So I'm thinking of sticking my toe in the Linux waters...

Rik · Dec 17, 2010, 16:33:42

Calling an OS OpenBSD is a bit off putting to Windows users.

pctech · Dec 17, 2010, 16:53:31

mrapoc · Dec 17, 2010, 21:14:59

Linuxmint definately Rik.

I used to use ubuntu, but linuxmint has everything it has plus more. Its faster, easier on the codec problems and pretty much everything works out of the box

It found and installed my networked HP printer (windows install is stupid compared)

Wireless out of the box

Tethering with the htc desire is instant

Quick to power up and down

Recommended!!

Technical Ben · Dec 17, 2010, 22:42:36

If that's the ColdPlay song, one of my favourites!

Rik · Dec 18, 2010, 10:39:02

Thanks, Sam.

davej99 · Dec 18, 2010, 12:51:49

I have had some modest success with LinuxMint. Certainly it just worked out of the box and founds basic drivers. Not checked wireless. Seemed to install in about 10 minutes. GUI is slick and as a Windows user I found it very intuitive. However, I have not done much road testing, except browsing, watching BBC News and iPlayer.

To begin with I tried to install alongside XP as dual boot, but this would not work because the installer found apparent disk errors and would not repartition. However, these errors did not exist in check disk. I cannot find the citation but this seems to be problem associated with the MS file system. Then I did a Mint install over XP reformatting the whole drive and Mint installed fine. As I said Mint just worked out of the box.

Now I have not partitioned a drive since DOS days, so I though I should learn how and experiment a bit. I reformatted the drive again, using GParted Live booted from CD, creating part NTFS and part empty. I put back XP in the NTFS partition and then installed Mint in the empty space. This worked fine and I got dual boot.

As further experiment I then used GParted to create a single NTFS partition and and installed XP. Again the mint installer refused to create a second partition, I concluded that the Mint installer could not deal with a single NTFS partition because of apparent disk errors, which do not seem to appear straight away. However, using GParted booted from CD to first shrink the NTFS partition and create a second EXT partition, I found Mint would install fine, though curiously it would not use the whole of the ext partition.

Had I known how, I guess I should have used GParted to create space or a second partition to start with. But anyway it has turned out to be a usefull tool and so far it has not caused problems creating and removing a mix of NTFS, XPS and EXT partitions, with XP and Mint side by side. BUT figure on trashing your entire system if you try this at home. I was just lucky and have time to waste.

Glenn · Dec 18, 2010, 12:56:09

I now have my Dell Mini9 working via wireless on Mint 10

I used NDiswrapper and the XP driver.

davej99 · Dec 18, 2010, 13:01:10

Not sure I know what NDisrapper is?

Rik · Dec 18, 2010, 13:03:11

He's very hot in certain parts of the yoof culture, Dave.

Glenn · Dec 18, 2010, 13:05:21

Dave, I didn't until Steve mentioned it earlier in this thread, it allowed me to use a Windows XP driver, to configure the wireless.

Ray · Dec 18, 2010, 13:12:51

Quote from: Glenn on Dec 18, 2010, 12:56:09
I now have my Dell Mini9 working via wireless on Mint 10 I used NDiswrapper and the XP driver.

What wireless adapter does the Dell use? Glenn, I've just put Mint 10 on my Acer laptop and all I needed to do to get the wireless to work was install the included wireless driver, the Acer uses a Broadcom adapter.

Mint works well and seems to run considerably faster than Windows ever did on the Acer.

Glenn · Dec 18, 2010, 13:15:01

It's using a Broadcom driver, but the suggested Mint drivers wouldn't install.

davej99 · Dec 18, 2010, 13:16:40

Quote from: Glenn on Dec 18, 2010, 13:05:21
Dave, I didn't until Steve mentioned it earlier in this thread, it allowed me to use a Windows XP driver, to configure the wireless.

Thanks, Glen. Note to self: read thread more thoroughly

Rik · Dec 18, 2010, 13:23:47

We never do, Dave.

Ray · Dec 18, 2010, 13:34:28

Quote from: Glenn on Dec 18, 2010, 13:15:01
It's using a Broadcom driver, but the suggested Mint drivers wouldn't install.

Strange, Glenn, I had that problem when I tried Mint 9, and I couldn't get the wireless to work at all using that version.

mrapoc · Dec 18, 2010, 14:41:37

Strange, both my dell laptops (one a lot older than the other) detected the driver instantly and offered me the choice to activate it in restricted drivers or whatever its called nowadays

Try connecting via ethernet first, fully update and maybe then it will detect it/offer it in hardware drivers section

D-Dan · Dec 18, 2010, 15:45:31

Quote from: Glenn on Dec 18, 2010, 13:05:21
Dave, I didn't until Steve mentioned it earlier in this thread, it allowed me to use a Windows XP driver, to configure the wireless.

Nice to know I have my uses

Steve

Rik · Dec 18, 2010, 15:48:44

Give us time and we'll think of more.

nowster · Dec 19, 2010, 11:49:38

Quote from: Ray on Dec 18, 2010, 13:12:51
What wireless adapter does the Dell use?

Whatever was cheapest the day it was assembled, probably.

pctech · Dec 19, 2010, 19:37:53

On their consumer products at least they do seem to use really cheap components.