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Method |
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Method World Chat Champion
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 12:38 - 17 Feb 2006 Post subject: XP vs Linux... |
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Right basically my laptop is getting to the point now where its realy realy difficult to do anything on it.
Its about 4 years old now and pretty knackered. The CD drive does not work anymore, the drivers are messed and wont re-install, i tried an external cd drive aswell - installed drivers but they became corrupt again.
So i now have the question:
Should i remove Windows, and install a version of Linux?
Now i dont know much about linux, i have been playing with it a small amount at college and it appears to be rather difficult to do simple things, not the same "click and go" thing that im used to with windows... How easy is it to pick up?
Are there any versions of LInux that are pretty much the same as Windows to use?
Would i still be able to run my Windows 95 Version of Rainbow Six Original on it?
How easy is it to install and set up a wireless network USB stick and connect to my AOL broadband through it?
Just basic things like that... if anyone could advise i would be very gratefull!
(PS: I cant reformat and install windows because the CD Rom drivers are messed, therefore would be able to format the disk, but not install Windows again from the cd, whereas i can download linux and install from that i would suppose?) ____________________ CBT Aug '03 ... Gilera GSM 50 ... Honda NSR 125 Aug '04 ...
Full Test Dec 04... Suzuki GS500 Jan 05... Suzuki SV650 Mar 07... Gixxer 6 K5 May 08... Oh and my 'Rado
My Bikepics.com - No Brakes, No Gears... No Fear. |
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Suzuki |
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Suzuki Roger
Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 12:41 - 17 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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Linux is brilliant, but sadly not incredibly noob-friendly.
If you're willing to put the time and effort into finding out how to do things, then you'll soon change your opinion about windows being easier or quicker to do things with.
However, as an "out of the box" thing, to somebody who's not familiar with it, Linux isn't that friendly.
I'd recommend Redhat's free OS, Fedora. If you need any help, give me a shout. ____________________ <Simple> no I'm shaven Jon
<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map |
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numark1 |
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numark1 Scared of girls
Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :
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veeeffarr |
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veeeffarr Super Spammer
Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Method |
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Method World Chat Champion
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 12:45 - 17 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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So would i still be able to run my stuff on it? Eg games and that designed for windows? ____________________ CBT Aug '03 ... Gilera GSM 50 ... Honda NSR 125 Aug '04 ...
Full Test Dec 04... Suzuki GS500 Jan 05... Suzuki SV650 Mar 07... Gixxer 6 K5 May 08... Oh and my 'Rado
My Bikepics.com - No Brakes, No Gears... No Fear. |
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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Posted: 12:48 - 17 Feb 2006 Post subject: Re: XP vs Linux... |
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Method wrote: | Should i remove Windows, and install a version of Linux? |
I would say not unless you want to do software development for linux or something. Its fairly unusable unless you really know what you are doing. The GUI's are OK, but they aren't very supported, and don't do a great deal unless you are using large networks or whatever.
Method wrote: |
Now i dont know much about linux, i have been playing with it a small amount at college and it appears to be rather difficult to do simple things, not the same "click and go" thing that im used to with windows... How easy is it to pick up? |
Easy enough if you use it every day. Its not generally used for the same things that windows is, and it isn't self configuring. You'll need to configure your own CDROM drivers and graphics drivers etc for a laptop I would have thought. This may even require recompiling the kernel which isn't a novices thing
Method wrote: |
Are there any versions of LInux that are pretty much the same as Windows to use? | Umm, there are one or two windows esque front ends, but they still need configuration - and a lot of it. Such examples are :Xwindows for Red Hat/Fedora and Gnome
Method wrote: | Would i still be able to run my Windows 95 Version of Rainbow Six Original on it? |
No.
Method wrote: |
How easy is it to install and set up a wireless network USB stick and connect to my AOL broadband through it? | Hard unless the Kernel you download comes pre compiled with the driver, which I sincerely doubt.
Nothing beats the device support of Windows XP, and TBH these days its pretty secure and stable.
Method wrote: |
(PS: I cant reformat and install windows because the CD Rom drivers are messed, therefore would be able to format the disk, but not install Windows again from the cd, whereas i can download linux and install from that i would suppose?) |
No. When you install Linux you generally have to do so from CD because the first stage of set up involves you repartitioning your hard disk. This would remove the NTFS file system and all of the files including your downloaded copy of Linux.
Personally I'd either concentrate on getting the CDROM working, or just re install windows and hope that it is a software fault rather than a hardware fault. If this is the case, windows should install fine and your CDROM will work. If its a hardware fault, I'd throw it in the bin and buy a new one.
HTH ____________________ British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another. |
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Suzuki |
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Suzuki Roger
Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :
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veeeffarr |
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veeeffarr Super Spammer
Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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Skunkcap Freddie |
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Skunkcap Freddie Brolly Dolly
Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Karma :
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innominate |
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innominate Brolly Dolly
Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 13:15 - 17 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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Check out Ubuntu.
Its Linux for Windows users (ie me)
Installed it on the downstairs PC & it installed all the drivers for me automatically for my wireless card.
Video/Sound codecs were the most difficult bit.
However if you can read forums and understand english you will be able to sort out any issues in a few hours.
Imho, its worth it just to get a feel for how Linux works.
