Help get rid of Windows

[Robthemod]

Hi,

I'm new here, and have a bit of a dilemma. I currently have Windows 98 on my PC and would like to move to Linux. However I have a lot of photographs, including many of my young son as a baby, that I can't afford to lose if I don't want to be strung up by my wife.

My understanding is that if I install Linux, the data format will be different so I'd lose all existing data. I can't move the data, because Win98 does not support any external type drive that I can find, so short of upgrading to Windows XP I can't see a way of moving the data off and then installing Linux.

So question 1, is it possible to install any version of Linux that will retain the data already on disk (FAT format)?

I do have a possible solution that I'm looking at. I've borrowed an IDE adapter that will enable me to remove my hard disk and attach it to my work PC. My intention is to then copy the Win 98 data to DVD and install Linux, which I believe will read the data on DVD?

Next, I have a work PC attached at home via broadband, and would like to network my personal PC so it also uses the broadband connection. I can't do this right now because Windows 98 doesn't support any NIC that I can get my hands on. I've got an IBM Ethernet Server adapter, but is this supported by Linux? The IBM website only contains details of Windows support. The plan is to use a hub attached to the ADSL router and attach the 2 pcs to the hub.

Alternatively, I've also considered setting up Wireless broadband, but again, all the USB connectors talk about Windows, so how do I find one that will work with Linux (I'm in this 'topic' because I'm thinking of installing SUSE Linux as it seems to have really good reviews and is affordable).

Sorry if much of this is kid's stuff, but without installing Linux I can't really get to grips with it, and I do want to move towards minimal reliance on Microsoft.

Thanks, Rob.

[kr4ey]

You can partition your hard drive and install Linux in new partition.
That way you will keep your Win98 install and have Linux too.
You will then have a dual boot install.
Or you can create a small partition and move all your files you want
to keep (make sure its big enough for you files) and install Linux on your Win98 partition. Or you backup your files CD or DVD.

[gogalthorp]

Ok You seem to have several misconceptions, but you instinct is right backup any important data before make major changes to your system.

I have no problem with burning CD's or connecting NIC cards in Win98 and connecting to broad band been doing it for years.

Linux will read/write to FAT partitions. No problem.

You can install Linux and keep a FAT partition, but you need space on the harddrive to install to. Chance are you have a rather small harddrive and most likly just a single partition (drive) This can be a problem. You need to resize the partition to allow room to install Linux or if you have multiple partitions delete one. For Suse I'd say a minimum of 10 gig if you want a usable desktop system with a bit of room for data. You might get "gparted" (Google is your friend) to re partition. But if you are committing to Linux and you have backed those important files zap the old Win98 stuff and install on a clean drive. Also I'd have at least 512 meg of RAM. It will run in less (256) but it will be slooow particularly because you most likely have a slow processor < 1ghz.

You are the only one that can determine what you have and what you want to do with the resources you have.

[linoleum13]

First of all, how much data are we talking about?

Can you burn the data to CD?

Also, you might be able to buy a router (you might want this anyway to connect the personal PC and the work PC to broadband anyway) and then do file transfers over to the work PC without installing/uninstalling anything. Getting the two windows boxes to talk can be tricky though.

Thirdly, I found this with a quick google search:
http://www.everythingusb.com/hardwar...Hard_Drive.htm

The article says it supports windows 98SE. Does that work?

Again, I would say that the amount of data you want to backup makes a huge difference. Post that and then maybe more help will be forthcoming.

[eraker]

One other thing: I noticed you mentioned that you posted here because you were "thinking of installing SUSE Linux as it seems to have really good reviews and is affordable."

If by "affordable" you meant anything other than "free", you should be aware that you can download
OpenSuse for free.

[Robthemod]

Thanks all for the feedback.

It was our PC guy at work who told me that FAT wasn't compatible with Linux. I'll tell him.

The main problem I have is with device support, because all the devices I've looked at appear to work with Windows 98SE, but not the older Windows 98. It seems to me that SE has considerably more USB support. SE seems to be difficult to find, so the only way I can see of getting the data off is to upgrade to XP first, which I don't really want to do.

My other option is to buy a new system and get the data off using the IDE device.

Thanks, Rob.

[Doog]

Or use a DVD burner or CD burner to backup your important files.
And then install Linux.
You never did mention how big your hard drive was?