I'm female and 63 almost 64. Been on computers 10 years now since 2003. Started with win 2000, then xp, then vista, then xp. My xp tower had bios problems with acpi not complaint and couldn't fix it. My neighbor gave me Xubuntu 10.04 disk to try. I had completely wiped the harddrive. Well, I couldn't get updates or watch videos. Then, he gave me Ubuntu 12.04 and my usb mouse wouldn't work at all. Don't know why. Have never been inside a computer so have learned on my own about computers the last 10 years.

I searched the distrowatch website. I only have cd-roms and not dvd's so couldn't download Mint. Got debian 7.0. Installed 11.2 flash and still cannot watch videos! I am on social security disability so cannot afford to buy a new computer. Someone told me Debian 7.0 is too hard for me and is intermediate. They also said my not being able to watch videos was because of my bios. Am here to learn and maybe find a system that works.

Welcome again. Lubuntu might be a good alternative to you, it should fit on a CD:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu/GetLubuntu

It's based on Ubuntu, but uses the LXDE desktop, which is lightweight and fast.

I don't think it's a problem with the desktop or the distro. Dix does not know what apps to run or how to set them up. think she is total Linux newbie.

Why don't you bug the neighbor that inflicted Linux on you for some help with learning it? By "inflicted" I am not expressing an opinion about Linux, I'm expressing an opinion about your neighbor who sprang Linux on an unsuspecting Windows user.

Welcome, dix! Hopefully this will prove to be a good place for you and we can help you out!

You'd think, or like to think, that a distribution based on Ubuntu or Xubuntu would be good, easy to install, virtually automatic to configure, easy to customize and practically automatic to run. I've seen some xubuntu systems that do quite well in that regard. But if you are having hardware problems, chances are, they will persist unless someone knows enough and has enough time to guard and guide you through the process. For most of us, it either installs, or it's time to try something else.

If you want to try something else, with the idea that it *might* drop in and work, give antiX a try; there are three editions: the main or "Full" distribution, the Base, a system that provides a fairly complete infrastructure, but very little application software, so that you can customize it to what you want to use, and Core, a version with only the base operating system and core utilities, no desktop, just a system image and configuration tools, with very little in the sway of applications, instead just a good, non graphical set of installation and configuration tools, especially designed to start up and run well on a variety of older desktop and server components.

I believe that my signature contain information about antiX and how to obtain the software.

Be nice, if you don't have something constructive and helpful to offer folks on help threads, then steer clear of them. (devil) (fail)

Welcome to the forum dix!

Debian is darned good but not the easiest of systems for a person new to Linux. Let me make still another suggestion. Now stay with me -------

Let's look at a Linux version that is designed to be run directly from the CD. That means it is designed to adjust to a wide range of hardware. This is called Puppy Linux. There are several versions. Let me suggest that you visit the Puppy web-site at http://www.puppylinux.com/

I use Puppy Slacko 5.5. But there are several versions so browse the web-site before burning. If you want to try the Slacko variant you get it at http://distro.ibiblio.org/puppylinux/puppy-5.5/

I have run this version on each of the three computers in this house. It runs on all of them. And it is very responsive and pleasant to use. Stay with the 32-bit variants because they result in a smaller live-cd once burned.

Go to the Ubuntu website or very nice instructions on how to burn a CD. You find that at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

The Debian you installed should have a cd-burner on it that will work for you. Look for brasero, k3b or xfburn. One of those will be there and they all work.

Now, burn your preferred Puppy to a CD, reboot and you should have a running system. If you are using Ethernet in some fashion to access the internet you should immediately have internet access. (You also can set up wireless, in fact) The Puppy forum is new-comer friendly and there is very good information on the Puppy website.

So now you can get started with Linux. Just let that Debian installation sit for bit. Do not wipe it. Before you know it you are going to learn how to finish setting it up and you will find it to be a very solid system on your hard-drive.

For now Puppy might furnish an easy way home. Just follow the Pooch!

bill-j

Good suggestion Bill.

Another suggestion: antiX 13.1. It also can run directly from CD, runs on old (and new) hardware, but it can also be installed, should you like it. The cost of that? A larger CD image to download and burn than Puppy.

Both are good; antiX can take you further. But Bill has a good point: Puppy is a very good starting point.
In time, you may want to look at both of them.

Hi Dixie,

Welcome to Desktop Linux Reviews Forums! There is a lot of years of knowledge here on the forums. Hopefully a few folks here can guide you in the right directions.

Another option would be to install various Linux distros using a USB thumb drive. Since you have a neighbor that is acquaintedwith using Linux, you might want to ask him if could help walk you through a USB install.

The distros I recommend for new Linux users are Linux Mint, Antix, and PCLinuxOS. These have all the codecs and multimedia features built in which you are use to using in Windows.

Hello Dixie: Well I'm 74 yrs old so that by definition means I'm Smarter???LOL.
I use Linux Mint. It is a variation of Ubuntu but in my humble opinion much easier to user.
Let me ask some questions and hope it gets you in the right direction.
First do you mean that you don't have DVD disks or that you don't have a DVD burner (both hardware and software)?
The disk that your neighbor gave - either one. When you booted up your tower did you boot from the CD Drive FIRST? I am thinking he gave you a LIVE copy which means it will run from the DVD. So having your hard disk wiped out would not effect the running of Linux. The only problem with this is every time you shut your machine off Linux will be reset to the original settings.
On Linux Mint you have to go to the task bar and ask it to connect to a network in order to get on the Web. Did you do this with Xubuntu? If not then you can't get updates or watch movies.
How did you get Debian 7.0?

What kind of hardware do you have? Windows XP is the operating system but doesn't tell us the hardware and BIOS installed.

I have Linux Mint running on two Toshiba Satellites and an old Gateway with 80gb hardrive. I recently loaded Linux Mint 15 on one Toshiba -- actually it is on a USB Solid State Drive to try it out. The other two older version work FINE!

HOpe this helps....................... Al;-)