linux, ubuntu

[jaws180]

Linux , Ubuntu is there a difference??

I am totally new to Linux as i have always worked through the windows throughout the years upon looking for new jobs i have seen linux on quite a few requirements i have downloaded the latest Ubuntu and put it on cd it looks sharp , runs well and seems like could be a good program.

Mainly wanting to know though what i am dealing with before proceeding into unknown teritories.

Any advice anyone could give would be greatly appreciated.

[bclintbe]

Ubuntu is just one version (often referred to as a distribution or just "distro") of Linux.

This is not like saying there is Windows 98, XP, Vista. Instead, imagine a world where Microsoft was just one company making Windows; you would be able to go out and get the latest version of Windows made by Microsoft or one of its competitors. They would all be the latest version, just that each company would put their own focus on particular features.

To see a big list of other distros, go to distrowatch.com .

That said, Ubuntu is a good place to start in Linux. As a suggestion, you might also want to try Linux Mint; it's a bit more ready "out of the box" with things like codecs and flash installed already.

[stroyal]

I like Ubuntu, and I've tried many over the years.

The latest editions on Ubuntu, and other Distros of Linux have become easier than windows to install.

It is no harder than learning a new version of windows, and really has no weak points,,unless you are into high performance gaming.

I am mostly a windows user, but have no problem moving to Linux.

I use Open Office and Firefox, in Windows, and in Ubuntu, and there is no difference what so ever, to the user.

The biggest problem you will have is browsing through the thousands, of free programs, and deciding what you want.

You may want to look into dual boot, with Windows, or just run it from the CD, and keep Windows.

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.
As long as you don't want to know about the text bast interface, but how often do you need DOS with windows anymore.

[jaws180]

Thanks for the replies nice to know I am on the right track then I like the idea that Ubuntu has office built in a nice touch considering how much microsoft charge for such applications.

I was thinking of the Dual boot option as the mrs uses this machine too and not sure how she will adapt to Ubuntu to start with and untill i get me head around it to be able to teach her.

[de_day]

I like Linux Mint, which is based on Ubuntu. It runs well on my $200 laptop. I created a user for my wife and she moved to it even easier than Windows. She uses Firefox and does email, Facebook and pays online bills with no problem. And no blue screens. Which was always frustrating her before.

It's a great prgoram and runs well.

[jbaksta]

So this thread got me interested in this forum. I have had my fill of answering peoples questions on Yahoo. It was fun for awhile. Anyways, in response to you questions about Linux. Maybe I can shed some more light on what already seems to be a well lit beginners path.

Linux - is the base of all "Linux" distributions. It's a kernel which talks to the hardware like your keyboard, mouse, hdd, etc. Kernel 3.0.0 was just recently released and I am looking forward to upgrading once I have some downtime.

Ubuntu is a distribution of Linux as the above members have mentioned. I run a variant of Ubuntu called Ultimate Edition on my laptop just to show off to my buddies. Ubuntu is by far one of easiest Linux distributions to learn on. It's got a good graphical interface (at least Gnome was, I'm indifferent on Unity so far. It looks like a Mac to me). It has an unreal amount of software available for it. There is a lot of driver support right out of the box.

I have also run several other distros that are extremely useful as well. I have this old IBM laptop (old like Win 98 old) that I have Puppy Linux on and it's so quick compared to some XP machines I have used. I have also used Fedora/RedHat and OpenSUSE. One thing you should know, is that there are basically 3 big Linux starting points and most develop from there. There is Debian, RedHat, and Novell.

If you want to know more about Ubuntu, burn the ISO and run it Live, yes Live. Most Linux distributions can be run directly from the CD/DVD. Although it lacks total customization, I always keep 1 LiveCD around in one of my computers has any issues.

I completely agree with the dual boot option. Just make sure you don't just walk away from Linux and delete your Linux Partition. GRUB (bootloader) won't like it and you will need to use a windows recovery disc to get the main windows one back.

Anyways, if you have more question or want to know any sweet little tricks in Linux, let me know! Happy computing!

[stroyal]

Welcome to TechIMO!

Most of our questions, concern Windows, but most of us know Linux, and we do get questions on that also.
Only a few of us do Tech support, on a regular basis, so there will be plenty of opertunities.

[jaws180]

Hi thanks for responses i have installed the Ubuntu, upon installing couldnt get pc to boot at all , then got it to boot in Ubuntu but wouldnt give option to boot in windows, as mentioned above i need it to boot on both so could do with some help setting up the Grub to make it boot in both the only way i got it back on with windows was to fix the Mbr, anyone help with this i realise it will be most likely a command prompt repair.

[stroyal]

I warned you about Me and command prompts.

I have never dual booted, (maybe once) as I always have extra computers.
I also tried it a few months ago, and because of a quirk, in my BIOS, and my inattention
I wiped out, my main drive, and my backup drive. (2 separate screw ups for the same reason)
Luckily. I have more than 2 backups.

