Yeah, I said I wouldn't, but after backing up my files onto another hard drive, I tried reinstalling XP to see if I could get internet (This my fourth thread on this issue... look around the computer hardware forums for more laughs at me ). But, I can't register windows because, I have no internet! How perfect.

So now I'm forced, I think, to use linux. But I have some Questions:

1. Does it require internet on the computer I'll be installing it on?
2. Whats a good 'kernel', or what ever the OS thing is called? I'm just starting to read through the beginners guide.

Any help is useful to help me out, but don't laugh how yesterday I claimed I'd never go with linux.

Edit: Fixed the title.

This message was edited by Dogsbaby on Aug 20 2008.

Hey there. Good to see that you're starting to gain some interest in free and open source software. To answer your questions:

1. No, Internet isn't required for installation of a Linux system. However, you won't be able to get security updates and be able to internally upgrade to a new version when it becomes available without a working Internet connection.
2. For beginners, I'd recommend Ubuntu. Its main focus is usability and ease of use for all users, so you'll see that some things are already similar to Windows.

Also, just a vocabulary correction here. What you install as a Linux system is the distribution (distro for short). The kernel is the heart of every Linux distro.

Oh. Whoops. I'll change the title then.

Well I managed to get XP to work for the time being. I still plan on reformatting and reinstalling XP (Or, Linux if I find out how) so I may check back after I get my mouse and internet to work.

Ok, thanks again.

At the moment I'm just trying to get internet. And a mouse to work.

Oh and good news, I found a CD to get wireless, which HOPEFULLY will allow me to get wired through the ethernet cable. Hopefully at least wireless (Which I'm a room over from the router, which wouldn't be half bad anyway...).

You dont need internet to activate windows. There's an option to activate by phone. I had to activate by phone for my wireless laptop when I reformatted because I didn't yet install the wireless card drivers to receive wireless internet(although shortly after that I found an Ethernet cable which made the 109 windows updates so much easier )

I already did that. I had to talk to this robot (Answering machine or something? :\) and it took a good 20 minutes (Messed up once and had to redial -_-).

May try and get Linux... Not sure though, I'll have to read up one it.

I got my mouse to work, finally. I mean, I bought a USB mouse and it works... D:

Still no internet. Files are backed up and moved onto the 100GB. Will probably try and get Linux on it now, maybe the internet will actually work...

Maybe you just need to install your ethernet drivers...?

I have installed them. Windows cannot seem to read them or something.

Well I have canoe trip tomorrow so it won't matter. On Monday when I get back I'll probably try to get Linux. Hopefully it'll be able to read the drivers for my ethernet/belkin card. :\

Are you using some crappy CD or ones that you downloaded from the Belkin site? If the sound on your PC also isn't working then you probably need to install your chipset drivers.

Sound works. Everything other then the mouse and internet port/belkin card works. I get the same damn code:


"Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device".

Now I'm wondering if Linux will be able to load it. I doubt it, but then again...

I think, on Monday, I'll wipe the 40GB drive that has my OS (Windows XP) on it and then either install Linux (One of the distributions or what ever its called) or Windows XP (URG, I'll have to talk to a robot lady ).

Urg I gotta run, I'll edit this later.

Linux generally does a much better job in detecting hardware 'right out of the box' than Windows, IMO.

So is it possible it'll detect my ethernet port thing? I have two currently in (One built in, the lynys or what ever its called was taken from an old computer) and even a belkin wireless card stolen from the same computer.

Hmm... I have to reinstall a OS anyway...

Any suggestions for distributions or what ever there called? I'd like it to be a simpler one and hopefully require only a DVD or CD... But I have a few so it doesn't matter.