New to linux!

[lallous]

Hello , i am planning to install Red Hat 9.0 on my pc . I already have winxp so i plan to have a dual boot. I am doing some reading concerning commands,software... that linux has . But what i am afraid of is me ruining my data with incorrect partioning . Here is my case i got 4 partitions:

C: -->windows 40gb
D: --->games 30gb
E: --->Backup data 20gb
F: ---> For Red hat 15gb

First of all is there any newer version of Red Hat and should i start with RH or some other distro. 2nd, Is there any link where i can get "detailed" info on how to install my os , in this case on my 15 gb partition.

Thx for any help!

[arckane]

Sorry dude, late reply and all.

Trying to guide someone on Linux can be a bit difficult. There are so many distributions out there it's near on impossible to say that you will be particularly happy with any 1. Since we are talking complete Linux noob, I recommend trying Mandrake or Arklinux. Both have websites of www.theirdistroname.com. Both of these are aimed at the "new to linux" group and would certainly get you under way. The installation documentation is on their websites, you will need to follow that.

1 thing I will pre-warn you against is that although I have suggested these versions of Linux to try, do not think that they are the be-all and end-all of Linux. I see it as a goal to head towards Gentoo Linux as this is so customised for your system that it is classed as "pure".

2nd thing to warn about is that 4th partition, or F: as you refer to it. Linux doesn't use the Windows Partitioning scheme such as C:, D:, etc. To do a good install, in Windows go into your Disk Manager and physically delete that partition (the 15gb F:). Linux uses it's own filing system. Again, we are all about choice as there are 3 standard ones, and many more to choose from. The most common these days is called EXT3 and is similar to NTFS (security and journaling to help stop data loss should anything bad happen). Windows cannot see into these types of partitions though.

I've just had a thought. Since you are completely new to Linux and want to try it, why don't you just use a "Live Distro" (Distro means distribution, in case you hadn't gathered that yet). The most common and the one I suggest you try is Knoppix. It free to download and try. Just download the ISO file and burn with your favourite recording application (remember to burn the iso as an image, not as a file!!!). All you then need to do is boot off of that disc and you can try out Linux without ever installing anything and causing mayhem to your system.

I hope I've shed a little light on this rather large world for you.

To answer the last question, Redhat Fedora Core 2 is the latest non-beta release from the Redhat group. Anything less than that is now rather dated.

Regards

[lallous]

Wow i thank you for all the info u presented me with , i will check the link u posted and that info about the partitioning was really helpful :D

[arckane]

No problem Sir, I'm kinda passionate about Linux so anything I can help with don't hesitate to ask me.