[SOLVED] Need help. I'm lost

[FearNLoathing_in_LasLinux]

First off I'd like to say hello to all the mods and regular users that contribute to this site. Anyone who manages a support forum is an unsung hero in my eyes. With that said I'm hoping that someone will take the time to get me where I want to be.

I've always been a windows user and I'm quite proficient at it. Linux on the other hand I have never used until recently and I'm completely lost. Due to a virus infection on my XP I lost my liscense key and was locked out. I decided to swap the hd and load an old version of Fedora Core 1 that I happened to have on hand. The problem is that it's so outdated that I can't utilize most websites.

I've tried running the Fedora update tool but it freezes each time. I've tried following the instructions to update my flash but I'm missing libraries. I can't figure out how to install a media player that will actually play video. I'm learning the terminal commands bit by bit, but I'm getting nowhere fast. I've downloaded the Ubuntu ISO aswell as the newest Fedora ISO and I want to load them on a flash drive and install that way. One problem is that the flash drive won't auto mount and even if it did I can't figure out how you actually create the bootable image on the flash drive.

I've been doing constant searches on the topic but I'm just not familiar enough with the system to get my head around it. If anyone could help me out it would be more than greatly appreciated. I'm interested in learning all about linux but I need to get over these first few hurdles.

Thank you in advance for any help

[MikeTbob]

Hello and Welcome.
You can check the link in my signature to get started with lots of good info. You are correct, Fedora 1 is older than dirt. Does your system support booting from USB? How about booting from CD/DVD? It may be easiest for you to burn a CD/DVD and just reboot the machine. You mentioned Windows was trashed/locked...do you have anything besides Fedora on it? Is that was you are using now?
Can you post your system specs? CPU, RAM...Video card.

[FearNLoathing_in_LasLinux]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Processor: Intel Celeron D 2.8 GHz
Chipset: Intel 845GV
RAM 1gig DDR + 512mb DDR
Graphic Processor: Intel Extreme Graphic Card:Intel 845

My HD with XP had only XP on it. I plan on getting back to it so I can salvage all the content. I don't have an XP disc so I'm stuck right now. That's why I decided to grab another HD and load linux. I really can't survive without a computer so I'm glad I had the software. The HD I'm currently using was fully formatted and partitioned by the Fedora install program.

My pc can boot from usb and cd/dvd and I originally intended on the cd option. Problem is that I only had 1 cd left and I didn't get it right. I'm on a tight budget right now and I'd prefer not to go out an buy cds when I have a million flash drives laying around.

I'll check out that link as I'm always looking for new info and tips. I won't rest until I have Linux all figured out.

[Rubberman]

If you have a thumb drive, you can install a LiveUSB/installation disc image on that and boot from USB. The nice thing about them is that they are rewritable. There is a program on SourceForge.net: Download and Develop Open Source Software for Free called Unetbootin that runs on both Windows and Linux which will download and install on your thumb drive just about any current version of Linux such as Fedora, Ubuntu, etc. It creates a live USB drive that you can test drive, or use to install Linux on the system disc itself.

[FearNLoathing_in_LasLinux]

So do I download the program directly to the thumb drive or to my HD. I've been having a hard time trying to install programs despite the fact I'm following online directions. I'm thinking it's because this OS is so outdated, I'm not getting info specifically for this release.

I followed your link and searched usb boot. I started to download 'Billix" but I'm not sure where I'm putting it.

[ved]

i send this link it may be helpful for you

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

[FearNLoathing_in_LasLinux]

I actually downloaded that file earlier after I started browsing this site. I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to do with it. I'm used to the windows double click to install method. I have this file sitting on my desktop and I have no idea what to do with it.

This is horrible. I've worked on computers for years and I can do anything on windows but here I am looking at this darn file and I haven't a clue.

[yancek]

Try this link for unetbootin, has pretty detailed instructions:

UNetbootin - Homepage and Downloads

If you scroll about halfway down the page, you will see the window for unetbootin. If you already have an iso image, click the Disk Image radio button and make sure ISO is in the drop down box to the right. Then navigate to whatever folder contains the iso image which you should be able to do by clicking on the button with the dots ... on the far right. Haven't used this program for a while. Then you just follow the prompts.

I don't know anything about Billix. If you are unfamiliar with Linux, I would suggest you go to Distrowatch web site. They have Linux operating systems listed there by popularity and you should probably pick one from the top 20. If you do that, you can then go back to unetbootin and click the distribution radio button at the top instead.

Finally, I would suggest you read through the link above with the instructions a few times before beginning to familiarize yourself with the process.

[ved]

first you have to download the Unetbootin an install in window and follow the instruction asgiven link

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/#other

http://http://www.linuxforums.org/fo...ead-first.html

[FearNLoathing_in_LasLinux]

Once again thank you for all the help. I've followed all the links provided and instructions but I can get the program to start. What program should be associated with opening Unetbootin?

I'm making my way through this site and picking things up, but I still have a lot to learn.