First time Linux user looking for advice on distro for T43p

[Cola]

Hi all!


As I've got my T43p in spare atm, I thought it'd be a waste if I'm not using it. I've decided that I want to try something else than windows for once.

I have been fiddling around with several Ubuntu distros, but I've never really gotten really into them. I like the interface way more than Windows, and it seems that everything just runs perfect. Also the thought of having a free open source operating system is talking to me.

I am not an experienced Linux user in any way though. I have failed to understand how to install programs onto it, and I'm not good in the command promt. I am however, a fast learner, so I thought I'd give it a shot.


So now for the questions:
What distro of Linux should I use? I am a newbie in the subject, but yet I want something that is advanced when you really get into it. A nice, smooth and simple user interface is also something I like.
Anything I should know?


My Thinkpad that I'll be using for this little project, is my almost fully-specced T43p 2668-PEG with the following specifications:

CPU: Intel Pentium M 770 - 2.13GHz
Ram: 2x1GB DDR2
GFX: V3200M 128MB
Display: 14.1'' SXGA+ (Very well lit!)
HDD: 40GB Hitachi 5400RPM


So, I'm looking forward to your replies.

Regards, Frederik.

[Neil]

Linux is all about choice and personal preference...so, there is not much to recommend, as in this is better than that. There are all good, and just different in some ways.

My recommendation is to go to distrowatch.com, read up on the goals and philosophies of the top 100 distros, pick some (10 or more if you want) that seem to fit your goals and skill level, download the ISOs and just try them out. Get the feel for what they are all about. Narrow down to two or three that you really like, and then install one or two of them and start using, tweaking, adding and removing packages, etc. until you are comfortable with it. Then dig in, and try to break it so you can fix it. After all, that's the real joy of Linux! Mess around, break something, fix it. Just like working on your hot-rod.

Oh! And make sure you find a distro with a non-PAE kernel. The Pentium M CPU is one that does not support physical address extension, and most modern distros are not compatible. A few that come to mind that I have used still offer support for Pentium M: Xubuntu 12.04, Debian, Crunchbang, AntiX. There are others, you'll just have to check before you download. Others won't do any harm to you computer, they just won't boot.

[ajkula66]

Oh! And make sure you find a distro with a non-PAE kernel. The Pentium M CPU is one that does not support physical address extension, and most modern distros are not compatible. A few that come to mind that I have used still offer support for Pentium M: Xubuntu 12.04, Debian, Crunchbang, AntiX. There are others, you'll just have to check before you download. Others won't do any harm to you computer, they just won't boot.

Actually, this doesn't apply to 533Mhz Dothans used in T43 and R52 series. They support PAE and will run any Linux as well as W8.

That being said, support for older ATi GPUs (such as V3200 seen in T43p) is pathetic, and has been my # 1 reason for not going 100% Linux...

[Cola]

Hi and thanks for your replies.

I chose Linux Mint 32 bit edition for my T43p.

The problem now is when I put in the USB stick into one of the USB ports of the T43p. Nothing happens, It displays "No operating system found" when trying to boot from the USB stick.

I've tried with two different USB flash drives and in both ports of the T43p.

How come it won't install the OS?


I'm not able to use DVD's or CD's.

[Neil]

What method are you using to prepare the USB drive?

[Cola]

Neil:
I just put the .iso file on the USB drive and and unpacked it there.
Also tried with a tool for it. Didn't change anything though.



--
Okay... I managed to get Linux mint onto the T43p. Now I figured I'd try Xubuntu on it. The thing is, that when I unpack the .iso file, it shows lots of folders and some txt files and some other stuff. I simply have got NO idea whatsoever on how to start the installation. I want to install the Xubuntu from Linux Mint. Does anyone know how I can do this?


My 16GB USB flash drive has got these files loaded onto it atm. How do I do it?

Picture here:
http://i.imgur.com/SrvDN3S.png

[Dawnbreaker]

First of all, to make your flash bootable use unetbootin and do the following


Once the bootable flash is ready, restard the computer, press F12 on boot and choose the flash drive. Thats it.

[Cola]

Thanks for the guide Dawnbreaker.

The thing is though, that I used exactly that program when installing Linux Mint, except when I completed all the steps and fired it up, it didn't work! :S

I did however, manage to install Linux Mint from the windows 7 installation I already had on it. Now as I've tried Linux Mint and not really liked it, I'd like to get Xubuntu on it. But as described before in my post, I have got absolutely no idea of how to install anything on Linux.

[Trent]

Ubuntu
Linux Mint
Sabayon
Slackware
CentOS

Those are my preferred choices.

[Temetka]

Welcome to the world of Linux!

You are about to experience some really cool open source software, and some headaches. It's awesome and sucks at the same time.

The first thing you need to do is grab your USB drive and make it bootable, then slap the *NIX you want to install onto your T43p (nice machine btw, I have one too), then boot and install.

Sounds simple right? It is-ish. You might want to check out some of the resources located here:

http://www.bootdisk.com/pendrive.htm

Also a few of us are pretty advanced Linux users, so feel free to ask questions.

As to your questions about Distro's I would start you off with Ubuntu, then once your feet are wet, move you onto something a little more fun such as SuSE or Fedora. Then when you really want to roll your own, Debian or ArchLinux. Awesome, awesome distro's.

Now let's say you really love POSIX compliant OS's and want to check out some of where they came from and the computing philosophies behind them, then we enter BSD land. Good times.