I would try it again, if I needed to, as I know exactly what I did wrong.
My BIOS won't install to a SATA drive, if there is a IDE drive connected.
The 2 drives are exactly the same size, and I wasn't paying attention.

Windows has to be loaded first, and you have to be careful, when setting up the partitions when you install Linux in dual boot.
But Ubuntu, usually walks you through it.

We have several members, that can help better than me, if they see this post.
If you don't get a response, PM someone else on this thread, maybe jbaksta, he seem knowledgeable, on dual boot.

[jbaksta]

I have to ask how you installed it? Did you use the WUBI method. I have used that once and it turned out to be a disaster. Anyways, if you want to replace the mbr, you will need a windows rescue CD. Which version of Windows do you have? I can post some links that will help you get the windows mbr back. If you want to install Linux, and you only have one hdd. I would do something like this with partitions

|---Windows---|---Media---|--swap space---|---Linux---|

The media partiton will allow you to have important files that you may need on both systems. This is how I have my computer set up and it works very well. Although now with Linux supporting NTFS as a read/write system, it's somewhat unnecessary. You can check the boot record inside ubuntu to make sure that GRUB is seeing your Windows disk/partition. But go through the steps on this link

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

[jaws180]

hi i downloaded Ubuntu iso copied to cd then ran cd from pc turn on boot, i already have windpws xp home installed and went through the process of setup , i decided to share the hard drive between the two as i dont normally use much space on them anyways so they got about 70gb each give or take, when i went to boot i got nothing except for eventually ubuntu after a msg saying "out of range", not impressed with only been able to get on 1 os i decided to run my windows disk and go into the command prompt under windows install and went for Fixmbr as a result i then got windows back on for boot but now Ubuntu doesnt? i need the option to choose and belive it would be the boot record i need to change.

Not sure if this helps?

[jbaksta]

So let me understand this correctly?

1. Burn iso to CD/DVD
2. Restart computer and boot from CD/DVD
3. Install Ubuntu using the GUI installer
4. Restarted computer without CD/DVD in optical drive
5. Boot into Ubuntu as default OS

The message out of range usually means some issue with the Xorg.conf file in ubuntu. Can you tell me which exact version of Ubuntu you are using? Is it 11.04?

You can try this method on a way to regenerate a correct grub file:

Restoring the Grub after reinstalling Windows

or follow this guide to use the windows mbr.

How to boot Linux using Windows bootloader (XP) | Blah Blah Blah

Anytime you dual boot a system, you should have the ability to select your OS with the arrow keys before going into the default OS

[Taxmancometh]

Download EasyBCD 2.1 - NeoSmart Technologies

[jbaksta]

That seems like a good link Taxmancometh! I am comfortable editing the GRUB conf file, so I won't try it. But it may be the solution jaws180 is looking for!

[jaws180]

So let me understand this correctly?

1. Burn iso to CD/DVD
2. Restart computer and boot from CD/DVD
3. Install Ubuntu using the GUI installer
4. Restarted computer without CD/DVD in optical drive
5. Boot into Ubuntu as default OS

The message out of range usually means some issue with the Xorg.conf file in ubuntu. Can you tell me which exact version of Ubuntu you are using? Is it 11.04?

You can try this method on a way to regenerate a correct grub file:

Restoring the Grub after reinstalling Windows

or follow this guide to use the windows mbr.

How to boot Linux using Windows bootloader (XP) | Blah Blah Blah

Anytime you dual boot a system, you should have the ability to select your OS with the arrow keys before going into the default OS

Still having few issues with this jbaksta as like mentioned before i am new to the Ubuntu i have tried to boot using the Live cd (11.04) version, cannot seem to get into the cmd prompt for Ubuntu any ideas? is there a quick way using windows cmd as i can get in that as thats what im presently using. Cheers for now

[jbaksta]

Sorry for the delay in reply. I was moving back to college.

In Linux, it's called a terminal. When you boot into a liveCD you should easily be able to get into a terminal. The reason is that the Windows CMD is much less powerful than the Linux terminal. I am not sure the terminal application is located on Unity desktop environment, but it's there somewhere. I will make a Live Disc and let you know. I do run windows7 not XP but I imagine the bootloader is fairly similar. I hope to post tonight.

Good Luck.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

In Ubuntu you can use [Ctrl] + [Alt] + [T] to open a Terminal window.

[jaws180]

Download EasyBCD 2.1 - NeoSmart Technologies

Hi Taxmancometh I downloaded the EasyBCD 2.1 upon installing and running the software it then tells me that I need the bootloader for Windows Vista / 7 and will not run in Windows Xp alone so i`m still stuck in same position

[Taxmancometh]

Are there options there that you can play around with? I never used the utility my self, but I know it should work for dual booting Linux and Windows. There is another utility that will do the same thing, but for the life of me I can't remember its name.

[Taxmancometh]

Reinstall Ubuntu Grub Bootloader After Windows Wipes it Out - How-To Geek

Dual-Boot Linux and Windows 2000/Windows XP with GRUB HOWTO

Here's the other utility I know of. GParted -- About