Would like to learn about Linux and Virtual OS

barneysplash

Hi all

I have a "spare" computer that I would like to use to start
experimenting with Linux and Virtual Operating Systems.

I'd like to do cool things like making the computer
boot to a flash drive running Android or Linux etc.

Can anyone recommend a Linux version to get started with?

Can anyone recommend cool applications that Linux can offer?

Like what cool things can a Linux system do that Windows can't?

Nothing too technical please:) I know a bit about computers but
want to learn by doing - starting off with easy tasks.

I'm just looking for some ideas to mess around with.

The computer is a Dell Optiplex GX 620 running WIndows XP.

Cheers

MarkR

Well, if you want to preserve xp, you can install virtual box first. This allows you to load virtual os's on your computer without constantly wiping the hard drive.

Ubuntu is a popular version of linux, with a large forum to ask for help.

barneysplash

That virtual box looks like the kind of thing I'm after to get started.

What kind of applications can you run in Linux?

I know a PC repair shop that uses a machine with several Virtual
OS running for diagnosing and fixing computer problems, that sounds
very cool.

Thanks for posting

James G

I would start with Ubuntu, and then move on to something like Slackware. You should eventually try Arch Linux and Gentoo.

mach1982

I recomend Ubuntu, or Mint .You can download Virtual Box , and run any linux distro, andWindows . iI plannin on running virtual machine I a recomend you ramp up the ram to aleast 3GB.Also if look out fro linux fromat in bookshops, they always have fee bootable DVDs usalyl with more that one distro onthem.

Biggins

I second the Ubuntu route to start learning Linux.

I currently have a number of machines that use Unbuntu, Peppermint, Pinguy, Kbuntu, Mepis. Some of which are dual boots between one and the other - as well as Windows.

There are a lot other versions (including kids versions which I also have for machines. Qimo, Puppy Arcade, etc). Here is some other information:

* http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/how-to-run-linux-in-a-virtual-machine-697144
* http://www.techradar.com/news/networking/linux-networking-made-easy-718644
* http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/pc/10-linux-commands-for-beginners-684632
* http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/the-best-linux-distros-you-ve-never-heard-of-919411
* http://www.techradar.com/news/operating-systems/10-best-linux-distros-704584
* http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/8-of-the-best-web-browsers-for-linux-706580
* http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/how-linux-works-691811

barneysplash

I have downloaded the Ubuntu / Knoppix / Puppy Linux iso images.

That's my weekend project sorted!

Do I make a bootable CD from these iso images to take control
of a Windows based system by booting from the CD?

Do I just open these in Virtual box and they'll work?

Biggins

barneysplash wrote: »

I have downloaded the Ubuntu / Knoppix / Puppy Linux iso images.

That's my weekend project sorted!

Do I make a bootable CD from these iso images to take control
of a Windows based system by booting from the CD?

Do I just open these in Virtual box and they'll work?

Take Ubuntu for example.
Burn to cd. Ubuntu is a "live" cd. This means its designed to run right away (from the cd) if you allow it, to run in memory without having to actually install to your harddrive. Everything is for a live/demo run, put into temp memory (your RAM*).

Put into drive and reboot using the cd - providing that the pc's first option to boot up from - if not change it to that way (Don't know how? Come back and ask).
First eventual question will be "do you want to test Ubuntu" using the cd or "do you want to install"?

I suggest you chose the first option if you've not used Ubuntu before. As I said above everything will run just in memory and not from your harddrive where at that testing/viewing stage, nothing is installed - nor will be.

If you chose the second, Ubuntu will go through a series of straight forward questions with you (not that many, 6/7), it will then look at your hard-drive, display it in graphic form as well as text.
It will ask you do you want to install it alongside detected Windows?
(If so and you chose that option, it will then automatically using inbuilt software, divide (partition) your hard-drive to create a separate install area for Ubuntu.)
...Or install fresh having during the process wiped (formatted) the WHOLE harddrive?
...Or give you a manual option for advanced users (stay away unless you 100% know what your doing)!

