Newbie installing Linux on a Acer Aspire 5610z?

Question

I'm seriously sick of Windows, especially after the latest round of updates killed my internet connection. That's just one problem among many... so I'm done.

I have never installed nor used Linux before, but I hear it's better and safer than Windows. I have an Acer laptop I want to install it on, but I have some questions first.

What's the easiest (and preferably smallest) version to get? I know that no version is exactly 'easy', but I've only ever used Windows, so the most simple one is probably best for me.

Obviously I've never installed something like this before, so can anyone tell me what all to expect or do? Like if certain drivers don't work, how do I fix it? I've fixed drivers before, but it was always with the Windows disks that came with the comp..... does Linux run okay with most drivers and whatnot?

I know I can get drivers from acer.com, but the ones for my comp say Windows under the OS title.... so will downloading those and installing them do anything at all if Linux couldn't run them in the first place?

Also, do you need to run a firewall and anti-virus on Linux? I've read conflicting answers on other websites, so I have no idea. Would Zone Alarm or AVG even work on Linux? What about other windows only programs? Is there a free program to make them work on Linux?

If, in the end, I completely mess up the comp (or simply can't get used to Linux) can I reinstall Vista and have the computer as it was before I messed around with it? I know about the live CD's for trying things out, but knowing my luck everything will run fine until it's actually installed.

Sadly that's happened to me before with other things, so I can't rule it out lol

My laptop:

Aspire 5610-2762

CPU : Pentium M T2080 (1.73GHz / 1M)

LCD : 15.4" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite

MEMORY : 2GB DDR2

HDD : 160GB

ODD : DVD Super Multi Double Layer

Modem : 56K

LAN : 10/100 Base T

Wireless LAN : 802.11b/g

Softload : Windows Vista Home Premium

Any and all help is appreciated... and feel free to talk to me as if I'm a 3 year old, lol that's probably the best way for me to understand any of this ;o)

Answer 1

What's the easiest (and preferably smallest) version to get?

Ubuntu or Mint. Mint is slightly easier as some important components of it are already set up.

does Linux run okay with most drivers and whatnot?

You need to understand that some hardware manufacturers do not make linux drivers, which means that in such instances drivers will have to be open source if available. sometimes this means giving up on some functionality. An example might be a printer/scanner unit plugged into the machine. You may not have the same quality drivers and some of the functions may not work as well as the windows drivers allow it to.

It really depends on your hardware. If its all fairly common stuff it will probably be ok.

so will downloading those and installing them do anything at all if Linux couldn't run them in the first place?

There are ways of getting some windows drivers for some devices to work in linux. for the most part you will need linux drivers though. Many of these are built into the kernel already

Would Zone Alarm or AVG even work on Linux?

No. Personally I never bothered adding firewalls. my reading was that the proprietary setups for the distros I was using were ok. As far as av goes, there are a couple available, if you want to install one.

If, in the end, I completely mess up the comp (or simply can't get used to Linux) can I reinstall Vista and have the computer as it was before I messed around with it?

Yep. As long as you have an install disk u can do whatever with linux and just whack windoze back on again if and when you want to.

Best thing you could do from here is google the distro you want to use and the model of your pc. You will see if there are any hardware recognision issues. Looks like there's something going on with the touchpad on your machine and ubuntu, but you will need to do the reading yourself...

Answer 2

why not try a dual boot option that way you'll have both vista and linux the best way to install linux is with the free wubi installer it's approved by linux wubi.org and choose side by side

Answer 3

Ubuntu would definitely be best for you. It's very easy to use and should have no problem with it.

It will find your drivers automatically in most cases (more consistently than windoze). And 99% of the time, if it can't find the right one, it will use a working one.

and no, you will never need an anti virus, or a firewall. Spyware, viruses, attacks, authentication keys, defragmenting and ctrl+alt+del will be a distant memory.

You can run windows programs in a prog called WINE.

And yes, if all else fails, you can reinstall vista, but you wont want to.