I need some help

[maxiscool]

If there was a definition of a linux noob, it would be me. I am so new to linux, I don't even fully understand the concept of a kernel. So here is the deal. I want to install linux on my old computer to see what it is like. I want to learn about programming in the process. Where should I start, what distro should I use?

If you have any other advice, it would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks,

Max

[DOllaBillz217]

I think Ubuntu is a good starting distro or Arch Linux. There is really no "bad" linux distro, just some more user friendly than others. But Ubuntu and Arch are very good learning distros I think. They have very user friendly GUI, but with a post like this you are going to get 50 different distro suggestions based on peoples likes. Try one and if you dont like it, get you another one. That is whats great about linux, their free so if you dont like it you can get rid of it and learning from scratch will make you that much better in the end.

[towy71]

You don't say how old the computer and the amount of ram, the latter is the crucial bit
If the computer is a 486 with 16Mb ram then DamnSmallLinux is the one for you, if you have a pIII or athlon and at least 128 Mb ram Xubuntu or Debian with one of the lightweight DE, anything better than the last with at least 256 Mb ram try anything that takes your fancy, but PCLinuxOS or Ubuntu have live CDs that you can try out before you install.
just remember to have fun

[maxiscool]

Here are my stats-

1gb ram
2.7ghz p4
120gb Hard Drive


There is also one more thing that I am worried about. if i install linux on my main PC, is there ANY possibility of my data being erased/corrupted? If so, I will install on my old PC.

Also, what about Fedora?

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

We can't tell you which one is best for you. Try as many as you can. You have to decide yourself. Check this Poll and the Link in my signature.

There is also one more thing that I am worried about. if i install linux on my main PC, is there ANY possibility of my data being erased/corrupted? If so, I will install on my old PC.

If you tell Linux Installer to use whole disk space for Installation, Installer will erase everything from Hard Disk. There is no chance of corruption though.
Create free space around 8-10GB for Linux. You can use any Windows based Partition Manager for that OR try GParted LiveCD.
Pick any Linux distro and Start Installation. Select 'Unpartitioned/Free Space' in Partition Section during installation. Installer will do rest of the work for you.

[maxiscool]

Ok, so I have downloaded Ubuntu onto a CD, and have already livebooted it on my mom's PC, but not either of mine. Here are my questions:

1. I built my main Windows PC. It has an Intel chipset and is only a few years old. When I try to access the BIOS to allow the Boot from CD function, I do not know what key to press. Which one should I push?

2. After dusting off my old PC (windows xp, 256mb ram, 11gb HD, P3) I just discovered that the disc drive does not work. I pried it open, inserted the disc and it still did not work. So, what I am wondering is can I download ubuntu onto a Flash Drive and then install it on that PC?

3. When I loaded Ubuntu with a LiveCD, I saw that everything was a GUI. Where does the programming aspect come in?

[devils casper]

1. I built my main Windows PC. It has an Intel chipset and is only a few years old. When I try to access the BIOS to allow the Boot from CD function, I do not know what key to press. Which one should I push?

Try Esc, Del, Ctrl+S or F8 keys.

2. After dusting off my old PC (windows xp, 256mb ram, 11gb HD, P3) I just discovered that the disc drive does not work. I pried it open, inserted the disc and it still did not work. So, what I am wondering is can I download ubuntu onto a Flash Drive and then install it on that PC?

Does your Machine's BIOS support booting up from Flash Drive?

3. When I loaded Ubuntu with a LiveCD, I saw that everything was a GUI. Where does the programming aspect come in?

You can write code using text editor gedit or in Terminal using vi or nano. A lot of IDEs are also available.

[DOllaBillz217]

Or in Ubuntu you can change you /etc/inittab file and change the default:id5:inttab to 3 instead of 5 and you will get no GUI at all if that is really what you want. But otherwise like Casper said, I just boot into the GUI and use terminal to do all my exploring and coding using VI

[devils casper]

Or in Ubuntu you can change you /etc/inittab file and change the default:id5:inttab to 3 instead of 5 and you will get no GUI at all if that is really what you want.

there is no /etc/inittab file in Ubuntu. Unlike all other distros, Ubuntu use upstart instead of 'sysinit'. one has to pass keyword single to kernel for booting up in command line mode.