If your just testing the Ubuntu system, there is no need to use the virtual app in Windows (you still can if you want to but it makes the testing/trial running of the cd - that is meant to kick in at start-up of a pc - more difficult. For your trying to run it on an already fully started pc.).
ALL your doing is running/testing/viewing the Ubuntu operating system completely from the cd and no files are effected on your hard drive unless your wish to save a created file later on while checking a word or graphic app (for example, etc) out.

You can if you wish use the virtual application if you wish to test out the install procedure without actually doing a genuine full install.
Either way, for 'installing' Ubuntu, you will see it is very straight forward.

Note, during the install procedure it will refer to a start-up tool called "Grub".
This is tiny app(lication) that kicks in as soon as you press the standard PC power button, on. "Grub" allows the display of the eventual options of starting up your pc with one operating system or another.

IMPORTANT: Remember to back-up any important files or work etc first, just in case something goes wrong.
It shouldn't with Ubuntu - but there is always the first time!


*Random Access Memory

barneysplash

Thanks for your concise and well-explained help Biggins, may the Lords of Kobol bless your path.

MarkR

barneysplash wrote: »

I have downloaded the Ubuntu / Knoppix / Puppy Linux iso images.

That's my weekend project sorted!

Do I make a bootable CD from these iso images to take control
of a Windows based system by booting from the CD?

Do I just open these in Virtual box and they'll work?

You can follow biggins advice, but that's for a complete install. Will wipe xp. Found this to help you.

http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch01.html#gui-createvm

MASTER...of the bra

Biggins wrote: »

Take Ubuntu for example.
Burn to cd. Ubuntu is a "live" cd. This means its designed to run right away (from the cd) if you allow it, to run in memory without having to actually install to your harddrive. Everything is for a live/demo run, put into temp memory (your RAM*).

Put into drive and reboot using the cd - providing that the pc's first option to boot up from - if not change it to that way (Don't know how? Come back and ask).
First eventual question will be "do you want to test Ubuntu" using the cd or "do you want to install"?

I suggest you chose the first option if you've not used Ubuntu before. As I said above everything will run just in memory and not from your harddrive where at that testing/viewing stage, nothing is installed - nor will be.

If you chose the second, Ubuntu will go through a series of straight forward questions with you (not that many, 6/7), it will then look at your hard-drive, display it in graphic form as well as text.
It will ask you do you want to install it alongside detected Windows?
(If so and you chose that option, it will then automatically using inbuilt software, divide (partition) your hard-drive to create a separate install area for Ubuntu.)
...Or install fresh having during the process wiped (formatted) the WHOLE harddrive?
...Or give you a manual option for advanced users (stay away unless you 100% know what your doing)!

If your just testing the Ubuntu system, there is no need to use the virtual app in Windows (you still can if you want to but it makes the testing/trial running of the cd - that is meant to kick in at start-up of a pc - more difficult. For your trying to run it on an already fully started pc.).
ALL your doing is running/testing/viewing the Ubuntu operating system completely from the cd and no files are effected on your hard drive unless your wish to save a created file later on while checking a word or graphic app (for example, etc) out.

You can if you wish use the virtual application if you wish to test out the install procedure without actually doing a genuine full install.
Either way, for 'installing' Ubuntu, you will see it is very straight forward.

Note, during the install procedure it will refer to a start-up tool called "Grub".
This is tiny app(lication) that kicks in as soon as you press the standard PC power button, on. "Grub" allows the display of the eventual options of starting up your pc with one operating system or another.

IMPORTANT: Remember to back-up any important files or work etc first, just in case something goes wrong.
It shouldn't with Ubuntu - but there is always the first time!


*Random Access Memory

MarkR wrote: »

You can follow biggins advice, but that's for a complete install. Will wipe xp. Found this to help you.

http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch01.html#gui-createvm

Biggins has a partition install explained there aswell. Very informative post.

Biggins

barneysplash wrote: »

Thanks for your concise and well-explained help Biggins, may the Lords of Kobol bless your path.

Your welcome. So say we all.

MarkR wrote: »

You can follow biggins advice, but that's for a complete install. Will wipe xp. Found this to help you.
http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch01.html#gui-createvm

I've installed Ubuntu alone a number of times alone and I've been given as one of the options, to install it along side XP if I wished to - but as the OP has said he is going the virtual route, this shouldn't be be a problem anyway if done right.