I'm JUST getting started and need help

[caydelay]

My laptop is really crapping out lately and won't have funds to build my new rig till November. I was thinking of installing Damn Small Linux as it seems pretty straight forward. How on Earth do I install and get started? I heard I need to make sure it has a GUI and I would prefer running it off a disk to try it out. Any other OS I could try or any help you could offer, thanks!

[berks]

To boot any OS off a disk you will need a "Live" version of the distribution, this can usually be sourced through their website. Most versions of Linux I know at the moment have a GUI (or at least the ability to run one) so I doubt that will be a problem.
I would also recommend you try Puppy Linux as it is relatively small distribution and has the ability to run from a CD.

[Victor Leigh]

To boot any OS off a disk you will need a "Live" version of the distribution, this can usually be sourced through their website. Most versions of Linux I know at the moment have a GUI (or at least the ability to run one) so I doubt that will be a problem.
I would also recommend you try Puppy Linux as it is relatively small distribution and has the ability to run from a CD.

I prefer to run Puppy Linux from a pendrive. Reason being that I can save the session on a pendrive. Then when I start again, I don't have to configure everything all over again.

[pane-free]

. . . Any other OS I could try or any help you could offer, thanks!

antiX-M11-i686 Base install may suit your needs -- minimal, only a WM, Debian-based so repos are huge, good support; Runs well on most anything (doesn't need a lot of RAM).

[Bill]

What are the symtoms of your computer problems? If we can figure out what the problem is, you may be able to fix it without replacing the whole computer. Or, we might be able to suggest some temporary remedies.