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I'm currently a windows XP user and I need some advice. I want Linux, but my older brother keeps telling me I'm gonna mess up my computer because he tried ...
  1. 08-19-2008 #1
    yerer0
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    Pondering Linux need advice

    I'm currently a windows XP user and I need some advice. I want Linux, but my older brother keeps telling me I'm gonna mess up my computer because he tried awhile ago and it didn't work well as a dual boot. Also, he said that the wireless adapter I'm using doesn't work with Linux. Is there any way to fix that? He also says I don't need Linux for anything. I've seen what people say are better, but he just says Linux is not for me.
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  2. 08-19-2008 #2
    oz
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    Welcome to the forums!

    Unless you feel obligated for some reason to abide by whatever your brother tells you to do, you should probably make a good backup of your current Windows setup, then commence to installing Linux so that you can decide for yourself whether or not it's for you.

    Good luck with it.
    oz

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  3. 08-19-2008 #3
    yerer0
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    THanks

    Okay. But what about the wireless adapter? He says it doesn't work with linux because it's made by microsoft. Can I get past that?
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  4. 08-19-2008 #4
    happypandaface
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    Whats the name of the wireless adapter?
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  5. 08-19-2008 #5
    kostasan
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    The easiest way by far to install Linux, since you haven't used it before and maight want to unistall it later is the following:
    Download the desktop version of Ubuntu Download Ubuntu | Ubuntu
    Boot into Windows.
    Insert the cd. It will autorun and you will see an installation window.
    Tell it how much space you want it to use as well as your timezone and username/password.
    It will be installed and adjust the Windows boot loader so you can select Ubuntu or Windows during boot.
    If you find that you don't like it, just unistall it like a Windows application!! How much easier can it get???

    The drawback is that Ubuntu won't be as fast as if you install it the classic way(it will still be faster than Windows), with its own partitions and bootloader. But you can do that in the future when you feel comfortable with Linux.
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  6. 08-19-2008 #6
    elija
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    Quote Originally Posted by yerer0 View Post
    Okay. But what about the wireless adapter? He says it doesn't work with linux because it's made by microsoft. Can I get past that?
    If you are having problems with a wireless adapter in Linux there is a thing called ndiswrapper which allows you to use Windows drivers. I have never had to use it purely by luck I suspect.
    If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate! (Zapp Brannigan)


    My new blog. It's probably not as good as I think it is.
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  7. 08-19-2008 #7
    yerer0
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    Thanks

    Thanks everyone. It's an mn-510.
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  8. 08-19-2008 #8
    elija
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    Honestly, the simplest way is to download, burn and boot from a live cd. It is a completely no risk way to test your hardware. No installation required.

    Runs from CD so runs sloooooooow though

    [edit]
    A quick Google looks encouraging
    [/edit]
    If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate! (Zapp Brannigan)


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  9. 08-19-2008 #9
    oz
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    Yep, the LiveCD test is probably the quickest way to check out Linux on your hardware.

    Have fun with it!
    oz

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