I am a complete beginner with linux and want to start exploring the programm. A friend of mine has installed Slackware linux but it does not work properly (the internet does not connect and I get lots of error messages). Some peope told me that it be better fora person with my level to start with a mor userfriendly distro such as mandrake. That is how I came here. Can anyone tell me how I can install mandrake on my pc. My pc disk is "cut" into two pieces( 2 times 20 gb, AMD 1800 XP). On one part there is this very familiar OS running version XP (guess you know the company), while the part I have the mentioned Slackware. Do I have to unistall Slackware first? Please help me as I really want to start exploring linux. Especially the mandrake distro which is supposed to be one of the top three.

You can format the Slackware partition with the Manrake installer and that will effectively uninstall it.

Mandrake is a champ for newbs -- although I don't consider myself a newb any more, I still use Mandrake in preference to all other distros (currently running MDK10.0). It's very desktop-oriented, which makes it the perfect option for people who prefer wizards and GUIs to set up/maintain their system, rather than consoles and direct config file editing (as Slack does.)

You'll find that Mandrake is so easy to install you could do it in a drunken stupor. If you're planning to install Mandrake 9.0, 9.1, 9.2 or 10.0, all of them have a sweet graphical interface that'll walk you through every step. Once installed, the system should be all ready to go -- if not, the Mandrake Control Centre will let you tweak hardware, video, network, etc., through a nice GUI. Not much harder than in Windows -- in my experience, easier than Windows

About your harddrive: the Mandrake Installer is very smart when it comes to handling harddrives with other OSs or partitions already on them. You'll be given a number of options as to what you want to do, and if none of them suit your needs you can select advance mode. This will give you a graphical overview of your harddrive, and it's a sinch to cut out a new partition or use an existing one for installation.

I suggest your direct the Mandrake Installer to use your current Slackware partitions. It'll simply reformat them (ie, scrub Slack off your HDD) then do a new install of Mandrake in its place.

Phew. I sound like the Mandrake Fan Club

Tim

IMHO the easiest way to install Mandrake is to visit their website (<a href="http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/ftp.php3">link</A>) and download the ISO images. Burn them to CD's and boot your PC from the first CD.

I think this site is great and I have found it very useful. Additionally you could check out The Linux Documentation Project (<A href="http://www.tldp.org/">link</A>). This is structured well and a good place to start reading, and in the beginning you will not likely know what you need

As 'hoopyfrood' mentioned the Mandrake installation interface is easy to follow and will manage both your XP partition and allocation to the old Slackware partition. If you have no data to lose on the Slackware partition just jump in and start installing, it doesn't take long and it easy enough to reinstall if you make some unwanted changes.

opps Sorry I didn't realise that the links would come out like that (posting above).
I am new to actively using forums. Could some one be so kind as to point me in the direction of some command lists that work in this forum (i.e. allowing me to show url links and smilies)

Hey VampireHunterD,

To quote Futurama's lovable TV Chef/Personality:

BAM!

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...bbcode#buttons

Love your user name, by the way

Cheers,
Tim

Thanks and thanks Tim :>

Where does hoopyfrood come from?

Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy:



Cheers,
Tim