Very New; Haven't even installed yet. Confused.

[newbieshoobie]

Need some help. I have read so much install information about SUSE it is unreal. Yet, I am still confused. I have downloaded the SUSE Open Source 11 from a link I got here. The first one I downloaded was an enterprise and I decided against it. So my problem is that all of the instructions for partitioning to have a dual boot system are very confusing. Right now the computer I want to do this with is already partitioned with Windows living on C (of course) and my files living on D. I am not worried about losing the files because they are all backed up on an external and also on two other machines. So, do I need to re-install Windows and partition wiping our the D drive? Or will SUSE just write itself over these files to partition differently leaving Windows to just hang out on it's C drive. I guess I need layman Installation for Dummies type info. Thank you to any one who helps in advance.
I also wanted to know if I should install Gnome or KDE; I had heard I could do both but that might just add to my confusion, so maybe one at a time here.

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

You can check the link in my signature for lots of good information on getting started with Linux. You'll find a link there that will help to pick your first distros, and another that will give instructions for downloading and burning the ISO files to disk. After you boot with the Linux installation CD, the installation routine should give you options to either replace Windows with Linux, or to install Linux along side of Windows and then to dual boot between them. Going with Gnome and/or KDE is purely a matter of personal preference and you won't know your own preference until you've tried them both.

Hope you have fun with Linux and enjoy yourself here at the forums.

[newbieshoobie]

ThanK you.

[newbieshoobie]

OK, I did all of that. I kinda of liked the sound of ZenLinux. Anyway, now my next question: How come when I downloaded the live CD of open Linux SUSE it took like 1/2 a second and when I download other versions it takes longer? What exactly is a live CD. Do I still burn the ISOs to disk to boot? I don't have any DVDs right now only CDs which is why I chose live CD. I am still going to install SUSE for now. I'll try ZEN later or PCLinux. Unless this live CD thing is a dud then I will install ZEN or PC now, lol. I apologize for my ignorance. I await your expertise.
< I love this guy, ganna find a dancing banana desktop one day.

[oz]

I don't think there are any distros that will download in 1/2 of a second, so something must have gone wrong there.

A liveCD is bootable and will run Linux directly from the CD if you put it in your drive, set your machine to boot from the CD drive before the hard disk, then reboot your machine.

Yes, you burn the ISO file for a liveCD just like you would a distribution that is not on a liveCD.

[newbieshoobie]

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the very useful info. I will try to ask less questions. lol. Again thanx. One day I will be able to program the darn thing all by myself and not need the same kind of redundant help.