new to linux need help
Need to know what kind of Linux e.g. Ubuntu etc
Ignore all invitations by clueless applications to download .exe files or similar.
Linux doesn't (easily) run .exe files.
Ignore all invitations by clueless applications to download .exe files or similar.
Linux doesn't (easily) run .exe files.
I claim it was the spaces in the name!!! 
Normally "spelt" PCLinuxOS
I'm not really familiar with PCLinuxOS - but have you looked at "Getting Started"
http://www.pclinuxos.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
http://www.pclinuxos.com/wiki/index.php/Synaptic for how to install new packages.
I suggest you also look at http://www.pclinuxos.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=58
Sorry.
Normally "spelt" PCLinuxOS
I'm not really familiar with PCLinuxOS - but have you looked at "Getting Started"
http://www.pclinuxos.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
http://www.pclinuxos.com/wiki/index.php/Synaptic for how to install new packages.
I suggest you also look at http://www.pclinuxos.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=58
Sorry.
Crucible - pay attention please - Steve said in his first sentence that he is using PCLinuxOS!
What's not clear is how are you trying to download them?
The repository should be your first choice - Add/Remove Programmes or Synaptic (can't remember exactly as I use Ubuntu).
There shouldn't be any problem using this.
Next, in Ubuntu Firefox downloads as Shiretoko 3.5 so you wind up with Firefox 3 plus 3.5 and you have to select the latter.
Not sure how this works out in PCLinuxOS so check the forum.
I have managed to upgrade to FF 3.5 normally by following the instructions on http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/ but can't say if this is applicable to your OS so check out the forum.
Sorry - you beat me to it Jeremy - glad you've woken up!
What's not clear is how are you trying to download them?
The repository should be your first choice - Add/Remove Programmes or Synaptic (can't remember exactly as I use Ubuntu).
There shouldn't be any problem using this.
Next, in Ubuntu Firefox downloads as Shiretoko 3.5 so you wind up with Firefox 3 plus 3.5 and you have to select the latter.
Not sure how this works out in PCLinuxOS so check the forum.
I have managed to upgrade to FF 3.5 normally by following the instructions on http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/ but can't say if this is applicable to your OS so check out the forum.
Sorry - you beat me to it Jeremy - glad you've woken up!
Ok if you have downloaded the files "raw" i.e not using the package manager, just the broswer, then you probably have a file like firefox3.5.linux.run (ignore the name just for example) in your "explorer" right click and choose properties, then put a tick in the "execute" by user bit. then close the properties and double click on the file and it should run.
The reason that most files downloaded are NOT executable is for your own security.
WRT Firewall & AV , no you don't need one unless you share files with a M$ system, then you could use own but it is easier to keep the M$ protected, as at the moment there are NO live Linux viruses, the ones that do exist ASK you to install them
The reason that most files downloaded are NOT executable is for your own security.
WRT Firewall & AV , no you don't need one unless you share files with a M$ system, then you could use own but it is easier to keep the M$ protected, as at the moment there are NO live Linux viruses, the ones that do exist ASK you to install them
Can I say that package managers have enormous advantages?
If a patch or an upgrade is announced (and tested) you will be informed
and normally you would just click a box to say that you want it installed.
If you "roll your own", it will be your responsibility to upgrade.
In more complicated cases where several packages are interdependent,
you would need to download and install, in the correct sequence.
If you use the package manager, it will manage all this for you.
Pretty much all sizeable Linux distros will have a package manager.
If a patch or an upgrade is announced (and tested) you will be informed
and normally you would just click a box to say that you want it installed.
If you "roll your own", it will be your responsibility to upgrade.
In more complicated cases where several packages are interdependent,
you would need to download and install, in the correct sequence.
If you use the package manager, it will manage all this for you.
Pretty much all sizeable Linux distros will have a package manager.
