Hello. After seeing numerous references to Linux while browsing CH threads, I finally decided to check it out. So, I made myself a SLAX Standard Edition v 5.1.7b CD. It boots, (reminds me of old PCs, like on TV: no graphics, just blocky words...). So anyway, here's my question: Now what?? My searching skills must need some real work, because I can't find the instructions! I don't expect CH members to try and teach me via this forum, but can someone direct me to the instructions? By the way, my wife and I happen to like XP; I just thought it would be good to have for the types of emergencies that members like GX1_Man and ROB Pomeroy recommend it for. Thank you to all who are probably going to point me to what should be obvious... When it boots, you have to type in xconf (I think, but it will say on screen. This selects your graphics adapter properly.) Next you type in startx. You should have a nice graphical screen not blocky letters, etc.

Does this help? Please post your system hardware.GX1: I have an HP Pavilion a1220n with the Home edition of XP SP2. Are there more technical specs that you're interested in? Because I have Belarc and can look up what you wish. Also, may I ask: Changing or configuring anything won't make XP stop working, will it? If I understand correctly, the idea behind the Linux is that you can use it strictly from the disc. I do not wish to install it on my computer. Thank you. That is correct. There are NO files written to your hard drive. Once you reboot, with the CD removed you will get XP back as always (for better or worse )

Graphics adapter, # of hard drives, and optical drives present would be helpful.I'm SORRY, GX1; you experts just have to walk us new guys through EVERYTHING, don't you? I know that I only have one hard drive (it's just a plain, ordinary PC bought as a complete system at the computer store). However, I don't see anything specifically labeled as "Graphics Adaptor" or "Optical Drives" in my Belarc results. Should I be accessing this data elsewhere? Thank you.

By the way: the hard drive is divided into 3 SECTIONS: C drive (main computer); D drive (HP recovery data); and ACRONIS secret zone. Optical drives are CDROM, CDRW's etc. Anything with a tray that pops out. Actully, I followed your first instructions in the reverse order. Entering the xconf and startx commands worked. At that point, I would have realized myself that the CD worked, and you wouldn't be needing the specs for my system after all. Sorry about that. Since I'm here, though... Interesting. It works quite like windows, doesn't it? Don't think there will be much that I will be doing with it, though. Brought up the CH home page with Konquerer (or however it was spelled) just for fun. Seems as though it would be a waste of time to set up anything, as all would be deleted the moment the CD was ejected, wouldn't it? That's okay, though. Now I just need to learn how to do the one thing that I wanted it for: copying files to discs, should I ever need to. Also, it's nice to know that I could use it to come here for help if I ever (let's hope never) need to! Thank you, GX_1 Man. You're welcome. Linux is also nice when installed, but that's another rant. I certainly have the GB for it. Two more months until my first year with my computer; I'm up to a whopping 9% of disc space used! I may consider it one of these days if I'm FEELING adventurous and want to learn how to make partitions... I think partitions; if that's not right, you know what I mean. I love Linux (just for the record). I'd recommend you grab a well known distro (such as Ubuntu) and install it. If you get stuck anywhere just drop by here or stop by their forums...they have some GREAT support.Be sure to bookmark the >Linux Documentation Project<.