Why should I use Linux?

[Dilbert]

Writing the .iso at the fastest it will let me - 10x. I'll report back.

[Dilbert]

Still, my keyboard locks up at the prompt. I got it from here:

http://us.releases.ubuntu.com/releases/kubuntu/breezy/

I used the download that says "for almost all computers". I do have an AMD Athlon 64 processor; should I use that instead?

[Dilbert]

I set it to Nero's inbuilt driver. But I can't find Nero Burning ROM! I can only find the Nero Express!

[GX1_Man]

Nero Express can burn ISO's as well. Same procedure, just choose ISO's rather than the Nero format.

A 64 bit version sounds a better fit for you, but is not mandatory.

[Dilbert]

Oh I get it. When it ejected I took the disc out. Apparently Nero wasn't done with it yet.

[edit]OK, it's verifying the contents and it's getting a lot of read errors. Is this normal for Linux discs?[/edit]

[Dilbert]

I am very sorry that I've been gone so long. My folks sprung a nature hike on me. I'd prefer to set up Linux instead (sheesh, I forgot a jacket and got HAILED on) and when I tried to boot from CD it froze at the beginning again.

OK. Which of these programs should I use? I'm tired of guessing.

[GX1_Man]

Nero

[Dilbert]

I've been using that. I always selected Drive Image, that last option. I'm gonna try making a Bootable Data Disc - it's the only other one that makes any sense.

[Rob Pomeroy]

Nope.  No no no.  You don't need to make the burn session yourself.  Just leave the file with an ISO extension, then in Nero, cancel the  wizard.  File-->Open-->Files of type :Image files (*.nrd, *.iso, *.cue).  In the dialogue box, ensure "Finalize CD" is checked.  Personally I would burn at 2x or 4x, for maximum compatibility.  It is worthwhile with OS installation CDs.

GX1_Man mentioned MD5.  In the download are for the ISO files, you'll also see a file called "md5sums" or something like that.  This file contains checksums calculated against the image files.  You can use this to check for corruption during download (essential on such a large download).  You compute an MD5 checksum against the image file, and then match it against the one in the md5sums file.  If there is any difference, you have a corrupted download and will need to get the whole thing again.

You can use MD5Summer to calculate the checksum.  Note that I have never used that program (I always use a Linux tool to check MD5 sums) and cannot make any guarantees about it.  It LOOKS like it will do the job.

[Dilbert]

I can't figure out where to cancel the wizard. And I never get the chance to "finalize CD". I'm sorry if I'm being a pain, but can I have a step-by-step? I'm at the beginning, where it asks "What do you want to do?"

Again, I'm sorry. I know this should be simple but for me it's not. I'm normally computer literate, but this is Greek to me.

[Rob Pomeroy]

Hmm...  I'm not sure we have the same version of Nero.  Anyway, there's a simple solution to your problem.  Use DeepBurner Free instead.  Much easier.

[Dilbert]

No more Nero momma no more Nero momma no more Nero momma...

/me sucks thumb

I tried downloading the Nero 7 Demo to see if I could get it to work, but no luck. So I uninstalled it (It made me uninstall Nero Express. Good thing I can reinstall it later)

Alright... I'm trying DeepBurner... I'll report back in a bit. No chance of a surprise hike at 10:00 PM...

[Fed]

PC Magazines often have free linux disks with them.

[Dilbert]

I tried again. I booted from CD and got a screen that says KUBUNTU at the top. Underneath, it said to type server and hit ENTER for a base install; ENTER for a full install. Underneath there was a prompt that said "boot" and there was a prompt. But this prompt was not flashing. Pressing ENTER did nothing. I waited a couple, but nothing happened.

I have the patience for ONE more attempt tonight. After that, I'm going to bed. I burned at 10X, the fastest it would let me. I selected "burn an ISO" when DB started. Anyone got any ideas?

[Rob Pomeroy]

Suggestion at this point: try a different distro.  Eg. VectorLinux.