Learning Linux :|

[Q-Dude]

Guys I am defenetly into learning linux but I Want to be bale to use it while on windows.

I tried VMWare out :S but for some reason every time I get to disk 2 it says either a file is missing, corrupt or the cd rw cannot read the cd media?

I have downloaded the 3 cd's from 3 different sources yet it still does not work - same error.

Anyone got something else in mind like VMware or anyone know something that will fix my problem?

regards

q-dude

[beley]

RedHat is very compatible with Windows... it'll install Lilo or Grub which will just bring up a menu when you boot - RedHat or Windows. Not sure what the problem is that you're having... with the CD... but wouldn't hurt trying to install RH.

[IdologicJeff]

It sounds like your second disk might be fubard. I'd download at least the second iso again and cut a new disk.

This happens to the best of us.

cheers
Jeff

[Adam]

Or if you're not up for the hassle of downloading it all just go to cheeplinux.co.uk and order the cd's. It's by far one of the cheapest if not the cheapest i can find. And its the best imo, never had a corrupt disk in all my time.

eBay however is a whole new story... :|

[Adam]

BTW that meant dont go to eBay for your disks lol.

I agree some sales are good there for software cd's but generally in my experience all linux cd's which have been manualyl downloaded and burned by the seller in most cases haven't been checked and therefore may be corrupt.

People get out of this by saying its sold "as-is" etc.. :)

[prowebuk]

for the iso files best place to look is linuxiso.org IMO, alternatively purchase the cds from a local computer store (quite a few big stores usually have them)

[Loren]

if you really want to learn the *nix OS really good, and have another computer (doesn't need to be beefy) slap just about any version of freebsd on there and just play with it. Yes PLAY WITH IT!!. thats the key is to just play with it, I may only be 18 but I've been able to put some good people that know much more then I do to shame. Just because I played with the software.

Oh and read a lot of how to's :)

Good luck and let the penguin (sp) be with you.

[Loren]

Oh one other thing, the risk with playing with it may be the following.

You will need to posiblly reinstall alot or use the backup files before modifying them.

But hey at least you will learn not to do that command again :p:

[Adam]

Use another computer on a network...once installed linux or whatever OS you want create an image of that computers hdd on another computer or a server; then everytime you mess up just reinstall from the image.. Simple and quicker :D

BTW while i agree "playing" is the best way forward...it will also do you good to get some high rated books...check out amazon.co.uk.

[GBHost]

If you are just beginning with linux, download Knoppix. You don't even need to install it. It's a bootable cd.

http://www.knoppix.net/

[Spencer]

Originally posted by GBHost:

If you are just beginning with linux, download Knoppix. You don't even need to install it. It's a bootable cd.

http://www.knoppix.net/ I know some people find Knoppix more complex than more traditional distributions. Therefore, I'm still in favor of recommending RedHat as an introductory Linux distro.

[projo]

Some additional possibilities:

1. Get a $50 harddrive switch and one or two additional harddrives. I got mine at Office Depot. It mounts in a drive slot and has three push button switches on the front. (With mine you have to change buttons before power is applied). Hard drives are cheap, especially from places like:
http://computergeeks.com/
http://computersurplusoutlet.com/

2. Get a couple hard drive cartridges (+ an extra hard drive). I have seen them for about $10 to $20 each.

3. For command line practice run linux from CD with a product like knoppix. It boots from a CD and runs from a ram disk but you have access to your windows partition/hard drive, so it makes a good recovery disk also, e.g. for file recovery when the OS is fried.
http://www.knoppix.net/

4. Take a free online course.
http://www.icanprogram.com/

5. For apache configuration and mysql practice, run them under windows.

6. Run linux from a windows directory.

When I learn I like to have everything as near to a production environment as possible, but sometimes compromises have to be made.

[projo]

http://www.stokely.com/unix.sysadm.resources/courses.html

[Presage_Reg]

When I installed linux on my windows PC, I suffered greatly. lol. I ended up repartitioning my drive more than a couple of times, and reloading windows.

Once I got it on, it worked great. Lots of patches though, but that is easy enough.

I start a UNIX and UNIX Server Adminstrators Course this week, so now maybe I'll actually use it.

[W-o-C Dave]

few handy links and tips for linux beginners ;) cheers