New to Linux -- which distro should I try first?

[karina]

Hello, I am trying to install linux on a pretty old laptop -- a Compaq Presario 1694 -- and am running into some problems.

I come from a MAC and WinXP background, so for my first distro, I would like something that is fairly easy to use... yet full featured. If I had to choose from the categories listed on linux.org, I would say "minimalist" and "mainstream."

I've tried Ubuntu and Fedora so far (the latest versions of each) and both would not work on my laptop. Ubuntu would eventually just freeze on a white screen and Fedora would freeze somewhere along the line during the install process as well, after inserting the second CD. I've tried Damn Small Linux as well, which worked, but I want something that will remain on the hard drive and with a little more features.

Can anyone recommend a good, simple, easy to use distro that would work smoothly with the archaic hardware in my Presario? Any help at all is much appreciated... thanks!

[devils casper]

hi karina,

Welcome to the LinuxForums.

try any lightweight distro on that machine. we can't tell you which distro is best for you. check lightweight distro post in this thread.