Covert me to Linux

Steve Watford

Steve Watford

Steve Watford

Associate
Joined
20 Jul 2006
Posts
258
Im going to be multibooting Windows and Linux, help me :p .

I need a x64 Linux Compatiable with my Hardware (I have a TV card and an old printer). I heard of a linux distro that had an app called "Matrix" something, I really cant remember, but it sounded great.

If anyone can help me out, i'd be greatful.
 
I don't mean to pry but why do you need x86-64?

In fact, what would you like to do with this machine? Would you like it to be a regular desktop for daily use? Does it need to be a media center like a TiVo?

Getting the TV card to work is dependant on your car's manufacturer. If they have released a driver you're gold. If they haven't the chances of making it work are diminished. Either way, it's unlikely that a closed-source driver is going to be compiled for x86-64.
 
Last edited:
I was just going to experiment with x64. Didn't want to do it with XP as I have a nLite version of xp x32 and like how it sets everything perfect. Was just gonig to experiment with x64 and linux, just put them together. And im not sure if they released a x64 version. All it says is "Windows XP/2000". Not x32 or x64. None of the drivers on their site say anything about the arcitecture of their drivers.
 
I'd definitely go for 32-bit Linux. Though most applications don't care things like the flash plugin won't work becasue 3rd party developers haven't cooked up an x64 version yet. Unless you explicitly need the extra memory addressing or the speed at processing 64-bit integers, stay with 32-bit.

Windows XP or Vista 64-bit are a bit friendlier becasue most 3rd party developers prioritize Windows development.

For your Linux I'd say start out with SuSE or Ubuntu. SuSE is a bit mre n00b-friendly out of *** box becasue it installs proprietary software like video drivers. However, Ubuntu is very popular and the Automatix installer script makes installing 3rd party plugins, codecs, drivers, etc an absolute snap.
 
Last edited:
loving my fully installed ubuntu, just finished updating the graphics drivers.
feels so much more of a real accomplishment when you have to do it via command line!
 
Automatix is a script for Ubuntu that downloads and installs dozens of different programs that so not sip with it. This includes P2P progreams, Java, WINE (for Windows emulation), graphics drivers, media players/codecs, and loads of other goodies. I reccomend it highly and I use it myself.

Main site: http://www.getautomatix.com/
Installation instructions: http://www.getautomatix.com/wiki/index.php?title=Installation&Itemid=38

EDIT: Essentially the installation procedure is simply adding Automatix's repositories to your sources list then installing the script with apt-get. It looks tougher than it is.

EDIT2: Repositories are used by debian-based systems like Ubuntu for the automation of many software installation procedures. The repo had the files you need. You use apt-get, or it's GUI cousin Synaptic, to find the package you want then install it. There's no installer necessary and it takes care of everything.

For instance if I wanted to install Alien, a rpm to deb converter I'd type
sudo apt-get update
that'd update the machine's list of waht's available from the servers. Then I'd run
sudo apt-get install alien
and it would take care of everything from that point on.
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
VeNT said:
any idea if theres a way to get my NTFS partition readable in uBuntu?
Click to expand...

Nice hijack. Lol im kidding.

But does this mean that if I have say an NTFS Partition with MP3s on it, that is created and everything from Windows, I could just go into the partition and play the music, with no side effects? Also, what music playing apps would you recommend? Can you run iTunes in Linux? What about codecs, what Linux codecs is there availiable?

Thanks
 
Steve Watford said:
But does this mean that if I have say an NTFS Partition with MP3s on it, that is created and everything from Windows, I could just go into the partition and play the music, with no side effects?
Click to expand...
Yes, if you follow the linked instructions you can have either read or read/write capabilities on NTFS partitions. Mind you that NTFS support is still not 100% stable because MS won't document it so I wouldn't use it on a production machine where things were critically important. You should be fine just listening to your music, etc.
Steve Watford said:
Also, what music playing apps would you recommend? Can you run iTunes in Linux? What about codecs, what Linux codecs is there availiable?
Click to expand...
VLC plays just about everything under the sun but it's more suited to movies than music. Mplayer is also quite good. Both of those come with eleventy bajillion codecs so I wouldn't be concerned. Use Automatix to install both of those along with the necessary codecs for DVD and mp3 playback.
 
Oh 6 pixels out, shock horror :eek: :eek:

Its 50 pixels short on width so 6 pixels taller will make up for it.

EDIT: You actually measured my sig? bored?

Now, back onto Linux. Is there any way to tweak the installation of it, like nLite, I'd prefer to tweak it slightly before install as its still kinda bloated, for me anyway.
 
Steve Watford said:
Oh 6 pixels out, shock horror :eek: :eek:

Its 50 pixels short on width so 6 pixels taller will make up for it.
Click to expand...

comments like that would get you banned, its the rules. your sig breaks the rules.
 
If you want to only have the most necessary software installed you should look at a more customized distro like Gentoo. Though not for the faint-of-heart it will yield the smallest install size.
 
Steve Watford said:
Oh 6 pixels out, shock horror :eek: :eek:

Its 50 pixels short on width so 6 pixels taller will make up for it.

EDIT: You actually measured my sig? bored?

Now, back onto Linux. Is there any way to tweak the installation of it, like nLite, I'd prefer to tweak it slightly before install as its still kinda bloated, for me anyway.
Click to expand...
no, I thought I'd warn you before you got kicked off the forums for being too lazy to read the FAQ
its not hard.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom