Calling all Linux haters ...

[Crixx_Creww]

which one of dese linux tingies have de fancy shmancy desktops an things

[vivman1107]

Try Mandriva One. That one has the 3D desktop built-in. It is a live CD and when you boot it you will get a prompt asking if you want to enable 3D effects. Download the KDE version with non-free drivers at this page:

http://www.mandriva.com/en/download/mandrivaone

[Prowl]

Something to remember, linux is linux is linux, it's what they package that makes the flavors different ( to some extent! ).

Suse is like Redhat/fedora and is the fulll suite for enterprise environs ( server ready etc ) and are a little challenging for a newbie. K/Ubuntu and mandriva are more home desktop oriented and easier for a newbie, So all those trying linux for the first time try those, then if your sticking it out long term or are more tech savvy ( if needed ) move up to Suse, redhat/fedora etc.

[Prowl]

Some thing else to help newbies

first is the distro comparison here

http://polishlinux.org/choose/comparison/

it is a tad out of date but close enough.

next is distro watch, lots of info on any distribution

http://distrowatch.com/

lastly for installing most linuxes ( suse and ubuntu ) on a laptop turn acpi OFF or you'll run into problems!

[Spazosaurus]

So I downloaded Mandriva One, tried it, does the same thing. It just freeses at a certain point in the booting process and no dice after that. There is no option to turn acpi on or off in the bios either, so I guess these Live distros cant work on this machine. Google searches come up with nothing either. Oh well, back to good ole Windows.

Edit: I decided to give it a try again, but this time, instead of selecting the 3d effect option, I chose no effects and it vooted. Typing this edit from within Mandriva One right now. I wonder if there is any way to install it with this cd to a separate partition without screwing with Windows.

[disciple]

good to hear that you got thru ( albeit with another distro)

the mandriva live cd ( from what the site says) is able to install, from the desktop


most modern distros come with partitioning software  that allow you to create a partition(or resize existing partitions) , install linux, and dual boot ( it installs a boot manager which will give you the choice of linux or xp)

just defrag first,and of course, backup important stuff

[Prowl]

Good work!

now I won't use the live cd but d/l a full install dvd and partition your drive from windows first.

I don't trust mandriva too much for partitioning from the live dvd ( most others explain why and don't let you use the live dvd for such! )

as said by disciple defrag and back up!

[richjob]

*bump*