i'm a tech noob. i don't get how installation works : (

ohhaythar

i'm currently trying to install ubuntu. to do this, i found out i need to get a zip file opener. i found 7-zip, and ran the file, and in the end all it did was save a file in my programs... i have no idea how to use this file. this is where i need help. i'm a tech noob, and i'm sure this is a highly simplistic problem, but this is why i don't download stuff, because i have absolutely no idea what to do with them after they're saved to my drive. can someone tell me how to make an icon out of this file, and actually use 7-zip.

i don't think it matters, but i'm using vista at the moment.
i'm currently trying to install ubuntu. to do this, i found out i need to get a zip file opener. i found 7-zip, and ran the file, and in the end all it did was save a file in my programs... i have no idea how to use this file. this is where i need help. i'm a tech noob, and i'm sure this is a highly simplistic problem, but this is why i don't download stuff, because i have absolutely no idea what to do with them after they're saved to my drive. can someone tell me how to make an icon out of this file, and actually use 7-zip.

i don't think it matters, but i'm using vista at the moment.

jclast

If you downloaded the file I think you did you just need to double-click on it (like you would any other icon to launch a program). This will launch the installer. After that, 7-Zip will be available in the context menu (right-click) and you can unzip files that way.

If this is where you are getting stuck though you might want to have a buddy come over who has installed or used Linux before to run you through it. You will need more than the basic knowledge that you seem to lack in order to use Ubuntul.

warban

So is it an ISO file?

I'm not familiar with which file you downloaded but the ISO usually needs to be imaged onto a cd or dvd.

locopostal

oddly enough, I am also installing Ubuntu tonight. The file I downloaded, as most of the distro files are, was an ISO, which does need to be burned to disc. Instructions on that are found here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto
otherwise, yeah, the file i downloaded did have the same icon as my .zip files.

ohhaythar

ugh... this is just what i was affraid of. this is looking like it is going to be too complicated for me to try. can someone recommend a zip program i can use for free. i used to use winzip but now it's going to make me pay for it. i honestly have no idea what i'm doing. i don't even know if having this zip software is necessary for installing linux.

jclast

Use 7-zip. You already have it downloaded.

Improvolone

Stop everything.
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
Use that, I prefer it with a flash drive.

ohhaythar

jclast wrote: »

Use 7-zip. You already have it downloaded.

but i can't do anything with it. it's just a file with a bunch of html stuff. i'll take a screen shot of it here in a second. maybe that will show you guys my exact problem (or my stupidity).

Improvolone

ohhaythar wrote: »

jclast wrote: »

Use 7-zip. You already have it downloaded.

but i can't do anything with it. it's just a file with a bunch of html stuff. i'll take a screen shot of it here in a second. maybe that will show you guys my exact problem (or my stupidity).

You must have missed my post, or you read it and didn't want to try something new.

Look, heres the deal, unetbootin is awesome. You download unetbootin, tell it what .iso flavor of Linux you want loaded on your bootable drive, and it does the work for you.

warban

Whats your goal btw? Do you just want to see what ubuntu is like? Or actually want to replace your whole operating system? Or run it as a recovery CD?

I'm tempted to recommend vmware instead. Installing anything ubuntu seems above your understanding seeing as vista comes with a built in zip client in the OS anyway......

A VM Ubuntu client might be another option. VMware is basicly a computer running within a VMware Client. If you just wanting to see what Ubuntu is like without the hassle of installing any Operating systems I would look into doing this instead.

VMware player.
http://www.vmware.com/products/player/

Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop with VMware Tools.
http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/1224

ohhaythar

Improvolone wrote: »

ohhaythar wrote: »

jclast wrote: »

Use 7-zip. You already have it downloaded.

but i can't do anything with it. it's just a file with a bunch of html stuff. i'll take a screen shot of it here in a second. maybe that will show you guys my exact problem (or my stupidity).

You must have missed my post, or you read it and didn't want to try something new.

Look, heres the deal, unetbootin is awesome. You download unetbootin, tell it what .iso flavor of Linux you want loaded on your bootable drive, and it does the work for you.

yeah, i was making my post before your was up. i'm trying it now. i'll post whether or not i managed to fuck it up or not in a bit : )

ohhaythar

ok i downloaded the thing with my usb in. i restarted my computer, what do i do now?

ohhaythar

so yeah. i'm kinda confused. i have all the linux files on my usb. when i click on install icon, it tells me i need to reboot my computer with the install cd?? im going to take a wild guess that that means i need to put all the files i had on my usb on my cd and boot up my computer. yeah, i might be wrong about this. cuz if that is indeed the case, then i don't have a cd with enough space lol (of course).

s_86

-

ohhaythar

i asked a friend, and he told me instead of screwing with cd's, he said i can change the way my computer boots up, so it'll boot up my usb first and with it my linux files. the problem with this is that i have to access the BIOS which i can by pressing f10. the thing i don't get is how i change my settings to the usb drive.

mooshoepork

In the bios to go the boot menu, and select the USB drive as the first boot priority.

ohhaythar

alright. i got ubuntu working. this is (most likely) my last problem: how do i connect wirelessly. i connected, and typed in my wep key, but it never finds it.

Improvolone

What wifi card do you have?
Not sure? Google "what wifi card do I have" or something similar. Then, google "______ wifi ubuntu", and follow whatever directions they give you.
You're going to have questions about Linux, and since your answers are probably already out there its really worth it if you go check it out.

Eriic

I would not recommend any form of linux to a person who is not computer savvy. Linux can be a very fun and rewarding operating system if you want to take the time to learn how to use it, but odds are that you will often have issues where you need to do fancy technical shit to get things to work on it. Despite what many linux enthusiasts will lead you to believe, linux just isn't very user-friendly at all, and sometimes things don't "just work" the way they do in Windows. I assume this issue could be infinitely more frustrating for a non-techie.

Improvolone

Once Linux is set up it can be great for a non-enthusiast. As long as the Linux box isn't the only one in the house, I don't see a major problem.

locopostal

Improvolone wrote: »

Once Linux is set up it can be great for a non-enthusiast. As long as the Linux box isn't the only one in the house, I don't see a major problem.

i am vaguely tech savvy and Ubuntu was almost ridiculously easy to set up. Dare I say..easier than Windows! but yeah, getting it installed, making sure i wasn't going to accidentally overwrite another drive, and some of the other stuff..got a little difficult. The OS was online the second after it first booted, though. didn't even have to fiddle with networks. I don't even know if I have a networking..control panel thing. I should find out.