The above version should install itself with a nice windows like front end. ____________________ I, as a responsible adult human being, will never concede the power to anyone to regulate my choice of what I put into my body, or where I go with my mind. From the skin inwards is my jurisdiction, is it not? I choose what may or may not cross that border. Here I am the customs agent. I am the coast-guard. I am the sole legal and spiritual government of this territory, and only the laws I choose to enact within myself are applicable. |
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Kram |
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Kram World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 14:23 - 17 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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ok,you've convinced me. lol
i got a spare, pc that i might put ubuntu(?) on, but do i just use all the drivers disks i got with all my hardware, to install drivers/software?
also do games still work on it? (like installing need for speed most wanted )
also: i connect to a wireless network to get internet and stuff, would i still be able to access the windows pcs on the network? (file share/print/play games) ____________________ FS1E -> SR125 -> CB400N -> CB650 -> FZR600 Genises -> VFR400 NC21 -> CBR900RR Fireblade -> Renault Clio 1.4 |
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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Skunkcap Freddie |
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Skunkcap Freddie Brolly Dolly
Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 14:31 - 17 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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Drummer wrote: | ok,you've convinced me. lol
i got a spare, pc that i might put ubuntu(?) on, but do i just use all the drivers disks i got with all my hardware, to install drivers/software?
also do games still work on it? (like installing need for speed most wanted )
also: i connect to a wireless network to get internet and stuff, would i still be able to access the windows pcs on the network? (file share/print/play games) |
installing games with great difficutly. you can use some software called cedega which basically emulates windows so you can install the game on there.
certain distro's of linux will have protocols built in that you can view your other systems on your windows network and vice versa |
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Kram |
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Kram World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :
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Suzuki |
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Suzuki Roger
Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 15:02 - 17 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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Yes. ____________________ <Simple> no I'm shaven Jon
<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map |
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Kram |
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Kram World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :
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illusion |
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illusion Scooby Slapper
Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 13:45 - 18 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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If you decide to put it on and you get any troubles bring it over mine mate, I'm a certified geek ____________________ My bike |
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Kram |
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Kram World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 18:46 - 18 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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i've installed it, and running perfect(ish).
it's just it changed the resolution to 640x480 and i cant change it ____________________ FS1E -> SR125 -> CB400N -> CB650 -> FZR600 Genises -> VFR400 NC21 -> CBR900RR Fireblade -> Renault Clio 1.4 |
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Nath |
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Nath World Chat Champion
Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 20:22 - 18 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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If you want to play fps games on linux, your options are:
Quake 1, Quake 2, Quake 3, RTCWolfenstein, UT.
Quake 2 in particular runs very well with nvidia cards (better than it does on Windows). Half Life used to run quite well under Wine, but I would avoid going down that route if I were you.
Drummer
Off the top of my head, you specify resolutions you want enabled in a config file in the /etc directory (something like /etc/XF86conf), and then can switch between them with a key combination (possibly 'ctrl' and '+'/'-'). I haven't used a unix OS properly for a few years now - I wouldn't recommend Linux to people who just want a computer that works. But if you want to learn about how things work, then it'll be right up your street. ____________________ Hard livin', hard luck. |
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mr.z |
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mr.z World Chat Champion
Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 20:49 - 18 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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So still no idiot compliant linux
Had a couple of trys with a few distros, could use it fine, but coudln't get past installing ANYTHING or codecs.. which is crap really because it would have done great for the very few things thats asked of it.. real shame..
Never mind, might look again in another year or two ____________________ >RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes< |
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Nath |
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Nath World Chat Champion
Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 21:16 - 18 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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mr.z wrote: | Had a couple of trys with a few distros, could use it fine, but coudln't get past installing ANYTHING or codecs.. |
Use Debian. To download and install a program, say for example the IRC client 'Xchat', you would type:
apt-get install xchat
The downside is that you have to be comfortable with a command-line (text) interface to use Debian, both for the install process, and to make use of its best features. However if you aren't willing to learn to use the shell (text interface), then Linux probably isn't for you.
The strength of Linux is in its popularity. All IRC networks will have a channel #linux where you will be able to get help with things. There are also loads of 'Linux User Groups'(LUGs) in the UK, which are local mailing-list based clubs. The Nottingham LUG is very active, and if you ask for help on the mailing list you are sure to get a response. ____________________ Hard livin', hard luck. |
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Kram |
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Kram World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :
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pipnet11 |
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pipnet11 Brolly Dolly
Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 22:59 - 19 Feb 2006 Post subject: |
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Quote: | is there anyway of writing to my NTFS drives, or will it always be just read only? |
As far as I know its still read only. This will almost certainly change though, a few years ago you couldnt even read them.
IMO Linux is descent if you are prepared to put in the effort. I still find Windows XP easier, faster, and just as stable as SuSE, Fedora, and Ubuntu distros which I have tried. If you want to run a server for anything however it is fantastic (including a windows network, which was surprisingly easy, and windows caused most problems not Linux).
MacOS I have been changed on very quickly. I have seen it running Win XP at a very respectable speed via emulation. That was on a Mac Mini and I was impressed after my previous experience of it being terrible.
As you have probably found, Linux will do almost everything that windows will do, and will even try to look like it, but will do it slowly unless you do some serious system tweaking. This was the sort of stuff I could not be bothered to put the effort into, and now I havn't got a spare computer so it isnt likely to happen soon. ____________________ I love the girls that do, I hate the girls that dont, I hate the girls who say they will and then they say they wont, but the girl I like most of all and I think youll say Im right, is the girl who says she never has but looks as though she might. - Max Bygraves |
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colin1 |
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colin1 Captain Safety
Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 18 years, 112 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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