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I've never even dabbled in Linux...so complete noob here.
I have an older Dell computer, Pentium 4, probably a 2.4Ghz. I was thinking to try Linux on it. Where would I get drivers? Cause Dell only has drivers for XP or Vista. This comp was given to me as part trade, for building a brand new one.
I thought about just dropping an xp load one it, but then decided, why not LInux.
Anyone want to give me the guided tour?
I've found Ubuntu is pretty good at having most of the drivers necessary.I've installed it on my Toshiba Netbook and ran it from a Live usb http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=811397,on my newest build , until my copy of Win7 arrived .It worked flawlessly ,and allowed me Internet access and provided me with a distraction during the wait.
Thanks wonderinguy, I'll check it out.
Did I mention the computer has no harddrive yet. I would just install Linux not run from USB, in fact, I doubt this 7 year old computer will boot from USB.
Ubuntu can boot and run directly from a 'Live CD', (although this is usually slower than running Ubuntu from a HD. This allows the user to test-drive the OS for hardware compatibility and driver support. The CD also contains the Ubiquity installer, which can then guide the user through the permanent installation process. Installing from the CD requires a minimum of 256 MiB of RAM.
http://www.ubuntu.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_...ting_system%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_cd
http://livecdlist.com/
Okay Doc. Thanks. I'll look things over when I get time.
Boot from the CD and run it "Live" first, if everything works OK, then you know that you won't have to hunt for drivers. Ubuntu is particularly good with driver support, and rarely has a problenm with even the very latest hardware, let alone older stuff :)
Yeah, well, I have a few weeks to wait because I forgot the dvd drive in this computer is bad. I've been meaning to order another but things seem to get in the way.
but I'll do that what you said Nick.
New CD/DVD burners usually run about $20 or so.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_sc...ner&sort=price
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Did you look in the BIOS to see if it has the option to boot from USB?
I was going to suggest booting from a USB drive, that's what I usually do, but I assumed that the PC would be too old. If it can boot from USB, a 1 or 2 GB stick is all that you need. You can make a bootable USB stick very easily with either of these:
UNetbootin
Universal USB Installer
It's too old for USB boot Nick, I tried that when I had to work on it once.
Doc, I know the prices are low but right now I can't rub two nickels toether to make a dime.
Sorry to hear that. :(
Here's hoping that'll change soon. :)
Oh it will. I'm on a fixed income. I pay the bills, and usually have no money left to buy extras.
Quote:
Originally Posted by photolady
ODD??? My old Athlon 1.2 Ghz(circa 1999-2000 ) would boot from USB,the USB stick had to be plugged in before USB will show up in the BIOS boot options though.Granted it was a homebuilt and not a Branded computer i.e. DELL.
Does it currently have Windows on it? because you can run the Ubuntu installer (wubi ) from within windows.
No, it doesn't even have a hdd in there yet. I haven't decided which one I want to use.
I've been using Oracle Virtual Box (Free), it seems like the best way to try or run almost any Linux program. No Hard drive needed, install from DVD or CD.
Hope this helps.
I know I'll get a lot of answers but please see that I've already said this computer doesn't have a cd/dvd drive yet. Actually, I would like to install it, but using the boot cd to see if there will be drivers. If the drivers aren't a problem, I will install a Linux distro of some kind.
And which ever version I install has to be as much like Windows as possible.
Most current distributions of linux should be able to handle drivers for that laptop without any issues.
I'm currently running a Dell XPS L702x (6 months old), I installed Slackware 13.37 and everything worked out of the box....sort of....
The only things I needed to do after the install were...
1- Install WICD to setup the wireless nic.
2- Install bumblebee to handle the dual video processors (no native Optimus support in Linux)
There are many, many flavors of linux out there, and the live cd's are a good way (although slow) to check them out to find one that suits you.
I've tried many, yet, always end up going back to Slackware.....
It's not a laptop, it's a Dell Deminsion 1100 desktop, era 2006. My laptop is brand new, and has Windows 7 on it.Quote:
for that laptop
My bad, either way you shouldn't have any driver issues with a current linux distro...
FWIW ...Quote:
Originally Posted by photolady
Newegg > Samsung 22X DVD Burner - $13.99 Free Shipping
This computer doesn't have SATA ports, only IDE and I have yet to find a new IDE burner/cd rom or dvd drive.
Yep, IDE stuff is fading fast. There are still a few listed on Amazon.com though:
LG GH22NP21 22X E-IDE Super Multi DVD+/-RW Internal Drive, Bulk No Software Included (Black)
LG GH22NP20 22x DVD±RW Super Multi Drive Double-layer - DVD-RAM/±R/±RW - 22x 8x 16x (DVD) - 48x 32x 48x (CD) - EIDE/ATAPI - Internal - Black - Bulk
Sony DRU-810A Internal Double/Dual Layer and Dual Format DVD Burner
Did you see the prices on them dang things? Out of my price range. I'll have to check my closet because I did have a DVD-rom drive up there that is IDE.
If you don't need a burner, Newegg has a new IDE CD/DVD drive for $19.99 plus $4.99 shipping. Of course if you find yours, and it still works . . . :)
Yes, I saw that but I have decided to just scrap the computer. It's like it is going to cost me more than I first expected it too with new harddrive and cd drive, I didn't really want to spend that much on it since it's seven years old.
I'm going to strip it and give the shell to my nephew who does scraping.
Too bad you don't live next door. Bunch of old stuff around here you could have.
Well, yeah, but that's one of the drawbacks of having virtual friends, eh.Quote:
Too bad you don't live next door. Bunch of old stuff around here you could have.
Very true.