Switchin' to Gentoo

Ancientsage · n00b Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 5

I'm considering switching from Windows XP to Gentoo, I've not had much experience with installation of Operating Systems and such however, but I do know how to work with them once installed, and I have a medium-level knowledge of PHP, along with a lower level knowledge of C++ and C#. So operating it once installed isn't much of an issue...but...

If I do switch from Windows XP to Gentoo, I can't mess up. So I have a few questions...

1. I don't have an XP disc, I'm on a Sony Vaio and they didn't give me one when I got it. So I need help on this, how would I go 'bout backing it up and reinstalling it without the disc? Since if I do encounter a problem, I won't have internet access until it is solved, and XP would be my alternative so I could start over on it.

2. Would it be possible to GZip compress everything from and within the Windows installation and store it in somewhere on the hard drive?

3. I'm currently running Comcast Broadband, no router at the moment, just directly connected to a modem. Is it likely that it will be auto-detected, or am I going to have to go through a ton of trouble trying to get my internet up on Gentoo?

4. What is the default browser that comes with Gentoo?

Thanks. And sorry if this is the wrong board to post on. >_>

thestick · Guru Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 531 Location: /dev/urandom

welcome to gentoo.
gentoo isn`t like other distros.
you WONT get a redhat-ubuntu-suse-mandrake-like distro ;
if you don`t wanna mess up with gentoo you should kwow some things:
- you must know your hardware very well
- have trust in yourself
- read the manual
Consider even trying ubuntu or something before the real thing.
there is no default browser.
most of us use firefox however.
do you have exp. with other linux distros?
and what is the layout of your harddisk in this moment?

Earthwings · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:07 pm Post subject:

If you barely know anything about Linux, I'd suggest first to have a look at KDE from Windows by downloading the VMWare Player along with a free KDE image to get a first impression. If you like that have a look at a live CD like Knoppix. This way you don't have to do any changes to your partitions.

If you like what you see, consider an easier distribution like (K)Ubuntu as a start and come back to Gentoo if you feel like it. Have fun

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D-M · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 103

buy a second hard drive. They are cheap these days. A 80 gig will run about $50 US.

Once you have your second hard drive, uninstall the one with windows, set it aside, install your new one, start learning linux.

This way your XP install is safe and ready for uses if you need it. once you have Gentoo up and running you can reinstall the disk with XP and dual boot providing access to both OS.

DM

Dlareh · Advocate Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 2102

Ancientsage · n00b Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 5

@Topic: The only experience I've had with Linux is with a CD-booted (LiveCD, I think) version of DSL (Damn Small Linux), I intend to work around with that a bit more; soon as I find the disc again. Luckly I used it on an older computer though, 'cause it screwed up all my Windows partitions.

I know most of what my hardware is, aside from the Sound Card (Onboard or seperate I'm unsure of), so that won't be a problem. And aside from the partitions of my hard drive, I have absolutely no idea what they are, since I wasn't the one who installed the OS; it came pre-installed.

So it doesn't come pre-installed with any browser? Then I'll write Opera to a disc, then install that after Linux.

Also...exactually which download would I want for an Intel Pentium 4?

@DM: That is a good idea...hadn't thought of that. I'll be able to purchase one quite soon, too.
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Dlareh · Advocate Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 2102

madisonicus · Veteran Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 1130

Trying out linux is great... It's been about two years now since I defenestrated my life, and I'm happier with my computing-life than I ever have been. Nothing beats the control and confidance that you can get from a linux box.

There are a couple things I wanted to emphasize before you make the plunge seriously.

First is that by knowing your hardware, we mean a thorough search of these forums and others to be sure you know exactly which drivers you'll need in order to make your box work. Trust me, you are not going to want to have to fight your way through a half-way built, partially functional installation without any graphic interface and possibly without an internet connection in order to track down some obscure driver. Most hardware works out of the box, and almost anything is workable... but you will want to have all that nailed down BEFORE you do the installation.

The http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/ and http://gentoo-wiki.com websites (the hardware section) are great resources to help you figure out what it is you'll need for what it is you have.

Second, trying out linux via Knoppix or Sabayon or the Gentoo LiveCD is 100% a great idea. There are gobs of options in linux... an overwhelming number for someone coming from a Microsoft mandated world. Familiarize yourself with what's out there (KDE/Gnome/Fluxbox, Firefox/Konqueror/Ephiphany, Nautilus/Konqueror/Rox, etc... ) before you start out with a build-it-from-scratch distro like Gentoo. You'll want to know what you want to do when Gentoo drops you at that command line.

Third, read, read, read, read. Read manuals; read forums; read everything. The enormous amount of support available for linux still boggles me. I never used Windows help because it's worthless. The man pages in linux are generally great. Make use of them.

Finally, be patient and have fun. Things will be different. Most of us will argue that they'll be better. But even if you decide to go back to Windows, you'll know your computer better than you ever have just for being willing to take up the challenge.
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onlinepancakes · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:08 pm Post subject:

quag7 · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:51 am Post subject: Re: Switchin' to Gentoo

Aurisor · Guru Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 361 Location: Boston MA

I don't want to scare you off, but if you install Gentoo as your first linux distro, you need to be aware:

1) The install process takes a couple of hours of complicated work.
2) If it's your first experience with linux, odds are very good that you will screw it up and have to start over.
3) Between compile times, screwups, etc, it may very well take two days to see your first GUI.

By contrast, something like Ubunutu or Fedora 6 will have you up and running in under an hour with very little chance of failure.

If you really want to learn linux inside and out, then Gentoo is the best way to learn it, IMO. If you just want to see what it's like to use linux, then try another distro instead.

Just my 2 cents.