Thanks for the help and advice everyone,but i completely mucked up my pc today as im not a dab hand at this sort of thing,had to reinstall windows xp and drivers for now which has took me all day,i have though bough a copy of linux mint from ebay,does anyone recommend this or something else?much appreciated and no doubt i will be back with more shenanigans 
Quote from: steve74 bought a copy of linux mint from ebay,does anyone recommend this or something else?much appreciated and no doubt i will be back with more shenanigans
You should never have to pay any money for any Linux distro - except perhaps the cost of the blank CD & postage.
Personally, I would recommend that you download Ubuntu (a widely used distro) from http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download
Burn it to CD,
Boot your PC from the CD - but don't choose the install option.
It will run from CD (slowly) and after you have played with it, you can choose the install option.
Until you do this, your Windows XP is totally safe.
Steve - I was a bit perturbed when you said that you had wiped your hard drive.
Have only fairly recently got into Linux myself, with help from the lads in this forum.
As has been said, Ubuntu is a good first choice as there is masses of information available and a lively forum. Mint is very similar though so should be OK. PCLinuxOS is good too as it looks similar to Windows but Ubuntu wins hands down for support and information IMO.
My first foray into Linux was with Wubi http://wubi-installer.org/ so now that you have got XP running again if you could create approximately a 10GB partition you could install this on it safe in the knowledge that you can just delete it via Add/Remove Programmes.
It is also a good idea to put the live CD in the drive and boot up from it just to see if all your hardware is compatible with Linux.
If you fancy a try with Ubuntu (but do it via Wubi) here is a link for the pocket guide: http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/index_main.html
The only mistake that you made is moving too fast. You'll probably feel like a good rest from it now after your trials yesterday but don't give up - have a break and take it slowly with help from the forum and you should be OK. If I can manage it, anyone can!
Have only fairly recently got into Linux myself, with help from the lads in this forum.
As has been said, Ubuntu is a good first choice as there is masses of information available and a lively forum. Mint is very similar though so should be OK. PCLinuxOS is good too as it looks similar to Windows but Ubuntu wins hands down for support and information IMO.
My first foray into Linux was with Wubi http://wubi-installer.org/ so now that you have got XP running again if you could create approximately a 10GB partition you could install this on it safe in the knowledge that you can just delete it via Add/Remove Programmes.
It is also a good idea to put the live CD in the drive and boot up from it just to see if all your hardware is compatible with Linux.
If you fancy a try with Ubuntu (but do it via Wubi) here is a link for the pocket guide: http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/index_main.html
The only mistake that you made is moving too fast. You'll probably feel like a good rest from it now after your trials yesterday but don't give up - have a break and take it slowly with help from the forum and you should be OK. If I can manage it, anyone can!
Linux Mint is quite a good choice for a newbie to Linux. It is based on Ubuntu, but includes useful things like audio and video codecs installed by default. I would agree with Artificer that a dual boot setup would give you time to learn about how Linux works whilst still being productive with Windows if necessary. Don't wipe the hard drive, but just boot from the Linux Mint CD. The installer will detect the presence of Windows and offer you the choice of setting up a dual boot. Once it has finished it even offers you the option of downloading a basic but helpful beginner's guide, which tells you how to install software, amongst other things. It installs lots of useful software for you as standard, though, so you might not need to install very much.
Once you get used to the idea of installing software through the built in package manager rather than downloading it first then you should find it easy enough. Or, at least, no more difficult and frustrating than Windows can be sometimes
Once you get used to the idea of installing software through the built in package manager rather than downloading it first then you should find it easy enough. Or, at least, no more difficult and frustrating than Windows can be sometimes
Hi,
yeah i agree ive went into this feet first,what can i say?was over confident,anyway got my copy of linux mint and tried booting it up from the cd rather than wiping my harddrive,But the disc i got from someone on ebay is not working(either way) so im geting sent another one and i hope its here soon,was really looking forward to checking out linux mint
yeah i agree ive went into this feet first,what can i say?was over confident,anyway got my copy of linux mint and tried booting it up from the cd rather than wiping my harddrive,But the disc i got from someone on ebay is not working(either way) so im geting sent another one and i hope its here soon,was really looking forward to checking out linux mint