VMware Workstation v4.5.2 Build 8848

[Duece On Eight]

Hey,

This afternoon I downloaded this "VMware Workstation" to use whenever my dial-up connection finish's downloading "SUSE-Linux-10.2 mini ISO". So now the question: is this software good for doing what I think I am doing? Let me explain here; not realizing that I did not have the entire download earlier (before this last time of downloading) I ran this software and from what I had downloaded came up the SUSE boot window perfectly with the obvious choices, to boot from, etc, etc. Well seeing that I didn't know I had the entire download I didn't get to far.

Biggest thing was that I had to change my graphic settings from 32 bit to what I had left was either 16 or 4 bit. The program said I had to change it to a 8 bit with I think 600 x 450 pixels if I am stating this correctly. The short of it is why, and because I had to change the graphic setting in display it completely fudged my Windows XP to an unbelievable pixelized mess.

Also it took me almost the entire day to get it back having to roll back the graphic file to something prior, which was the only way I could get back to a Screen resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels color quality of Highest (32 bit).

Of course I am not a seasoned Linux user, in fact I have been dying the last few years to try this but am deathly afraid of the command box and no nothing of DOS so you can see my reason's. So I saw this software as stated above, thought "hey" this sounds like my chance to try "Linux".

And of course I did with some horrible consequences. Anyone out there ever have something like this go on? Us Window people more than likely would love to have the chance at trying Linux to see the difference between the 2 OS. I know Windows is bloated and a clicker's paradise and all, but seriously folks I at the moment am trying another dire attempt and downloading this "SUSE-Linux-10.2 mini ISO" again at 65.8mb.

If I am successfull this time which I think I will succeed, what do I do next? Now before anyone jumps on in, let me be specific here:

I need someone who has patience to guide me every step of the way, and I mean every step of the way, from "A-Z". Now if anyone wouldn't mind, is there someone out there willing to help another Window's person cross over into Linux-Land?

Just a few spec's now: I am running Window's XP (OEM) on a HP with 21 gigs left out of 40, and 768 mb of ram and around 368 mb left to spare for another OS even if it's a mini one. No extra partitions, just "C", "D", "A", "F", and that's it. Don't really want to break that up. Incidently this VMware software is supposed to do exactly that without partitioning anything, you just burn the ISO and insert it and you can run off the cd supposedly.

Hope you'all don't mind the extended thread here as I really have no other place to go for help except here or the other ISO forum. With a 56kb modem it should take me at least the rest of the night to get the complete download of "65.8mb". So if anyone has the time could you either reply here on this forum or give me a detailed email sent to: [email protected]

I couldn't begin to thank the person if he or she decide's to take this venture on, for it would really be one of kind favor that could not be appreciated enough.

Thx you'all for allowing me to air this out here....HELP ME PLEASE!!!

[nick]

Wow, long post...

I'm not going to be able to walk you through an install of SUSE, but I can offer some suggestions.

I looked up what a SUSE mini ISO is, and it appears to be a minimal SUSE installer, which means that during the install you will have to provide the rest of the packages (probably by download, hundreds of megs, if not thousands) to complete the install. So even when you get the ISO, you'll still have to spend hours downloading the rest of the pacakges during the install.

Now, since you found the LiveCD Forums, let me explain one of the great things about Linux LiveCDs: you don't have to install them. No VMware, no repartitioning, no worrying about losing or messing up your Windows data. After you download a LiveCD ISO, you burn it to a CD, and reboot your computer. Your computer will boot from the CD (instead of the hard drive), bringing you into Linux. You don't even need a hard drive with a LiveCD.

Since you're on a modem, it'll be difficult (but not impossible) to download full 700MB ISOs. DamnSmallLinux is a good one to try, as it is only 50 MB. If you want to experience a full KDE or Gnome Linux environment, Knoppix or Gnoppix are worth getting. Try using a download manager that can resume downloads after you disconnect from the internet (Flashget? Anyone know of a good windows one?). You can also order burned LiveCDs over the net for a few bucks each.