Switching to Mandriva Linux

[echobo]

I'm thinking of switching to Mandriva Linux and I am trying to figure out if my computer is compatible. I have an eMachines D6417 computer. I need this info. as soon as possible to escape this Windows nightmare. Can anyone help?

[Vlad]

Did you even try finding out what the hardware requirements were before asking your question?

Honestly, if you're not willing/able/whatever to either read about the product yourself or take a minute and google your question before asking for assistance, I really, really, really recommend you stick with Windows.

[chavo]

rypaintD, looks like you'll have no problems except for that modem. If you're on dialup still I'm afraid it's going to be a little tricky. Not impossible but you'll need to set the modem up.

[echobo]

  Quote

Did you even try finding out what the hardware requirements were before asking your question?

Honestly, if you're not willing/able/whatever to either read about the product yourself or take a minute and google your question before asking for assistance, I really, really, really recommend you stick with Windows.

I knew the requirements, I just wanted to know if there are any extra compatibility issues with some of my hardware, say my video card, the ATi Xpress 200.

[chavo]

Just ignore Vlad, most of the people around here are nice and willing to help out. A couple of the old school fuddy-duddies have slipped through though.

[echobo]

Thanks for the help Chavo.

[Barney T. Administrators]

Now... what I would suggest is that before you leap into Mandriva (which I have on several of my boxes... it is awesome) download a Mandriva Live CD and see how it runs on your EMachine. Like Chavo said, your dial-up modem is probably going to be your most troublesome issue. Also possible your ATI card... but that is hit or miss. Linux behaves best mostly with an ethernet connection (DSL, ADSL, Cable, or some other broadband).

I would go to the Mandriva site and download Mandriva One (Live CD). Post back with questions. :yes:

Barney

[echobo]

I am still on dial-up (for now, I am probably going to get Verizon DSL soon) Would I need to buy a $20 modem driver download from www.linuxant.com? I have a Conexant HSF PCI Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCP

[markwolfe Veteran]

To be honest, you may very well be better off buying a 'real' hardware modem. These will work 100%, and avoid any driver issues.

[chavo]

I haven't used Mandriva since it was Mandrake, but I know I got the modem drivers from them. I downloaded the powerpack or whatever it was called. It had the commercial software on it, flash, acrobat, etc. And the slmodem driver just worked with my laptop.

Now I know things have changed with Mandrake since I used it, but I'm sure you'll be able to get the modem working. You might need to google around and hit up the mandriva forums.

[gnuman]

I honestly would not use Mandriva for the fact that updating is not free unless you like doing it text based using urpmi. Mandriva has been going down hill and I'm surprised people still download it.

I'd give Suse/*buntu a try.

[CaKeY]

  gnuman said:

I honestly would not use Mandriva for the fact that updating is not free unless you like doing it text based using urpmi.

Thats not true. What ever sources you add to your media list will automatically be available in the graphical installer.

[markwolfe Veteran]

  gnuman said:

I honestly would not use Mandriva for the fact that updating is not free unless you like doing it text based using urpmi. Mandriva has been going down hill and I'm surprised people still download it.

I'd give Suse/*buntu a try.

A) I think CaKeY took care of that one... ;)

B) What is wrong with updating or installing from a command prompt?

[Deanobear]

I agree with Mark, nothing wrong with updating mandriva from the console, what's the difference between "urpmi --auto-select" and "apt-get dist-upgrade"... nothing!

I was a big mandriva user and really liked the distro, even tho they tend to be rather slow in providing serious/major updates to the base repos, its very stable and very usable, but when they fired mandrake/mandriva founder/creator Gael Duval for "financial reasons", I thought... hmmm... those cash registers and bean counters are really working overtime... time for a change of distro.

mandriva is a good distro for a first time user who wants to get their hands wet with linux, I'd recommend it. check out Mandrivaclub.NL and EasyUrpmi for the best repositories.

[echobo]

Ok thanks everybody.

[cork1958]

  DeanoBear63 said:

I agree with Mark, nothing wrong with updating mandriva from the console, what's the difference between "urpmi --auto-select" and "apt-get dist-upgrade"... nothing!

I was a big mandriva user and really liked the distro, even tho they tend to be rather slow in providing serious/major updates to the base repos, its very stable and very usable, but when they fired mandrake/mandriva founder/creator Gael Duval for "financial reasons", I thought... hmmm... those cash registers and bean counters are really working overtime... time for a change of distro.

mandriva is a good distro for a first time user who wants to get their hands wet with linux, I'd recommend it. check out Mandrivaclub.NL and EasyUrpmi for the best repositories.

Couldn't agre more! In fact, working on configuring this machine as a dual boot with Ubuntu and Mandriva. Both update so easily, it's unbelievable!

[Barney T. Administrators]

I also agree... I have Mandriva on on eof my boxes as well as a laptop. Everything works fine. And using either the graphical interface for updating or package management, or URPMI is easy......

I think he was thinking of Linspire....... :laugh:

Barney

[betamaxman]

Mandriva is a great choice and one of the best for hardware there is, has well has mandrive live also try mandrive one dvd a live "installable dvd". Also there is Pclinux OS an updated version of mandrake that like mandriva one is live and instalable but is on a cd.