Seeking Distro with specific parameters

[tlcmd]

Noobie here. Please bear with me.
This is a WHAT I WANTAND NEED IN A LINUX DISTRO, not a your preference request. Fairly literate with Windows XP, but would like to find a Linux Distro with specific features. Computer used for music (over 14k mp3, ogg Vorbis, etc files) and burning musical learning tracks (I'm a barbershopper) as well as simple surfing and email. Not a gamer.
Older Computer: PC with 1.4 GHz Athlon partitioned 320 Gig HD (Windows XP and a Linux Distro??)
Only have CD-ROM, cannot download & burn iso DVD's or upload from them. (Can do CD's)
Do have a 1 TG Verbatum external HD and a newer computer with a dvd recorder/player
So:
1) MUSTt have a distro that doesn't require a DVD for installation.
]2)MUST be able to "update" rather than re-install subsequent releases ( which require backing up files, etc)
3) Like the description of Linux Mint Helena, but it requires installation from a DVD and a re-install..
4) Free distro since I'm learning and trying out different OS's and really resent the increasing cost of Windows OS's as well as the complexity and problems with Windows.
I've found that UBUNTU 9.10 doesn't like me. I am very comfortable with LINUX MINT HELENA.

Thanks for your time and patience.

[jayd512]

Actually, Mint is downloaded on 1 CD. See here.
And if you keep a separate /home partition, you can just install your new version or other distro while keeping your files intact.

[scathefire]

zegenie Studios Linux Distribution Chooser

This quiz nailed me. I run suse

See if it helps

[tlcmd]

Thanks for the reply, but Linux Mint Helena KDE is 1.1 Gigs and does require a dvd. The regular Helena distro will fit on a cd (and I'm currently running this one). But still have to "back up" files and settings somewhere to install an upgrade since the Linux Mint re-installs completely..

[Rubberman]

1. Most have a live CD for installation.
2. Most do this automatically.
3. Never used Mint, but hear good things about it.
4. All distros are free, though generally you have to burn the cd/dvd.

Why does Ubuntu 9.10 disagree with you? Actually, it disagrees with a lot of people. I prefer 9.04 and you can still download it. One reason I bring up ubuntu is because of your audio interests. Unfortunately, after looking at the Ubuntu Studio web site, it seems that only DVD versions are available... doh! Don't suppose you can invest $50 in an external USB DVD drive?

Anyway, check out The Linux Home Page at Linux Online and use their search options to find a good distribution that will fit your needs.

[tlcmd]

Rubberman,
Thanks for the reply. Before I drop any cash into this old computer, which is running well on Windows XP, I'd like to find a Linux distro which works well and I like. One of my real frustrations is that Distros like Linux Mint KDE have minimal hardware requirements:
An X86_64 64 bit processor (Intel Core 2, AMD X2 64, etc…) .
A minimum of 4GB of free space and 256MB RAM are needed. For a comfortable experience we recommended to have at least 512MB RAM and 10GB of free space.

But you've got to have a cd/dvd drive which most older computers do not have.

Again, I'd also like to find a Distro that can be easily upgraded without jumping through hoops to avoid losing files, programs, and settings. In this respect, Windows has spoiled me.

Ubuntu 9.10: everytime I added and/or deleted a program, Ubuntu 9.10 would lose the login configuration settins. Neither Linux Mint 8 Helena nor Mandiva One did that. I am currently Running Mandiva one 2010 which I downloaded as a 700 mb torrent and to which I am adding the basics.

I've been told on the Mandiva Forum that
"Most and if I am not mistaking all of them {Linux Distros} they do update to the next without reloading the whole thing. There are 3 choices to upgrade.

1) Upgrade/Update Root and Home (does not delete data, just update)
2) Reload only Root (delete, reformat, reload) and leave untouched the Home Partition (it keeps most settings).
3) Save all your data and reload the whole thing (destructive method but you end up with a brand new install and upgrade)

How to Upgrade

You can do it via DVD or Network/Internet is your choice.


Again, thanks for the reply and suggestions.

Remember, I'm a noobie to Linux and starting with zero Linux knowledge and experience. But I'm really trying to learn.

Part of my learning problem is that there are not any real BASIC instructions. Between college and medical school, I sold pots and pans. My trainer told me to "talk to everyone like thay were in the 5th grade. Few would be insulted, but almost everyone would understand me." That lesson worked in my medical practice very well.

Unfortunately, right now, most 5th graders know much more about computers, hardware, software, and operating systems than I. I suppose I need another noobie "one grade level higher" than I to help me.

Thanks for the reply. Hopefully I'll make it to the 6th grade.

Dick