I have Ubuntu CD ISO downloading now. I am planning to install on an older Dell laptop. Just wondering if any of you use it, if you would be as generous as to help me through the installation (im pretty skilled with computers, so with a tutorial I should be good, but incase I get stuck) via AIM. I will post about how it goes here, but I might need to talk to you in real time.

It is an ancient laptop but I only need the internet to work and ebook reader like acrobat. I thought this would be a good time to try this out since my laptop is dead (software wise, needs format) and I can't find any of my XP cds.

Thanks, John
AIM SN: "jlimedia"

Greetings,

I used to use Ubuntu but, I let my parents use my old laptop and put Windows XP Media Edition back on because they do not know anything about Ubuntu. Overall it was a great operating system and I had no issues installing the OS. Here are some great tutorials I found via Google that should be very benificial if you happen to get stuck http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...earch&aq=f&oq=

Also, since you are working on an older machine I would suggest making sure your computer meets the Ubuntu computer requirements http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/ubu...uirements.html

The great thing is your laptop is old. So, for some reason if you can not get it to work your really not out anything. Best of luck to you let us know how it goes.

I use linux, but not ubuntu.
If ever, ask a question in the computer forum. If I can be of help, I'll answer.

I use Ubuntu Intrepid on my "old" dell laptop and it works great. You might need to use ndiswrapper for your wireless card to make it work though, just a warning. That's the only thing I've had a problem with.

I used Ubuntu for about 6 months during last year. I really liked it and the range of software that you can get is increasing rapidly as well as getting to a good standard.

Installation is easy, as long as you've got the live cd. If not it's still not hard. I installed Ubuntu Studio without live CD functionality without problems. If you do run into trouble, chances are your question will have already been answered on the forums on the Ubuntu site. The community surrounding it is amongst the best and most collaborative I've ever seen.

Get in there early, that's what I say. It'll be everywhere in 10 years.

Well Jason you anticipated my next question

I got it installed succesfully after about 3 trys (computer would lock up but it think it had to do with slower cd reading speeds because of external CD drive). First thing I needed was web working and as you said Jason, I couldn't get my linksys WPC11 Version 4 wifi card to work. I have tried every type of driver I could find, not that I can accurately assess them as I'm not even sure how to install things in Ubuntu.

I have heard a lot of people mentioning ndiswrapper so I will try this next. Hopefully my next post will be from my laptop in the comfort of my bed! Thanks for replies everyone.

EDIT: Ok, after searching high and low I realized I didn't need any driver lol. It was already there I just needed to configure the network properly and I got it now. Next is acrobat and my PHP eBook so I can start learning PHP again. That was the main reason I needed this laptop working again is for ebooks I read at night.

i used ubuntu before its environment is really different...its not a user friendly for windows user! try a different LINUX OS..

try a different LINUX OS.

No need to.
Install KdE or xfce4.
The interface is dependant of the desktop manager you choose.

Gnome, which is the default for ubuntu, mimicks more osx, with a "less clutter for more clarity" approach, where KDE is more on "windows has this like that, let's do it the same way"

KDE:
http://www.kde.org/


Gnome :
http://www.gnome.org/

I installed ubuntu (Gnome desktop) and kubuntu (KDE desktop) they kinda slow in loading applications, I switch to Debian which is the most stable system I ever tried.

Try both... You can use KDE or Gnome for whatever linux OS you are installing... I use gnome because it comes packaged with ubuntu and just feels right to me. I could use KDE as well, but I am not as familiar with it! Maybe if I tried it out more I would like it