Thread: Which ISOs To Download?

  1. #1
    I like code Rouss's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    131

    Which ISOs To Download?

    Hi,

    I need a little help. I'm extremely new to linux, considering I don't have it yet. I've searched everywhere, and while I've found information to lean me towards the right direction, I'd feel more comfortable with a definite answer.

    I'm going to download the Debian ISOs with jigdo.

    http://people.debian.org/~atterer/wo.../3.0_r2/jigdo/

    From this site, should I choose the i386 or ia64? I have a Pentium 4 Processor. Could you also explain to me why I need the i386 or the ia64?
    Also, when I download the jigdo files, do I also need to download Packages.tar.gz from the above link, or will that be in one of the ISOs? Also what is the MD5SUM and MD5SUM-UPDATE files? Do I need to download them also, or just the jigdo files?

    Thanks so much for the help,
    Rouss

  2. #2
    erstwhile
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Posts
    2,227
    P4 - i386 (32bit intel 386 compatible cpu); ia64 is probably 64bit so download i386.
    Don't have a clue about the packages so I leave that to someone more knowledgeable than my humble self. MD5Sum gives you the capability of checking the integrity of your iso images before you burn/use them - if they don't match then they are no good.

    If using windows to download and test files and you prefer a GUI interface then md5summer may be of interest to you. If your prefer command line usage, again with windows, then the command line 'md5sum' utility comes as part of msys(2742kb for msys) although if you search with google you'll probably be able to find a version of the utility itself.

    If you're using linux then, presumably, man md5sum should tell you everything you need to know.

    In either command-line case then 'md5sum name_of_iso' will generate an md5sum based on name_of_iso which you can match manually with the given one. Alternatively you can pass in the md5sum text file as a parameter and the md5sum utility will check it for you.

    JustLinux seem to be pretty good if you're new to linux or unsure about distributions etc. and i'm pretty certain that a search of their boards will turn up several thorough 'how-to' posts if you need them.
    CProgramming FAQ
    Caution: this person may be a carrier of the misinformation virus.

  3. #3
    I like code Rouss's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    131
    Thanks for the reply. That was the answer I was leaning towards, but I didn't want to make a decision and be wrong.
    Thanks again.

  4. #4
    Registered User major_small's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Posts
    2,787
    if you haven't had any experience with linux yet, I'd first go for knoppix, a live, bootable CD that mostly configures itself... no installations necessary... just put in the CD, start the computer, and you're booted onto a *nix system with a KDE environment...

    http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-en.html
    Join is in our Unofficial Cprog IRC channel
    Server: irc.phoenixradio.org
    Channel: #Tech


    Team Cprog Folding@Home: Team #43476
    Download it Here
    Detailed Stats Here
    More Detailed Stats
    52 Members so far, are YOU a member?
    Current team score: 1223226 (ranked 374 of 45152)

    The CBoard team is doing better than 99.16% of the other teams
    Top 5 Members: Xterria(518175), pianorain(118517), Bennet(64957), JaWiB(55610), alphaoide(44374)

    Last Updated on: Wed, 30 Aug, 2006 @ 2:30 PM EDT

  5. #5
    Registered User whackaxe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    332
    mandrake is also very user friendly

  6. #6
    I like code Rouss's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    131
    Thanks for the replies.
    I'll definitely check out knoppix. And I'll look into mandrake too.

    Rouss

  7. #7
    ¡Amo fútbol!
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Posts
    2,138
    Also, if you'd like, you can check out PCLinuxOS which is a customized Mandrake install that boots and runs from a cd, like Knoppix.

  8. #8
    I like code Rouss's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    131
    I'm currently running Knoppix right now from a CD. It's pretty impressive.
    I'm planning on duel booting my computer with XP and Linux this summer... I'm away at school and I didn't bring the XP disks with me, and I just found out that XP home doesn't auto-install back-up or I would do it now.

    //
    The Only Thing Is, My Speakers Aren't Working, No Beeps Or Anything. Any Ideas?
    //

    Thanks for all the help guys.
    Last edited by Rouss; 04-30-2004 at 03:17 PM.

  9. #9
    Registered User major_small's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Posts
    2,787
    knoppix probably didn't pick up your sound card...
    Join is in our Unofficial Cprog IRC channel
    Server: irc.phoenixradio.org
    Channel: #Tech


    Team Cprog Folding@Home: Team #43476
    Download it Here
    Detailed Stats Here
    More Detailed Stats
    52 Members so far, are YOU a member?
    Current team score: 1223226 (ranked 374 of 45152)

    The CBoard team is doing better than 99.16% of the other teams
    Top 5 Members: Xterria(518175), pianorain(118517), Bennet(64957), JaWiB(55610), alphaoide(44374)

    Last Updated on: Wed, 30 Aug, 2006 @ 2:30 PM EDT

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. Picture download problem
    By wingri in forum C Programming
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 07-31-2007, 05:32 AM
  2. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-30-2005, 02:51 AM
  3. IE 6 status bar
    By DavidP in forum Tech Board
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 10-23-2002, 05:31 PM