I've been tinkering around with Linux for a couple of months now. I Installed Debian on my old laptop some time back with very few problems, so thought I'd try it on my "hobby" desktop. There's a very real possibility now that I can get it networked, which will be great! Anyway, I stuggled trying to get Debian on the desktop, as I was unable to determine what graphics card I had, (and those of you who know Debian will know that it will not detect the graphics card automatically and you have to specifiy the settings yourself.) So, a little disheartened, I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to try a new "flavour" of Linux.
Enter "Mandrake" (or MDK as it's affectionately nicknamed). I found a download site for the ISOs without much problem, that was the easy bit. 12+ wasted hours later, I realised that I really needed to get a download manager. So, with a copy of "Leechget" I finally got all 3 ISOs. Now I was armed and ready! So, there I was, with my 3 newly burned image discs, attempting an install. Disc 1 went without a hitch and, unlike Debian and it's "dated" install program I was presented with a friendly GUI. Unfortunatley, disc 2, which was required to complete the installation, failed. Another download was promptly scheduled for a fresh copy. Being unable to complete the install, I had to resort to a forced shutdown. When the download was complete I attempted to reboot the machine and start again. Well, that was the plan anyway. However, when I tried to do this Linux was unable to find the hard drive!! The hard drive that had performed so promisingly only hours ago was now FUBAR. I guess I shouldn't grumble. The machine has been "created" using parts from redundant machines and up until this point the only part I'd really paid for was the second-hand monitor. I guess my luck was bound to run out eventually.
Presently, I'm awaiting a new hard drive (I'm not going to risk a reconditioned one) to be delivered tomorrow and then we can try again.
When someone tells you "Linux is an adventure", they are telling the truth. However, I'm sure this isn't the definition they have in mind when when they say it!!
