So I tried to install Linspre OEM and an old drive. I was hoping that I could just drop the disk in and it would format the drive and install itself like XP/Vista, but it didn't. All I got was a black screen and:

GRUB>

Is this true for every type of Linux? Does Mandrake or Ubuntu install like XP/Vista? I want to start using some of these OS's to better understand them.

Most of them install pretty much like Windows. Linux uses an odd partitioning setup, 3 partitions for the OS, but most of them have an auto type partition. Ubuntu is pretty easy. GRUB is a boot manager so you could have Linux and XP dual bootable. Try a different version. Or maybe someone here can tell you why grub is starting.

I have installed a bunch of the 'nix OS in the past. Trust me, if I can do it, you should have no problems.

you shouldn't have a grub prompt unless there is an issue with it. you shouldn't have an issue unless it's installed (incorrectly).

.......so, the question is: are you booting from the rom or hdd. either there is a bootloader on the disk and the disk is bad......or the old hdd had a previous install.






unless linspire has changed in the last few years, it sucks ass.......repositories should be free

Yea linspire was a poor excuse for inbetween. Xandrs has done a better job, but both of them are linux, they are expensive (not free) and have stupid challenges that cause them to be dumb.

ubuntu, kubuntu those are where you should be. you can even order a free cd from them to have a hard copy.

Similalry PCLinuxOS is a good choice, I played around with about 40-50 distros back in march april. There where some outstanding OS's but some others that failed the run.

Linux takes time, but ubuntu has made it quite easy to install it.

Quote: Originally Posted by Fred_G Most of them install pretty much like Windows. Linux uses an odd partitioning setup, 3 partitions for the OS, but most of them have an auto type partition. Ubuntu is pretty easy. GRUB is a boot manager so you could have Linux and XP dual bootable. Try a different version. Or maybe someone here can tell you why grub is starting. I have installed a bunch of the 'nix OS in the past. Trust me, if I can do it, you should have no problems.

3 partitions for the OS? Linux (any distro) can install with just one distro and a swap file, /boot in the root partition, most common is 2 partitions, a root partition and a swap partition. But if you're gonna fool around with more than 1 linux distro you should have a /home partition so you can keep some of your settings if you like.

@TheGreatSatan: A possible reason for the grub screen instead of the regular install screen could be that you had burned a bad disc, OR you did mention it was an OEM install so it could be meant to accompany a 'quick install' sheet for tech's where all they do is enter in certain command or two like:
grub> linspire install

Or something to that effect.

If you download your iso's make sure to check the md5 checksum to ensure your download was not corrupted in anyway, I have made many coasters by not checking the md5 checksum before burning.