Considering installing Linux on a newbs computer.

[swee08315]

to start off: I'm a long time Ubuntu user, and I've used a few other distros like Kubuntu.

I know this person who isn't very good with computers, I've had to fix his computer multiple times for him and it looks like this time I'll have to completely format the hard drive (this will be the second time I've had to do this).
It's a windows Xp computer and has been unusable for the past few days. I've lent them Ubuntu live USB and have taught them how to boot from it.

now this time, rather than reinstalling windows, I'm considering installing Ubuntu or some other distro instead. they've been using ubuntu from the USB and have said they are OK with it, but I'm not completely sure yet.

my questions:
1) is this a good idea, or should I leave them with windows?

2) are there any other distros I should look into that might be a bit more easier to use?

3) This one is Important: when booting from the live USB, their wireless card doesn't work and I'm going to need to find and download some drivers. It's a Dell computer, I'll put the model here when I figure it out.

4)anything else I should do after the Installation? I know theres alot of video and music codecs, along with flash that I'm going to have to make sure I install. am I missing anything?

[spacetekcrusaders]

To answer 1 - You should see what the person you are helping wants! If they love Windows, then they probably will not be happy if you install Linux instead. I am not sure what you mean by "they are ok with it" - I would do whatever your friend wants.
2) If your friend said they were ok with Ubuntu then why give them an easier one? Plus, I doubt your friend will have too much trouble with Ubuntu since it is so similiar to Windows.

3/4 - I do not know

[swee08315]

thanks for the feedback.

to clarify, my friends really doesn't know too much about computers, they're response is, "yeah, this looks cool"

I know ubuntu is alot more user friendly now, I was just wondering if you all felt that someone like that would be comfortable using it.

Also: is it possible for me to hide the Root User account from the login screen?

[MASONTX]

Ubuntu or Mint would be good choices for your friend. If you want all codec's etc included, look at Ultimate 2.8, available on distrowatch.com.

[GreenSkyChris]

3. It should work without downloading drivers as Ubuntu should come with an open source version of a wirelesss card driver that *should* work. It did with mine at least.

4.Dont think you missed anything, make sure you can play mp3's, view dvd's view PDF's and stream flash and they should be good to go.

Dont forget to do an "apt-get update" aswell .

[elija]

If your friend doesn't know much about Windows, they may have an easier time adjusting than a Windows power user as they have less knowledge to lose.

As well as Ubuntu, I would consider Linux Mint especially with Unity coming along as that may be too different; on the other hand it may be perfect for them. Another thing to think about is support. I guess you will be supporting this so it should also be something that you are comfortable with. No matter what you choose, be prepared to go back to Windows if they are not happy with it.

[spaceminer143]

I put Mint on my brother's computer, and even though he doesn't know a thing about linux he was able to appriciate the switch. I would say that you may as well give it a shot; linux isn't really any "harder" than windows, just different.

[sgosnell]

For a relatively computer-illiterate person, either Mint or Mint Debian Edition would be a better choice than standard Ubuntu, IMO. Mint has almost everything working out of the box. Mint Debian Edition is a rolling release, meaning all you have to do it keep up with the updates, there is never a need to reinstall the OS to upgrade. With Ubuntu, and to a somewhat lesser extent Mint, upgrading is more difficult, and Ubuntu spits out a new version every 6 months, ready or not. All too often lately, it hasn't been completely ready. Debian is a much more conservative distro, and updates are issued when they're ready, not before. Debian has a reputation for being difficult to install and get working, but that's not really true IME, and especially with the Mint edition. On my netbook everything worked out of the box, immediately, with no tweaking required. I've done a lot of tweaking anyway, and still haven't been able to break it.

[swee08315]

thank you all for the help.
I ended up giving them my live usb to install and gave instructions over the phone.
unfortunately their wireless is still not working' meaning that they need to install aditional drivers for their wireless card (I did this on my HP Notebook Before)
their system is a Dell Dimension 2400 and as far as I can till it doesn't come packaged with a wireless card, so I'm not sure what card they have.
How do I find out what graphics card they have?

[Jonathan183]

lspci
lsusb

first command will show graphics info and wireless except for a USB device, and the second should show that.

If you get the machine back to fix again I suggest you setup a dual boot, Windows + Mint Debian Edition. That way your friend can use Windows when they want or Linux when they want.