Is Ubuntu Safe for My Laptop's Hard Drive?

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SUMMARY

Ubuntu is recommended as the easiest Linux distribution for beginners, particularly for users with limited experience, such as those transitioning from Windows Vista. The latest version, Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon, is noted for its compatibility with Intel graphics and wireless chipsets, making it suitable for mainstream laptops. Users should be aware of potential power management issues that may affect hard drive longevity, as aggressive settings in Ubuntu could lead to premature wear. The community support for Ubuntu is robust, providing ample resources for troubleshooting and learning.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of operating systems (OS) and Linux distributions
  • Familiarity with computer hardware specifications, particularly chipsets
  • Knowledge of networking concepts, especially related to network interface cards (NICs)
  • Experience with terminal commands and system configuration
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon installation and setup procedures
  • Explore the use of NDIS Wrapper for Windows driver compatibility on Linux
  • Investigate power management settings in Ubuntu using "hdparm"
  • Learn about troubleshooting wireless connectivity issues in Linux environments
USEFUL FOR

Beginner Linux users, individuals transitioning from Windows, and those interested in experimenting with Linux distributions on older hardware.

madsmoke9
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I have a 6 month old off the shelf laptop that is running windows vista. was not my choice to pick vista but it was givien to me. I am thinking of putting linux on it or just buying a whole new one that is an apple. but if i would go with linux what one would i want to use i have no prior knowledge of linux.
the spects are
1 Gig of ram
intell dual core (not core 2 duo)
and stock graphics (what ever intel gives it i don't know what that may be)
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Which cheese should I eat? Which wine should I buy?
 
ok not rly a big help... haha I am just asking what type of linux is the best one to start out with so i can learn the program
 
Ubuntu is generally the easiest to setup on a desktop system and has a lot of users/support. It can also run live from the CD so you can check it works with the hardware before actually doing an install.
Choice of linux distro is a bit of a religious/fashion thing - so this post will be followed by a dozen recommending other distos.
 
madsmoke9 said:
ok not rly a big help... haha I am just asking what type of linux is the best one to start out with so i can learn the program

The first thing you should do is get your terminalogy correct. What you're asking for is a distro based on linux (linux is the kernel). And linux is not a program. Try the term OS instead.
http://www.linuxdig.com/documents/dictionary.php
 
I highly recommend http://dzongkha.sourceforge.net/" Linux. It's of good quality because it was created by Bhutan's Department of Information Technology. You may have to learn the language & script, though. On the plus side, it's free!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzongkha" has more information about the language & its people.
 
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ranger said:
The first thing you should do is get your terminalogy correct. What you're asking for is a distro based on linux (linux is the kernel). And linux is not a program. Try the term OS instead.
http://www.linuxdig.com/documents/dictionary.php

ok dude chill out its not the end of the world...

thanks for the ideas to kick around any more distros that you can throw at me would be cool!
oh one more thing how is the linux distros with networking like is there any major problems? i have only worked with windows on this. i have taken classes on computer networking and telecommunications and a Cisco networking class. so i know a lil bit...
 
Unix is a very network operating system, Sun's motto "the network is the computer"

The only network problems you are likely to find is wireless cards in some laptops where the makers don't release the specs - but on mainstream machines this is getting rarer.
 
  • #11
madsmoke9 said:
ok dude chill out its not the end of the world...oh one more thing how is the linux distros with networking like is there any major problems? i have only worked with windows on this. i have taken classes on computer networking and telecommunications and a Cisco networking class. so i know a lil bit...

Haha, okay. Its just that if you're going to use something, its best to terminology right. The terms linux and distro aren't synonymous; though they used that way by many.

If you're going to invest in a network interface card, its best to look for one that has a chipset that has the linux drivers available. For example, my wireless card with a Prism chipset worked out of the box. Its not really about who makes the card, its just the chipset. Once you know the chipset, its pretty easy to figure out how to get your device to work. In a worst case scenario, you'll have to use your windows drivers on linux through a wrapper called NDIS Wrapper.

Since you've taken a Cisco class you'll be happy to know that there is a package called Zebra. I had a lot of fun with this package.
http://www.zebra.org/
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache...25+zebra+cisco+linux&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

I linked the cached version of a very interesting article from linux-mag. I think they now require you to register to view articles.
 
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  • #12
ok now I am getting some VERY helpful feed back...
robphy -- I am gunna use this comp for just experimental and just something i can have fun with.
ranger -- will linux accept the windows drivers??
 
  • #13
OH and one more thing what about the whole apple thing i have very little experince with that are they any good? any info on them would be helpful!
 
  • #14
madsmoke9 said:
ok now I am getting some VERY helpful feed back...
robphy -- I am gunna use this comp for just experimental and just something i can have fun with.
ranger -- will linux accept the windows drivers??

Do you mean wireless network card drivers? If so, then most of the time, yes. If your chipset is popular, then chances are that the kernel version you've installed already has the correct driver installed and should load the correct modules when the card is inserted. If that doesn't work, you can always google for native linux drivers, or just to see what others have done to get it working. If the previous two yield nothing, then you have no choice but to use NDIS Wrapper. This makes use of your native window drivers by implementing NDIS APIs and linking your windows driver to work under linux. NDIS is a specification for writing device drivers for NICs and windows based machines.

Does that answer your question?
 
  • #15
madsmoke9 said:
OH and one more thing what about the whole apple thing i have very little experince with that are they any good? any info on them would be helpful!

Sorry. What do you mean by this? Are you referring to Apple's operating system?
 
  • #16
i use ubuntu.No problem with that and ur computer specs.well u can always dual boot with ubuntu+XP(not vista) .Yes u can do with vist but i would recommend going back to XP atleast for now
Get Gutsy Gibbon the newest ubuntu release and u have it all that's there in vista.Yes those eye candies also. and above all u have community support here
 
  • #17
yes it does thanks.
i mean everything like are they stable? easily upgraded? umm and you the OS and it seems that they just released a new os "osx" is that gunna act like vista and just be a major pain to work with.

i was doing some priceing on the apple laptops and found that they have a multi boot option that has windows xp prof. alerady installed... is its good or will only bring down the comp?
 
  • #18
Madsmoke9,

So your graphics card is intel, what is your wireless card's chipset? If it's intel or atheros, it sounds like your laptop might work right out of the box with Ubuntu Gutsy, all hardware configured. Of course it's your choice which distro you use.
 
  • #19
i don't know what the chip set is and when i try to find it my comp freazes up
all i know is that i have some generic drivers and i can't up date them b/c windows vista won't let me look for them. its like its got a mind of its own haha!
 
  • #20
Can't you just go to Device Manager? You should be able to get that info there. If not, then boot up a live cd and do "lspci".
 
  • #21
well if u are using it in ur laptop then a caution is a must ubuntu hets ur laptop quickly.so be aware about that
 
  • #22
pardesi said:
well if u are using it in ur laptop then a caution is a must ubuntu hets ur laptop quickly.so be aware about that

What are you trying to say?
 
  • #23
I speak gibberish - I think he is saying that the power management configuration may be an issue. It is not always configured correctly out of the box.
 
  • #24
mgb_phys said:
I speak gibberish - I think he is saying that the power management configuration may be an issue. It is not always configured correctly out of the box.


In Ubuntu it is. Plus hibernation and sleep work out of the box.
 
  • #26
Can fix it straight up via "hdparm", aggressive power saving by default which may lead to problems in HDD life.
 

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