Migrating from Windows to Linux / Unix

[ValerieVonck]

Hi!

Since the last security update from Microsoft almost FUBARED my box, I am thinking seriously about migrating from Windows to Unix or Linux.

My knowledge level is of intermediate level.

Is it recommended to migrate from Windows to Linux, I mean, I have to backup all my files, document my hardware, search for drivers, etc., etc.

This part I dread. Or is more wise to aquire a new box // portable and from that point install a new install?

Which distro do you recommend? I have tried a lot of installation like Gentoo, FreeBsd, NetBsd, but I had serious problems with Hardware detection.

With Ubuntu 5.10, my network segment was out and so on and so.

Which distro should I choose?

My hw: P4 2.4 - 512 Mb ram, Realtek 8194 nic, Hp Scanjet 2300c, Hp Deskjet 959c, NVida Riva TNT2 Model 64.

Thx

[paulunderwood]

With Ubuntu 5.10, my network segment was out and so on and so.

Ubuntu is easy to install. Can you give some more detail about what you mean by "my network segment was out" ? Do you have a router?

[ValerieVonck]

Hi Paul!


The situation is as following:

My primary router is connected to the ADSL line.
Two of 4 pc's are directly connected to my router.
The other 2 PC's connect via a hub to the router.
(1 of them is an AMD with Ubuntu (re-installed with Xp) the other one is a P4 3Ghz with Win Xp Sp2)
The problem was the following: when I installed the Ubuntu one, I did have to configure a static ip adress nl. 192.168.2.150.
Ubuntu had trouble to find my DHCP server in the router.
I configured my gateway as following: 192.168.2.1

When I rebooted the linux box (amd pc), the result was that I couldn't connect anymore to the net + my 3 Ghz box couldn't connect either to the net and lan.

Strange things indeed

[paulunderwood]

Did you get the netmask right? I guess you should use something like: 255.255.0.0

Usually, routers are set to the default 192.168.0.1. I use static 192.168.0.xxx for my computers with netmask 255.255.255.0 and the gateway is the router's address.

You might encounter a problem with a static address if it conflicts with an address dynamically leased by the router to another computer.

You will also need to set up your DNS (Domain Name Server) information -- this may be done by pointing your computer to the router's IP if the router has automatic lookup or has the IP address provided by your ISP, or set the DNS on your computer to those given by your ISP (Internet Service provider)

Use "ping" to ping router if you are not sure DNS is not working properly.

Get a knoppix "Live" CD and boot it and see if you can connect to the net.

Also consider a dual boot system -- with knoppix and the program "qtparted" to shrink, non-destructively, the Windows partition to make room for Linux -- this is okay if you have plenty of free disk space under windows -- say 3-6Gigs. Then try to install Ubuntu.

Ubuntu should however find your DHCP server.

[ValerieVonck]

Paul,

The netmask indeed was set to 255.255.255.0.
I verified that the IP adress was "high" enough before chosing this.
Did set the DNS correctly to my ISP but whats the point because I couldn't surf even outside my box....

Knoppix works out of the box for me.

Thank you for answering my questions ... but I think we are drifing a bit off topic now

BTW, any intel :D & info is greatly appreciated!
Cheers
Cedric