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Hi Folks
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Hope you do not mind an inquiry from a Linux novice. I do not know much about Linux but I do know that I'm tired of Microsoft and I write to seek advice as to whether or not my system is suitable for Linux. It is a Dell Dimension 2400 bought about a year ago. Pentium IV, 2.2GHz, 1GB memory, 6 USB 2.0 ports, and 3 bootable devices (1.44MB Floppy/CD-RW Unit/Hard Disk ”C”). A home system, it has no network connections and uses a dial-up telephone connection. As to hard disks - I rewired the system into a somewhat different configuration. I made my boot drive removable and the entire system simply becomes a resource for any operating system plugged in as “C”. The system uses EIDE UDMA Mode 5 internally and it was delivered with Windows XP on a 40GB drive formatted entirely in NTFS (the drive now being pluggable, for Linux purposes it will be set aside and ignored). Next step was building a resource base for both Linux and Windows so I installed 2 internal 160GB drives and formatted them as single partitions in FAT32. For backup purposes, I picked up 2, self-powered, external drive housings which can link standard EIDE drives to the system via USB 2.0. These were fitted with 200GB drives and rotating the units will provide an on-going solution for backups. As to Linux, a second carrier for the removable “C” drive has been loaded with a new 120GB drive and it is ready to be formatted to get started. A few questions arise and research on the web has found many contradictory results, most apparently being “best guesses” posted by users in various forums, so I seek your advice regarding what may be potential problems: 1) The system uses a wireless, RF, keyboard and mouse with both communicating through a single receiver module that plugs into a USB 2.0 port. I have already had to add a second PS/2 mouse since some applications could not detect the wireless model so I wonder if Linux will be able to run with such hardware. 2) Another potential problem may result from the system not having a separate card to drive the display, it instead uses an Intel chipset dedicated to the function on the motherboard. Would this present a problem? 3) Next question involves allocation of the Linux “C” drive. Being new to Linux, I hear of EXT2, EXT3, swap files, etc., and have flashbacks of spending many hours over past years attempting to master MS-DOS setups only to still have Windows continue giving me “blue screens” on a regular basis. With 320GB of shared resources aboard the system and 120GB exclusively available to Linux on it's dedicated “C” drive, can you recommend how I might format and/or partition the 120GB drive to provide the best environment for Debian? 4) Lastly, I hope you will not mind me mentioning Knoppix but I have seen impressive screen shots of it while there are very few available for Debian. Knoppix however appears to be merely an introductory vehicle for Linux so my thinking is that I may as well skip it and instead go straight to the full capabilities of Debian even though it will likely involve considerable research before I can fully utilize it. Any thoughts for a novice about to venture into Debian? I will sincerely appreciate any advice you might offer. Many thanks - Joe |