going to buy 512meg more off ebay. I will download and install ubuntu when i get it.

Will Ubuntu locate my wireless adapter and locate wireless networks automatically?

That depends on what chipset your wireless card uses. To find out, boot with the LiveCD and see if it configures itself. If not, Ubuntu may also identify it but require special drivers. You can check this with the "Restricted Drivers Manager" application. If it knows what you have but needs special drivers, that's where it will show up. You'll need a wired internet connection to download the drivers, obviously.

[jmadero]

First off, be careful buying cheap RAM off of ebay (and also make sure you know what kind you need)...sometimes it's worth paying $20 more for something that's good quality.

Second, what wireless card do you have. The new Ubuntu Gutsy that just came out is extremely user friendly and will most likely detect wireless but ndiswrapper (linux wireless driver software) will allow you to force a windows driver into linux--I did this with Ubuntu Fiesty and never had a problem.

Hope this helps,
jmadero